The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-08-24

I'm civil life and In society I'm plain
Mr.. Sullivan" he explained, but when I'm
In = campaign or out with the gang then
IFS 'Broncho John"
The speaker was that celebrated indi-
vidual himself, ''Broncho John" who was
master Of transportation, master OF disem-
bArkation and chief Of scouts under Gen.
Fi,zhugh Lee, In the Santiago campaign,
and who has earned renown with Miles and
Crook m dozens Of Indian campaigns ON
the Western border.
After fighting Apaches. Comanches.
Cheyennes and other Indian tribes In the
West. and tussling with the Spaniard in his
lair amid the Junsles Of Cuba, Sullivan Is
now going to try conclusions with the
elusive and swiftfooted F1lipinos. He Is in
charge OF the mule pack train Of the Third
regiment Of cavalry. now stationed At Taco
ma.
From what I had heard In that town.
Mr.. Sullivan said, by way Of parenthesis,
Il had formed an idea that Camp Robinson
WAS about as big as q hen COOP You may
imagine my wonder when I saw what q
magnificent camp Il is, today. when was
out there. It's really better than any
have seen in years. and Seattle's q lively
place. too! / wish l could stay here a
MONTH"
II "Broncho Johns" life could be written
Just as 1t happened IL would thrill the read
er Just as stories OF border warfare waged
by imaginary. long haired heroes .ncite the
youthful generation to deeds OF fearless
foolishness. From 1876 to the present time,
Sullivan has been almost continuously in
the service Of the war department, always.
however, as q civilian, and during q great
part OF that period in positions where he
daily faced dangers and exposed himself
to death. Eight times In the twenty-three
years has Sullivan been perforated by hos
18th k,tS kz hAs0
as sound az ever. and Mt for any kind OF
duty.
A. . scout In Caba.
Before Skaters army set foot on Cuban
soil, Sullivan secuted the shores OF the
island. penetrating the Spanish Ines. sleep
ing in the jungies depths by day and trav-
cling with Ave companion scouts by night,
learning the secrets OF the enemy's prepa-
ra,ions. Once. while In advance OF the
army before the battle OF Ell Caney was
fought Spanish sharpshooter plugged him
in the thigh. narrowly missing vital part
Of the body. The wound was as clean as
II made by a knife blade. and aside from
iimp.ng for a few days, "Broncho John
was not Inconvenience.
THE Spanish are easier than the Indians.
when 1t comes to scouting in their coun-
try" said Sullivan yesterday. AT least,
that's my experience. With FIVE other
could therefore speak Spanish well, left
Tampa about the middle Of May. 1888. We
spent three weeks accommodating the IS
land We investigated the enemy's de-
fensiye works. ascertaining their weak
points at Havana. Matan3as. Santiago ard
other places. We always worked at night
and slept in the deepest jungles we could
find by day. One night. between Buena
Vista. a small place ten niles from Ha-
vana. and the city itself. we found our
selves inside the Spanish lines. We heard
a group of officers singing spanish song.
The night was perfectly clear. but dark.
One Of our Mexican scouts Joined In the
chorus We were we'll hidden. and list
ened to the comments OF the officers with
much amusement. One OF them swore that
he had heard a voice Joining IN. but :he
others laughed at him as being the victim
OF a Authorization. Out OF this quite a
dispute arose. which was very amusing to
us. We sneaked away into the jungle
without being perceived. Yes We were N
n ticklish position, but that wasn't a rare
occurrence.
You may have heard Of the time when
the sidewheeier Jessie was fred on by the
Spanish. Well. we were on that steamer