"CHEROKEE OUTLAW"

The old photograph of Ned below was taken when he posed for an Indian Territory photographer holding one of his self-converted Model 1860 Colt Army revolvers and wearing the other in his holster. The pair of Navy Colt pistols and the Model 1873 Winchester rifle were all chambered for the .44-40 Winchester. Which means all his weapons all used the same rounds. Smart on his part.
Here is what it says on one website about Ned Christie that I found:

"Ned Christie's story is one of tragedy. He was a suspect in the killing of a lawman. It was shown later that he did not do the killing.

Still, as a suspect, the lawmen entered the indian territory in pursuit of Ned Christie, but neighbors announced any approaching posse. Each time Ned was prepared and his marksman skills held them off. The pursuers usually left with a number of wounded.

He is the only man in history that it took several years for the U.S. Government to get who stayed at his own home the whole time. Ned was an Executive Council Member, or Senator, in the Cherokee Nation at the time of Dan Maples' killing. Ned went directly to the Chief and said he was going to go talk to Judge Parker to clear himself. Many people talked him out of it, knowing that Parker would never let him come, probably hang him on the spot. So, he went home to his wife, and family. He never left. As a Cherokee Senator and a member of the Keetowah Society, he firmly stood his ground that the U.S. Government had no jurisdiction in the Cherokee Nation. At the time, they didn't. In fact, he actively and feverishly spoke out against the Curtis Act and the impending Dawes act on the floor of the Council...

On one occasion, a posse which included Heck Thomas managed to sneak unnoticed to Christie's cabin. After the cabin caught fire, Ned's son bolted for the woods. The lawmen thinking it was Ned Christie wounded the boy. Finally, when Christie ran, Heck Thomas fired. The bullet fractured his nose and made his right eye sightless.


 

From this point, Ned stayed at a place known as Christie's Mountain. It was a fortress of sorts with a thick walls made of stone and wood. Numerous attempts were made by posses to dislodge Christie from the fort.

 

In the enrollment and allotment of the Cherokees which followed his death, most members of his family in Wauhillau were denied allotments and enrollment. Even though they were fullbloods, and their parents were forced to walk the Trail of Tears.

Ned Christie is buried in the Christie Cemetery in a "town" called Wauhilla, OK."

 

During our photo shoot with Stan, he requested to pose like his uncle. Stan is holding an exact copy of the Winchester rifle as well as the Navy Colt that his uncle carried.

Here is another link with some great old photos of the posse and sheriff that tracked Ned Christie down.

 

Here is day one of Stan's portrait. It is another pose that I liked. Stan is holding the two Navy Colts.

Here is a close-up of today's work. This is still really rough. You will see a big improvement in tomorrow's offering.

I detailed his face and Stetson. Still more to do in these areas once the paint sets up. I also roughed in Stan's handkerchief, "stampede string," hair and his wool vest.

This is version three. I finished detailing his scarf and vest. The shirt, hands and Colts are still pretty rough.


 

 

I have Stan's shirt and hands just about done. I also managed to rough in his belt and holsters. If you notice, he is wearing a "Confederate" belt buckle. Stan told me that the Cherokee sided with the South throughout the Civil War. I just love how Stan's crossed arms mimic the leaves on that "CSA" buckle. I am not quite done with the big silver "concho" on his holster. It is a little hard to see, but it is a beautiful Indian in full head dress.

I should have Stan pretty much done tomorrow, then on to the background and lastly, his long hair below his elbows over that background.

 

Day five. I detailed the gun belt, holsters and put the last strokes on his shirt and lastly, his jeans. With Stan just about done, background next. There are a few areas like the jeans that need to dry to finish the small details.

We posed Stan against a background of canvas. This is what I painted. I will wait until the background sets up and I will then go in and paint Stan's long hair that hangs several inches below his elbows. Finally, the last thing, sign it.

After talking to Stan, we came up with the title. It is the "Cherokee Outlaw."
Stan is actually one of the famous "Cody Gunfighters" here in Cody, Wyoming. They perform nightly, seven days a week, rain or shine. Great, great show to see. If you ever make it here, do not miss it!!
Here is the link to their website:
 

"THE FINAL"