Folk figure. Born in Georgia, one of at least eight children of white father, William Proctor, and his mixed blood Cherokee wife, Dicey Downing, his family, nevertheless, accompanied the Cherokee during its forced removal from their traditional territories in the south eastern United States. The family eventually settled in Going Snake District in Indian Territory. He was said to have fathered two children with two different women before he married Rebecca Mitchell and with her had five children before her death in 1872. That same year he killed Polly Hilderbrand during a family fight and was charged with her murder. During the trial, the courtroom was packed with armed men including Proctor's family and the jury. The victim's family requested a U. S. Marshal attend the trial. Accompanying the Marshal was a posse composed of the victim's family and friends. Arriving during the opening arguments the posse opened fire on Proctor. During the ensuing gunfight, at least 11 men were killed including U. S. Marshal Jacob Owen. The jury foreman, jurors, and the judge were all injured. The trial, however, resumed the following day, resultng in an aquittal for Proctor. The event has been called the Going Snake Massacre. Proctor went on to be elected senator from the Going Snake District in 1877. He also served as sheriff of the district in 1894. He remarried at least twice more before his death from pneumonia at the age of 76.
Folk figure. Born in Georgia, one of at least eight children of white father, William Proctor, and his mixed blood Cherokee wife, Dicey Downing, his family, nevertheless, accompanied the Cherokee during its forced removal from their traditional territories in the south eastern United States. The family eventually settled in Going Snake District in Indian Territory. He was said to have fathered two children with two different women before he married Rebecca Mitchell and with her had five children before her death in 1872. That same year he killed Polly Hilderbrand during a family fight and was charged with her murder. During the trial, the courtroom was packed with armed men including Proctor's family and the jury. The victim's family requested a U. S. Marshal attend the trial. Accompanying the Marshal was a posse composed of the victim's family and friends. Arriving during the opening arguments the posse opened fire on Proctor. During the ensuing gunfight, at least 11 men were killed including U. S. Marshal Jacob Owen. The jury foreman, jurors, and the judge were all injured. The trial, however, resumed the following day, resultng in an aquittal for Proctor. The event has been called the Going Snake Massacre. Proctor went on to be elected senator from the Going Snake District in 1877. He also served as sheriff of the district in 1894. He remarried at least twice more before his death from pneumonia at the age of 76.
Bio by: Iola
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