West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1898-01-06

the heroic Dqurc OF Kit Carson. whose
battle-sciirfcd body now rests In the
shadow OF the great mountains In
Taos county, New Mexico Ills deeds
In the romnntic bordcrland have he
come h fascinating portion of Amer
lean historys and as long as the mem
ories of heroes are worshiped and true
heroism held In cxnltation by succeed
ing generations, 30 long will his name
and nieidory be honored by Americans 3
loyal sons.
One among the youngost OF these
border path-hndcrs. but one whose rec
ord embraces deeds Of nnqdeetloncd
heroism; Is Cnpt. Jack Crawford, ia
miliarly known as The Poet Scout. a"
First but an humble paclScr, then n
scout, then the chief OF scouts With
several armies AMI finally skilled
and trusted special agent OF the
department Of justiee entrusted
with the work OF bringing TO
justice the desperate men engaged
In Illicit liquor traffic among the
Indians ON the reservations of the far
west. his life. almost from The day of
his discharge ~ n boy soldier at the
close OF the civil war, has been spent
In the discharge OF perilous duties in
the service Of the government. When.
shortly after the surrender OF Lee. he
laid down the tools of war and re-
turned to his Pennsylvania home bear.
Ing upon his youthful body the scars
Of wounds received In defense OF the
flag which ne yet regards with feel
ing akin TO alteration, he thought 90
settle down and live the life Of auict
citizen. But tho excitcments Of war
had aroused In his soul love for adj
venture, and he hungered for n moro
stirring life than was offered him ut
his boyhood home. Upon the splendid
war record Which laid behind him nc es-
perienced no difficulty IN securing most
excellent testimonials from the frov4
ernor Of his state and from several
prominent figures Ia the military af.r1
OF the government, and turning his
face westward he soon brought up at a
military post on the far western bor-
ders of civilization. Iiis credentials at
once gained for him the confidence and
esteem ~ the officers thcrc stationed
and every opportunity was afforded
him u familiarizc himself with the
country and with tl1c duties of 81 scout
In an almost incredibly short sDaco of
tine after his arrival I'm the vest he
was sent upon an important and
dangerous mission tlrouqii scope of
country infested with hostile indians.
and 50 siiilfully and successfully Gid he
perform bis work that congratulations
wcrc snoyvcrra upon him ~ officers.
soldiers and old Experienced sc1ut-.
and brilliant future in taat relilous
calling wis freely predicted for him
This was tho stepping stonc 90 iiis
subsequent distinguished career ilc
wno Immediately designed To- duty as %
regularly employed scOut. and soon.
over thc heads ~ older men in point Of
service Was appointed chief of scouts
for Che army with which he was cor.
nccted. lu ui ny of tic subscduont
Indian wnrs he bore iolding AMI dis-
tinguisiicd part. md whom he dofed
thc buckslyin to enter Che service ~
che department Of justice he bore with
him the most emphatic commeudations
from the several commanders under
whom he hodl,sorved
During his long service on the
frontier Capt. Crawford became thor
oughly familiar with every phaee ~
border garrigon life. both social aud iu
the line 81 service. and has just conn
pleted serial story which bears tho
ttlc; Private Brown q Romance of q
Frontier Military Post" Wbdc he has
written many short stories Of western
life for publication in various public
prints this Is his arst effort ~ the