The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1908-10-23
CAPT. JACK FOSTER,
HISTORIC FRONTIER
CHARACTER, IS DEAD
Border Ruffians Had No Terror
for This Intrepid South
Dakotan.

Chamberlain, S. D., Oct o0.-Captain
Jack Foster, one of the best known
frontiersmen of the Northwest, and the
past four years government detective,
agency. lies dead at the agency. He
expired suddenly yesterday morning,
after q brief illness. Two weeks ago,
when residents of this city saw him at
.he agency, he was in splendid physical
condition. and apparently in as good
health as he ever was in his life.
Captain Foster was about 50 years
old at the time OF his death, and had
been resident of South Dakota more
than 30 years. He was captain of
Troop Is. Grigsby's Rough Riders. dur
ing the Spanish American war and was
regiment.
A Unique Figure.
Probably no one of the frontierslnen
of the Northwest had q more eventful
life than Captain Jack Foster. He was
typical WeSterner and might have
been taken as the model from which
Remington, the artist drew his pic
lures of the scout.
He was absolutely fearless and as
ranchman and 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
hills of Nebraska. no name Was more
generally detested and feared by the
rustlers than that of Jack Foster Four
years ago he became a government de-
tective and was stationed at Rosebud
agency. He maintained order on the
reservation and patroled 1t constantly
on the watch for crooked half breed
thieves, who up to the time of his
coming to the agency, had been the
bane of the ranchmen and honest In
dians of the reservation. Foster usual
ly made his arrests single handed. He
would ride down a 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 the greatest danger. Ten or 12
years ago, citizens of this town had an
opportunity on the streets to see a
display of courage that convinced them
Fosters reputation as fearless man
was not without reason.
drunken ranchman, who was quar-
relsome and considered vicious fight
er, .terrorzed the residents one day by
walking about the streets declaring he
would kill the first man who attempted
to stop him. He carried loaded Win
chester rifle and practically kept the
street clear, while he was abroad. los-
|
soon as he heard of the ranchman's
conduct. he hurried up town. The
ranchman heard that Foster had been
sent for and he loudly announced his
intention Of killing him on sight
Never Feazed Him.
Foster walked around a corner and
ran almost into the ranchman. The
latter threw his Winchester to his
shoulder and sighting along the bar
rell shouted:
"lf you come another step. Jack, I'll
shoot"
Foster, smiling good naturedly, new
er paused. He strobe straight up to
the rifle. seized the barrel, turned it
aside, and reaching ovec grappled with
the ranchnan. 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 a number of years
deputy sheriff and a detective He has
Wife, son and daughter