No Trespassing

Those of us who are interested in the Indian Wars of the Great Plains will often travel quite a distance to see a small marker, a "special" pile of rocks, or some other significant history related site. Many of these are either on private land or are only accessible by crossing private property. This post is meant as a reminder to please be respectful of landowners and ask permission to access or cross their property. 

One of the first posts I made on this website pertained to the John Cunningham and George Turner markers in Wyoming. Cunningham and Turner both died during Custer's 1874 Black Hills Expedition. Cunningham and Turner died under very different circumstances but were buried next to each other on a small hillside near the one of the Expedition's former campsites, 14 miles south of present-day Sundance, Wyoming.  

After the troopers were buried, fires were built atop their graves in an effort to conceal the plots. This was done to prevent the bodies from being disinterred by Indians.

The photos below are from my visit to the site back in June 2016.

John Cunningham and George Turner graves.

The Cunningham and Turner graves with Inyan Kara mountain in the distance.

A few weeks ago I decided to take a drive out to Devil's Tower, Wyoming. On the way I figured I would stop by the Cunningham/Turner graves and get some updated photos. Imagine my surprise when I was greeted with the following...

The graves are on the hillside and a No Trespassing sign has been posted.

No Trespassing sign closing off access to the Cunningham/Turner graves.

Further investigation has revealed that instead of simply walking the short distance to the graves, people were driving ATV vehicles up to the site. In addition a geocache was placed on the property and published to a popular website, drawing even more people to the area hunting for the hidden cache.

All this prompted the landowner to post No Trespassing signs on the property. Now the area is shutdown. Simple courtesy and respect was all that was needed to visit the site previously. All that has changed now due to the actions of a few idiots. 

Here are some Best Practices to follow when you’re out chasing history:

• Do not trespass; always respect private property. Obtain permission from the landowner.
• Never do anything that might contaminate wells, creeks or other water supplies.
• Respect the property. Leave gates as they are found, do not damage crops.
• Never deliberately disturb wild or domestic animals.
• Never litter. Always gather or collect any trash or debris you create or find.
• Leave as little sign of your passing as possible. 

A little common sense and respect will go a long way to insuring these sites are available for access in the future.

Turner and Cunningham - Black Hills 1874

This site has always been dedicated to the soldiers of the 7th Cavalry who are buried in South Dakota. Technically they are not all members of the mighty 7th. Rose Courtney, for example, was a servant for Lt. George Wallace. Moses Flint was a packer. James McGee was a wagon master. But they are all tied to Custer and either served him directly or served someone who did.

This brings us to troopers Turner and Cunningham. Both were official members of the 7th Cavalry and accompanied Custer on his Black Hills Expedition of 1874. Sadly, the Black Hills were the end of the line for both of them. Both died on the expedition. But they are not technically part of the scope of this website as both are buried in Wyoming. They died before Custer and the 7th had entered the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Private John Cunningham died from complications of diarrhea on July 21, 1874.

Private Turner’s demise was a bit different…

Privates Roller and Turner were both members of M Troop. They had been having a long-time feud. One morning, Roller went to check on his horse and found that it had been hobbled, making it incapable of moving without falling down. Because of this incident Roller and Turner had a fatal showdown. Turner was mortally wounded in the abdomen by a gunshot from Roller.

Turner and Cunningham were both buried near Inyan Kara Creek near the Expedition’s camp #19, about 14 miles south of present-day Sundance, Wyoming. After the troopers were buried, fires were built atop their graves in an effort to conceal the plots. This was done to prevent the bodies from being disinterred by Indians.

Their graves are located alongside Highway 585, 14 1/2 miles south of Sundance. For you GPS types, go to N44 13 06.8 W104 16 02.6. Take exit 187 off Interstate 90 and drive south until you reach the state historical marker below.  The marker is located on the east side of Highway 585. Inyan Kara mountain is off to the west. Behind the historical marker, up on the side of a hill, you will notice a small white picket fence.  These are the graves of Cunningham and Turner. You will need to walk to the graves.

Historical marker for the 1874 Black Hills Expedition along Highway 585 south of Sundance, Wyoming.

The picket fence surrounding the graves of Cunningham and Turner is on the upper right.  Inyan Kara can be seen in the distance.

Another view of the fence and Inyan Kara.

The graves of Privates Cunningham (Troop H) and Turner (Troop M), 7th U.S. Cavalry.