James Coleman

Died: June 6, 1884    Burial No. 37

The 9th Cavalry, a military unit of African Americans commonly called Buffalo Soldiers, was present at Fort Reno by 1881.  James Coleman was in Company “F’ when he and Saul Shipley attempted to cross the North Canadian River located near Fort Reno.  James and Saul both drowned in the high water.  It took two days to locate the bodies of these two young soldiers.  James and Saul are buried next to each other.