Scabby Bull - Arapaho

In 1897 the United States government granted the Kansas, Oklahoma Central and Southwestern Railway a "right of way extension" through Indian and Oklahoma Territories.  The original right of way was granted in 1893.  What this new extension actually granted was that the railway would be allowed to run a branch line some 30 miles into the area to reach coal or "other mineral lands or mines which are operated or may hereafter be operated in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory".

In the fall of 1898, Scabby Bull and others were in Washington to protest the situation. We are unclear as to whether they were requesting that this order be rescinded or that compensation for mineral rights was not properly addressed.  During the time he was in the east, he toured the Carlisle School, along with  Left Hand, Black Crow, White Buffalo, Washie, of the Arapaho tribe and John Otterby, Little Wolfe, Little Chief, Little Hand, Horse Road, Big Bear, Cloud Chief, Buffalo Meat, Three Fingers, All Runner, Wolf Robe, Prairie Chief, of the Cheyenne tribe.  Traveling with them were former students, Cleaver Warden and Jessie Bent who were also Arapaho.