The Black range. (Robinson, Socorro County, N.M.) 1882-1897, 1885-01-16
\ The Poet Scout.

ed there in 1875. en- route from Arizona
to the Indian Territory. Imagine my
surprise when the tlrst person 10 greet
me as | neared the traders store was
my old friend and quoudam eompanor.
Jack Crawford. OF Capt jack the
''Poet Scout" ~ he Is now called. The
meeting was pleasure TO us both. ]
had not seen him since we parted In
the Black Hills ~ 1916 at the close Of
the Sitting Bull expedition. To return
TO my post and he to follow a fresher
trail farther 10 the southwest After
learning that he is post trader. post
master, post contractor. etc. not 10
mention his cattle aud mining inter
ests. he made me understand that II
would be bad medicine" for me IL
spread my blankets outside of his
"wickiupD," as he termed his domicile.
So joyfully accepted his insiuuating
invitation.
Perhaps could give you pen por-
trait of the celebrated scout. Ile is a
tall. wiry built man. with a nervous,
sensitive face. which his open. frank de.
meanor dignlles when you have once
entered into conversation with him.
His manner is simple and easy. entire.
ly free from affection. His long. light.
brown hair falls below his shoulders,
and a moustache and goatee of the
same color ornament his youthful
face. a large light felt sombrero
crowns his head and ms body is cover
ed with u blue shirt with wide. flowing
collar. Buckskin trousers, with fringed
sides, cover his l0rg, muscular leCs,and
a belt. with Il "persuader" attached, usu.
ally circles his waist. lie is thirty-nye
years of age, though he does not look
il. He was chief of the scouts during
the Sitting Bull expedition, in which |
took part. II was during this cam
paign that be made that daring and
remarkable ride. carrying dispatches
alone four hundred miles, through the
midst of the foe. riding at night and
hiding in the chapparel during the day,
with the knowledge that II his horse
neighed he would be discovered. cap
tured and tortured.
We spent the day in recounting half
forgotten events Of the "hOrsemeat'
campaign. and again, in fancy, rough.
ing II fTOm The Platt to the Yellow.
stone; thence, across the Bad Lands to
the Black Hills. One incident re.
called which caused our conversation
to take poetical turn. / remembered
that II was Jack Crawford, who. while
we lay encamped on War Bonnet
creek, Wyoming. brought us the sad
shocking intelligence Of the gallant
Clusters fate. also remembered that
soon after he reached our camp he
enteled my tent and, throwing himself
on my blankets, produced small,
blank book from his pocket, in which
he at once began writing. Though
Jack conversed well, his chirography
was somewhat peculiar. He had never
been to school in his life, and at the
time Of which speak writing was a
trail which he had never struck. Not
withstanding this, he was busily en-
gagged jotting down his thoughts In
odd characters which he improvised
explanatory of the word he had in his
mind. And at last | asked him what
he was doing. Writing some verses
on the death Of Custer" was his reply.
Remembering all this as thought it had
occurred the, day bsfors. asked HIM II
his now famous poem on that brave
cavalry officers tragic death was the
result of that mornings inspiration.
learned that 1t was.
The trials and difficulties with which
unknown writers have to contend were
proverbal,e even before Charlotte Bron te
te, with the manuscript OF "Jane Eyre.
turned almost hopelessly from the
doors of the different English publish
ing houses, while Mrs. Stowe with her
"uncle Toms Cabin was receiving
similar treatment at the hands of the
American. But Jacks attempts to
shine as an author seem to have been
attended With unparalleled misfortune.
Though he was almost continuously
scouting from 70 to 10, yet during this
time, either while in the saddle or IN
camp he managed to compose sufficient
poetical material to form good sized
volume. After repeated rebuffs from
different publishers, San Francisco
firm agreed to publish his writings for
$500. A contract was finally drawn to
this effect: The firm was to get the
book up, and Jack was to send month
ly installments until the designated
sum was complete. In due course of
time the book was beautifully finished,
with steel .engrsvings etc., and the
last payment was made; but Jack, be-
ing "on the trail" at the time, wrote to
the publishers to ship bis books TO Dem
yer, Colorado. A few weeks afterward
be reached Denver, and was astonished