The Ghost of White Woman Creek, Kansas – Legends of America
The vast plains of western Kansas hold secrets whispered on the wind, tales etched into the very landscape. Among these is the story of White Woman Creek, a waterway that meanders through Greeley, Wichita, and Scott Counties, its origins in the high country of Colorado. This seemingly ordinary creek, however, carries a name laden with history and mystery, a name forever intertwined with legends of conflict, loss, and the spectral.
A Lifeline of the Plains
White Woman Creek begins its journey in Colorado, carving its way eastward before disappearing into the White Woman Basin in Kansas. Rather than ceasing to exist, the creek flows underground, eventually joining the lifeblood of the region, the Arkansas River. This abundant underground water source was a magnet for early settlers, drawing them to the area with the promise of sustenance and prosperity.
Artist Howard Terpning, known for his historical depictions of the American West, captured the essence of this landscape, describing the White Woman Basin as an important water source for the Southern Cheyenne:
"In the 19th century in what is now western Kansas, there was an area called the White Woman Basin. In the early days, there was a creek, which meandered into the basin and at some point disappeared into the round. This creek is still on the map. The basin had many pools and springs and was an important source of water for the Southern Cheyenne, who ranged over Kansas and the surrounding country. Small parties of Cheyenne warriors would often stop with their horses for a welcome drink."
Whispers of the Past: Origins of a Name
The name "White Woman Creek" is steeped in folklore, with several narratives vying for the truth. Each story, however, speaks of a turbulent era of conflict between Native American tribes and white settlers, a time of cultural clashes and tragic consequences.
The Cheyenne Retaliation
One account tells of a Cheyenne attack on a western settlement in the late 1860s, a response to an earlier raid by white men on their camp. In the aftermath of the attack, the Cheyenne reclaimed their stolen possessions and took twelve white settlers captive – ten men and two women. As time passed, the two women integrated into the tribe, marrying Cheyenne men and embracing their new lives. One of the women, known as Anna-Wee, fell in love with Chief Tee-Wah-Nee, bearing him a son. Most of the white men also found acceptance within the tribe.
However, one man harbored a desire to return to his former life. After months of living with the Cheyenne, he managed to steal a horse and ride to Fort Wallace, located in present-day Wallace County. There, he convinced the army that the remaining white captives were being held against their will. Leading a group of soldiers back to the Cheyenne camp, the man instigated a devastating attack. The Chief and his infant son were killed in the ensuing battle. Anna-Wee, in a fit of rage and grief, retaliated by killing the man who had betrayed them. She then defended the tribal village she had come to consider home, fighting until she too was slain.
The Kidnapped Woman’s Escape
Another story recounts a raid by an Indian war party on homesteads in the 1870s. During the raid, they attacked an Army ambulance, killing the guard and kidnapping a woman traveling within. The warriors carried the woman away, and one night, while camping along a creek, she saw an opportunity to escape.
One version of the tale suggests that, fearing the tortures she had witnessed inflicted upon the ambulance driver, she chose a tragic end. Stealing a rope from the Indians while they slept, she ran to a tree on the banks of the creek and hanged herself before her captors could intervene. Another version claims that the Indians last saw her running upstream, leading to the belief that she perished somewhere on the vast prairies.
A Spectral Presence: The Legend Lives On
Regardless of which story holds the most truth, the legend of White Woman Creek has endured for over a century. Since the late 1800s, whispers of a spectral presence have circulated throughout the region. On moonlit nights, it is said that the ghost of a woman can be seen running along the now-dry creek bed, or wandering aimlessly along the old stream. Some claim to have heard her singing a mournful Indian song, a haunting melody that echoes the sorrow and tragedy of the past.
The apparition, often described as a translucent figure draped in white, is said to emanate a sense of profound sadness and despair. Witnesses report feeling a chill in the air and an overwhelming sense of unease in her presence. Some believe she is forever searching for her lost loved ones, while others believe she is reliving the trauma of her final moments.
The Enduring Allure of Legends
The story of White Woman Creek serves as a reminder of the complex and often tragic history of the American West. It speaks of the clashes between cultures, the loss of innocence, and the enduring power of the human spirit. Whether one believes in the existence of ghosts or not, the legend of the White Woman Creek continues to captivate and intrigue, reminding us that the past is never truly gone, but rather lingers in the landscape, waiting to be rediscovered.
The legends surrounding White Woman Creek are a testament to the power of storytelling and the enduring human need to make sense of the world around us. They offer a glimpse into a time of conflict and change, and serve as a reminder of the importance of understanding and respecting the diverse cultures that have shaped the American West. Whether the ghost of the White Woman Creek is a figment of our imagination or a real spectral presence, her story will continue to be told for generations to come.
See Also: