Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-04-07
THE NEW MAJOR.GENERAL,
Personal Characeerisiics OF General
Cook the Famous Indian Fighter.

Brigadier-General George Crook, yesterday nomi-
mated by the President TO be major general TO M
the vacancy caused by the retirement OF Gen.
Terry, was born In lS:.s and was graduated from
the Military Academy In lS52. Ee was assigned
TO duty In California and remained there until
1861, participating IN several Indian expeditions
he entered the civil war as captain and served
with distinction until its close, being three times
war he was in command OF the cavalry or the
Army OF the Potomac and WAS then Transferred 10
THsa du,y az ~ Wdmlng'9n C. He was aIterwarl as
Indian campaigns are weli-known.
on TnE FRONTIER
Gen. Cook is one or the most striking figures OF the
military history OF This country lie Is generally
regarded, both by army officers and the public as
the greatest Of Indian fighters and managers His
Indian policy IS simple but positive. "Always
treat Indians with the strictest importantly never
make them omises that cannot be fulfilled:
never allow them TO be idle when at peace. buJ
make them work for Their living, ana when
they want hight whip them out OF their
moccas,ns,' have been the rules that have
gSserned go es de, MIN IN his rron,er service
er and II Is said is thoroughly familiar with the
country west OF the Mississippi from British
America many miles on the otner side OF the Next
can border. Tnis knowledge he acquired by
riding with his men over every part OF Tie district
OF which he was In command. Army officers say
ne Is the only general of1cer who has invariably
done this. Instead OF detailing officer To 20 ne
goes himself, and consequently becomes as familiar
Win MS oncers as ne does Win The enemy and
their country.
HIS CAMPAIGN UNIFoRx.
When not on a campaign he dresses neatly but
not ostentatiously, but when he is on the trail he
wears an Old canvas suit, ana bis personal outfic
has been estimated at various times by Officers
with him as ranging In value from Il cents 10
Sl-3o. He always rides at the head OF his column,
on mule, with his rifle across his arm. IL Is
ella med that he is acquainted with the personal
characteristics OF every Army offlcer about him,
knows N w and ant
NAL In bis command.
NEVER TIRED.
He is about ffty-eight years OF age an even 9
feet In height, straight Us an arrow, and weighs
always about 17o pounds. II is said by a number
OF officers VINO have served with him that in ali
OF his many campaigns he has never been known
TO be even tired, although he invariably ex-
perienced the same hardsbips and pr1yations
times physically gone 10 pieces HIS extraor-
dlnary strength Is OF tnat sinewy, 1.-THE character
that enables him TO stand almost any kind OF SER
vice.
He has always been agrest hunter and Usher
man lie has or late years lost his interest in deer
hunting, but It is said OF him that he Will go
thousand miles for the chance OF shot at a bear
ana tnat when he go.s he generally gets the bear.
A COOL HEAD.
once several years ago he was on bear-hunt in
the Big Horn country with two or three gentle
men. They had tracked a Oear into a big tule or
cat-tafl swamp. and had just entered In his pur-
appeared and charged for re General M crooS. VINO was
nearest TO him. one OF the gentlemen In descrfb-
Ing the incident said 1.-The animal was
who stood still, without moving a muscle
Tue outline OF his figure and face stood against the
playground OF the say as clear as cameo. The
Dear came rushing with Jaws opened wide. and In
moment more would have seized Crook. Just at
the right instant his rife was brought 70 his
SHOULDER like flash and bullet sped straight
nfg