William Short was hunting near Smoker Mankiller’s home in Indian Territory when Mankiller shot him on September 1, 1874. Short survived the shooting, only to be tracked down and stabbed to death by Mankiller.

Mankiller was arrested by U.S. Marshals. At trial before Judge Parker, he was convicted and sentenced to death on June 26, 1875.
Smoker Mankiller was hanged on September 3, 1875, along with five other men convicted of separate murders.