Comanche Nation History

Provided by Barbara Gooden

The Comanches were rulers of the Great Plains in the 1700s and became known as the "Lords of the Plains" in the southern plains. Renowned for their horsemanship, the Comanches defended their land from all intruders. The introduction of the horse to Comanche people enables them to travel widely, striking terror into the hearts of their farthest enemy. It also enabled them to provide the things necessary for their families--food, shelter and clothing.

Comanche tribal government was a true democratic process, with organized bands, led by Band Chiefs, coming together as needed to discuss important issues. At one time there may have been as many as thirty-five Comanche bands, but during the nineteenth century there were five outstanding bands identified. They were the Penatuka, "Honey Eaters Band or Quick Striking Band", Yapaituka "Root Eaters Band", Noyuka "Wanderers Band", Kwaharu "Antelope Eaters Band", and the Kuutsutuka "Buffalo Eaters Band".

Spaniards and Europeans were their first outside contact, but that changed by the 1830s when white men pushed westward towards a new frontier. Many events occurred that altered the way of life for this great nation. The Treaty of Medicine Lodge, the Battle of Adobe Walls, the Jerome Agreement and the Oklahoma land openings were but a few of these events.

The Treaty of Medicine Lodge was signed in 1867 in Kansas State with the Comanche, Kiowa, Apache, the tribes were promised protection from the hunters who were killing off the buffalo. In return the government was to provide schools, churches and annuities. The tribes, in turn, were to permit railroads to be built through their lands, cease raiding and agree to live on a reservation set up for them. In addition, 38.5 million acres (60,000 square miles) were given up for a reservation that contained just over three million acres (4,800 square miles). Reservation life began for the Comanche Nation in 1869.

The Battle of Adobe Walls took place in the panhandle of Texas in 1874. Comanches, Kiowas and Cheyenne attacked the hunters who were using the abandoned fort in their quest to kill the buffalo for their hides. Although the hunters were greatly outnumbered, the Indians were defeated because of the protection offered by the fort itself and the long range buffalo rifles used by the hunters. The battle was disastrous for the Indians. By 1880 both the buffalo and a way of life for the Comanches were gone.

The Jerome Agreement of 1892 was signed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma between the United States and the Kiowa, Comanche and Apache (KCA) Tribes. The Agreement allotted each man, woman and child 160 acres which was to be held in trust for them, free from taxation. In return the Indians gave up all their lands with the exception of four tracts which contained over a half million acres (862 square miles) and agreed to accept two million dollars for the relinquished land. Bitterness resulted in that most of the Indians did not want the Agreement at all. Indian leaders involved in the negotiations asked for $2.50 an acre, but in the end they paid $1.25 per acre. By June 5, 1901, Indian land allotments were completed and this nomadic tribe of the Plains settled into the life of farmers and ranchers.

Exactly five years later, land-hungry "Boomber" forced the opening of the last remaining land held by the Indians, an area known as "The Big Pasture." Before it was opened to white settlement, the children born after the allotments of 1901 were given land. The remainder was divided into tracts for the last big land opening in Oklahoma's short history.

Comanche tribal enrollment now numbers 14,557 with approximately 7,763 members residing in the Lawton-Ft.Sill and surrounding areas of Southwest Oklahoma. The Comanche Nation complex is located nine miles north of Lawton, Oklahoma and employs about one-hundred forty-five people. Many services are available for the Comanche Nation tribal members.