The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1901-05-31

the heroic figure of Kit Carson, whose
battle-scarred body now rests in the
shadow Of the great mountains in
Taos county. New Mexico His deeds
in the romantic borderland have be-
come a fascinating portion of Amer
lean history, and as long as the MEM
cries of heroes are worshiped and true
heroism held in exaltation by succeed
Ing generations, so long will his name
and memory be honored by Americas
loyal sons.
One among the youngest OF these
Border path-fnders, but one whose REQ
ord embraces deeds of unquestioned
heroism, In Capt. Jack Crawford, IA
military known as The Poet Scout"
First but an humble packer, then
scout, then the chief of scouts with
several armies and finally skilled
and trusted special agent of the
department of justice 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 as 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 he yet regards with feel
ing akin to alteration, he thought to
settle down and live the life of quiet
citizen But the eXcitements of war
had aroused in his soul love for adj
venture, and he hungered for more
stirring life than was offered him at
his boyhood home. Upon the splendid
war record which laid behind him he ex-
perienced no difficulty in securing most
excellent testimonials from the gov
ernor OF his state and from seve
prominent figures in the military arr
of the government, and rning his
face westward he soon brought up at
military post on the far western bor-
ders of civilization. His credentials at
once gained for him the confidence and
esteem of the officers there stationed,
and every opportunity was afforded
him to familiarize himself with the
country and with the duties of n scout.
In an almost incredibly short space of
time after his arrival in the west he
was sent upon an important and
dangerous mission through scope of
country infested with hostile Indians,
and SO skillfully and successfully did he
perform his work that congratulations
were showered upon him bv officers,
soldiers and old experienced scouts,
and a brilliant future in that perilous
calling was freely predicted for him.
This was the stepping stone to his
subsequent distinguished career. He
was Immediately assigned to duty as
regularly employed scout, and soon,
over tho heads of older men In point of
service, was appointed chief of scouts
for the army with which he was con-
nected. In many OF the subsequent
Indian wars he bore leading and dis
tinguished part, and when he dotted
the buckslSin TO enter the service of
the department of justice he bore with
him the most emphatic concentrations
from the several commanders under
whom he had served
During his long service on the
frontier Capt. Crawford became thor
oughly familiar with every phase Of
border garrison life, both social and In
the line OF service, and has just com
pleted serial story which bears the
title; 'Privato Brown A Romance of q
Frontier Military Post" While no has
written many short stories OF Western
life for publication In various public
prints, this 10 hin hrst sffort In the