In September, 1878 Fred Clark and Reuben Bristow, both of whom were cowhands working for the Comanche Cattle Pool, were sent to the Salt Flats west of current day Freedom, Oklahoma, to get a load of salt. The Comanche Pool was one of the largest cattle operations in the Cherokee Strip during this era of pre-statehood history. It had operations which extended northward well into Kansas and ran cattle on the open range across the entire region. During this same time period, a band of Northern Cheynenne had escaped their forced confinement at Cantonment (near present day Canton, Oklahoma) and were making their way back, on foot, to the northern plains of the Dakotas and Montana. The escaping Northern Cheynenne fled through northwest Oklahoma hoping to outrun the U.S. Cavalry stationed at Ft. Reno and Camp Supply. A band of young warriors were scouting the way for the fleeing Cheyenne when they came upon the two Comanche Pool cowhands. Bristow and Clark were killed by the Cheyenne and left there on the current-day Hill Ranch. The Northern Cheyenne encountered the U.S. Cavalry at the Battle of Turkey Springs on September 13 and 14, which is believed to have occurred about 14 miles northeast of Freedom. After the 2-day running battle, the Cheyenne escaped capture and continued on their way northward. This battle is the last official battle between American Indians and the U.S. Cavalry. Bristow and Clark were found 2 days later by their friends and were buried on the “high lonesome prairie”. A fenced marker is located about 13 miles north of Camp Houston (junction of State Highway 50 and U.S. 64). To find the cemetery, just head north until you reach a “Y” in the road and take the left branch. Continue following the road a few more miles until you see the Cowboy Cemetery. It is located on a high divide which gives the visitor uncompromising views of the Cimarron River Valley to the south and northward into Kansas.