Peter Anderson – Killed in the Line of Duty – Legends of America
Peter Anderson, a man of Potawatomi descent, lived a life intertwined with the expansion of the American West and the challenges it presented. Born in Illinois, he eventually found himself in Oklahoma, where he would tragically lose his life while serving as a temporary deputy. His story is a glimpse into the complex history of the American West, marked by cattle rustling, lawlessness, and the contributions of Native Americans in shaping the region.
Early Life and Family
Peter Anderson was born in 1845 in Peoria County, Illinois, the son of John Anderson Sr. and Mary (Trombly or Trembley) Anderson. He had an older brother, John Charles, and a sister whose name is not known. Peter’s early life was marked by loss. His father passed away in 1847 when Peter was only two years old. Shortly after, his mother moved the family to Council Bluffs, Iowa, an area where many Potawatomi people had been relocated. Tragedy struck again in 1848 when Peter’s mother died. Around 1850, Peter, his brother, their grandmother Archange Wilmot Trembley, and the rest of their tribe were moved to the Silver Lake area in Kansas. These relocations were part of a larger pattern of displacement experienced by Native American tribes during the westward expansion of the United States.
As Peter and his brother grew older, they both married women from the Potawatomi community. John married Elizabeth Hardin, and Peter later married Elizabeth’s younger sister, Julia Hardin. In the spring of 1871, Peter, Julia, John, and Elizabeth were among the first seven Potawatomi families to move to a new reservation in what is now Pottawatomie County, Oklahoma. The journey to Indian Territory was made in fourteen covered wagons, a testament to the scale of the relocation and the families’ determination to build a new life.
Peter and Julia settled into their new home, and they had seven children together. However, their happiness was cut short when Julia died during the birth of their youngest child. The responsibility of caring for the younger children fell on their oldest daughter, Isabel, who was just eleven years old at the time, with the help of other family members. Despite this personal tragedy, Peter continued to work his family’s farm near present-day Choctaw, Oklahoma, demonstrating his resilience and commitment to his family.
Oklahoma Territory: A Land of Outlaws
In the years before Oklahoma achieved statehood, the territory was known as a haven for outlaws and fugitives. The vast open spaces and sparse population made it difficult for law enforcement to maintain order. Cattle theft, bank robberies, and murders were common occurrences, creating a sense of lawlessness that permeated the region. It was in this environment that Peter Anderson found himself drawn into a confrontation that would ultimately cost him his life.
The Pursuit of John Bly
On December 25, 1890, Oklahoma County Deputy Sheriffs Frank Gault and Charles Gilbert were tasked with apprehending a man named John Bly, who was wanted for cattle theft and selling whiskey. Bly was described by The Evening Gazette as a "crack shot" with a "clear, cold, deliberate eye," suggesting a man of determination and danger. Bly and his associates had a reputation for harassing settlers and cattlemen, and their criminal activities had gone unchecked for years.
As the two deputies approached Pottawatomie County, they sought assistance from local residents. They deputized Peter Anderson, who lived near Choctaw, and another man named Frank Cook, as posse men to aid in the arrest of John Bly. Anderson, with his knowledge of the area and his Potawatomi heritage, was likely seen as a valuable asset in tracking down the elusive outlaw.
Tragedy Strikes
As the deputies neared Bly’s ranch, located about seven miles east of Choctaw, they heard the sound of gunfire. Dismounting from their horses, they cautiously approached the ranch on foot, attempting to remain undetected in the tall grass. However, their movements were not stealthy enough. John Bly opened fire on the officers, his first shot striking Peter Anderson in the head, killing him instantly.
The other officers returned fire, wounding Bly, who surrendered and was taken into custody. He was transported to jail in Oklahoma City to await trial. The following day, Sheriff C.H. Deferd and Deputy Gault returned to the area and arrested Bly’s brother, Givens Bly, and brother-in-law, Dick Burchfield, as accomplices in his crimes.
The death of Peter Anderson cast a shadow over the Christmas season in Oklahoma Territory. An Oklahoma Territory newspaper lamented the loss, stating, "Yesterday afternoon while the chimes of a merry Christmas were still ringing in the ears of the children of this world another bloody crime was recorded on Oklahoma’s sanguinary calendar. Another man was killed and to-day seven little children in his home mourn for him and refuse to be comforted."
Aftermath and Legacy
Following his arrest, John Bly was initially held in Kansas before being transferred to the federal prison in Guthrie, Oklahoma, to await trial. However, he died of tuberculosis in prison before he could be brought to justice for his crimes.
Peter Anderson was buried, and his children were sent to live at the Sacred Heart Mission. The exact location of his grave is unknown, but it is believed to be in Elmwood Cemetery, on land once owned by his friend Frank Cook, who was with him when he died.
In recognition of his sacrifice, Peter Anderson was honored many years later on the Oklahoma Law Enforcement Memorial, located on the west grounds of the Headquarters of the Oklahoma Department of Public Safety in Oklahoma City. The memorial serves as a reminder of the men and women who have given their lives in the line of duty, protecting the citizens of Oklahoma.
The Evening Gazette paid tribute to Peter Anderson, describing him as "well known in this city by a great many of the businessmen who speak the highest terms of him. He was a man of considerable means and well known all over the Potawatomi country."
Peter Anderson’s story is a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by individuals, including Native Americans, during the tumultuous period of westward expansion in the United States. His life, though tragically cut short, reflects the resilience, determination, and contributions of those who helped shape the history of Oklahoma and the American West.