Tom Starr
Encyclopedia
Thomas Starr was a Cherokee
in the American West, who was declared an outlaw by his tribe in an internal conflict over treaties with the United States government. He was also involved in running whiskey into Indian Territory and rustling stock. Starr was the grandfather of Henry Starr
and father in-law to Belle Starr
, through her marriage to Sam Starr.
Starr's father was James Starr, a Cherokee leader and a signer of the Treaty of New Echota
in December 1835. This treaty had a large impact on the unity and well being of the Cherokee Nation, and many tribal members disagreed with its signing. James Starr was targeted for assassination by Cherokee opposing the treaty, followers of the anti-Removal National Party led by John Ross
, and on more than one occasion narrowly escaped death.
A violent series of confrontations eventually led to a Cherokee civil war. Treaty supporters, including the Starr family, James Starr and his six sons, opposed the Ross faction. In retaliation for the attempts on his father's life, Tom Starr became a guerilla leader in civil war activities. He was accused of attacking and murdering Ross supporter and trader, Benjamin Vore and his family, at their home near Fort Gibson in 1843. In November 1845, James Starr and his son Buck were attacked at their home by thirty-two armed men and both were killed. Tom Starr witnessed the event but escaped and vowed to avenge the life of his father. The Ross faction of the Cherokee Nation placed a price on Starr's head, and declared he and his surviving brothers outlaw. At least 34 politically related murders were committed among the Cherokee in 1845 and 1846.
The internal Cherokee conflict ended with a formal truce in 1846. The resulting peace treaty between the two factions included a special clause pardoning citizens of the Cherokee Nation from offenses and crimes. This pardon was extended to Tom Starr. Starr settled land in the southern portion of the Canadian District of the Cherokee Nation, near present-day Briartown, Oklahoma
. The Starr brothers and their extended family used the base in a series of crimes, including arson and the theft of cattle, horses and supplies. Starr was alleged to have killed 100 men throughout his lifetime, although the figure is probably exaggerated. Starr also served in Confederate
forces during the American Civil War as a scout for General Stand Watie
and was acquainted with William Clark Quantrill.
Cherokee Nation
The Cherokee Nation is the largest of three Cherokee federally recognized tribes in the United States. It was established in the 20th century, and includes people descended from members of the old Cherokee Nation who relocated voluntarily from the Southeast to Indian Territory and Cherokees who...
in the American West, who was declared an outlaw by his tribe in an internal conflict over treaties with the United States government. He was also involved in running whiskey into Indian Territory and rustling stock. Starr was the grandfather of Henry Starr
Henry Starr
Henry Starr was an American outlaw: specifically, a horse thief and train robber. He was also convicted of murder once, of U.S. Deputy Marshal on December 13, 1892. Henry Starr claimed in court to not have known he was a U.S. Marshal and only to know that a man had opened fire on him without...
and father in-law to Belle Starr
Belle Starr
Myra Maybelle Shirley Reed Starr , better known as Belle Starr, was a notorious American outlaw.-Early life:...
, through her marriage to Sam Starr.
Starr's father was James Starr, a Cherokee leader and a signer of the Treaty of New Echota
Treaty of New Echota
The Treaty of New Echota was a treaty signed on December 29, 1835, in New Echota, Georgia by officials of the United States government and representatives of a minority Cherokee political faction, known as the Treaty Party...
in December 1835. This treaty had a large impact on the unity and well being of the Cherokee Nation, and many tribal members disagreed with its signing. James Starr was targeted for assassination by Cherokee opposing the treaty, followers of the anti-Removal National Party led by John Ross
John Ross (Cherokee chief)
John Ross , also known as Guwisguwi , was Principal Chief of the Cherokee Native American Nation from 1828–1866...
, and on more than one occasion narrowly escaped death.
A violent series of confrontations eventually led to a Cherokee civil war. Treaty supporters, including the Starr family, James Starr and his six sons, opposed the Ross faction. In retaliation for the attempts on his father's life, Tom Starr became a guerilla leader in civil war activities. He was accused of attacking and murdering Ross supporter and trader, Benjamin Vore and his family, at their home near Fort Gibson in 1843. In November 1845, James Starr and his son Buck were attacked at their home by thirty-two armed men and both were killed. Tom Starr witnessed the event but escaped and vowed to avenge the life of his father. The Ross faction of the Cherokee Nation placed a price on Starr's head, and declared he and his surviving brothers outlaw. At least 34 politically related murders were committed among the Cherokee in 1845 and 1846.
The internal Cherokee conflict ended with a formal truce in 1846. The resulting peace treaty between the two factions included a special clause pardoning citizens of the Cherokee Nation from offenses and crimes. This pardon was extended to Tom Starr. Starr settled land in the southern portion of the Canadian District of the Cherokee Nation, near present-day Briartown, Oklahoma
Oklahoma
Oklahoma is a state located in the South Central region of the United States of America. With an estimated 3,751,351 residents as of the 2010 census and a land area of 68,667 square miles , Oklahoma is the 28th most populous and 20th-largest state...
. The Starr brothers and their extended family used the base in a series of crimes, including arson and the theft of cattle, horses and supplies. Starr was alleged to have killed 100 men throughout his lifetime, although the figure is probably exaggerated. Starr also served in Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
forces during the American Civil War as a scout for General Stand Watie
Stand Watie
Stand Watie , also known as Standhope Uwatie, Degataga , meaning “stand firm”), and Isaac S. Watie, was a leader of the Cherokee Nation and a brigadier general of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
and was acquainted with William Clark Quantrill.