The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-10-22
CAPT. JACK FOSTER,
HISTORIC FRONTIER
CHARACTER, IS DEAD
Border Rufians Had No Terror
for This Intrepid South
Dakotan.

Chamberlain. 8. D., Oct. 2o.-Captain
Jack Foster, one OF the best known
frontiersrnen OF the Northwest, and the
past four years government detective,
stationed at the Rosebud Indian
agency, lies dead at the agency. He
expired suddenly yesterday morning,
after a brief illness. Two weeks ago
when residents OF this city saw him at
h agency, he raj In splendid physical
condition, and apparently in as good
health as he % was in his life.
Captain Foster was about 81 years
old at the time OF his death, and had
been a resident OF South Dakota more
than 30 years. He was captain OF
Troop B, G~rigsby's Rough Riders. dur
ing the Spanish American war and was
one OF the most popular officers Of the
regiment.
A Unique Figure.
Probably no one Of the frontiersmen
of the Northwest had a more eventful
life than Captain Jack Foster. He was
a typical westerner and might have
been taken as the modal from which
Remington. the artist, drew his pic
lures OF the scout.
He was absolutely fearless and al
ranchman n officer had many thrill
Ing fights In the war to wipe out the
horse thieves and cattle rustlers of
South Dakota. In tie strip of country
from Jackson Hole, Wyo. through
South Dakota and down into the sand
hills Of Nebraska, no name was more
generally detested and feared by the
rustlera than that OF Jack Foster. Four
years age he became q government de-
tective and a stationed at Rosebud
agency. He maintained order on the
reservation and patrolled II constantly
on the watch for crooked half breed
thieves, who up to the time OF his
coming IN tho oRanny had hAaVa the
bane OF the ranchmen and honest In
dams OF, the reservation. Foster usual
ly made his arrests single handed. He
would ride down q band OF rustlers and
keeping watch OF them In camp, take
one after another into custody, driving
them to the nearest settlement ahead
Of him.
This Shows His Nerve. .
His nerve was always good in the
face of h greatest danger. Ten or IL
years ago, citizens OF this town had an
opportunity on the streets to see a
display OF courage that convinced them
Fosters reputation as a fearless man
was not without reason.
A drunken ranchman, who was quar-
relsome and considered a vicious fight
er, terrorized the residents one day by
walking about the streets declaring he
would Kill the first man who attempted
to stop him.. He carried a loaded Win
chester rifle and practically kept the
street clear, while he was abroad. Fos-
ter was marshal at the time. and as
soon as he heard OF the ranchman's
conduct, he hurried up town. The
ranchman heard that Foster had been
sem for and he loudly announced his
intention OF killing him on sight.
. Never Feazed Him.
Foster walked around q corner and
ran almost into the ranchman. The
latter threw his Winchester to his
shoulder n sighting along the bar
rell shouted:
"If you come another step, Jack, III
shoot"
Foster, smiling good raturedly, new
er paused. He strobe straight UP to
the rifle, seized the barrel, turned ii
aside, and reaching over grappled with
the ranchman. They rolled on the
walk, but when the dust cleared, Fos-
ter was sitting astride the bad man
and calmly Handwriting him.
Foster was deputy United States
marshal and for q number OF years
deputy sheriff and q detective. He has
a wife. son and daughter.