Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1908-10-30
CAPT.. JACK FOSTER,
HISTORIC FRONTIER
CHARACTER, IS DEAD
Border Ruffians Had No Terror
for This Intrepid South
Dakotan.

Chamberlain. S. d, Oct. 20-Captair
Jack Foster, one OF the best known
frontiersmen 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 Il
when residents OF this city saw him at
the agency, he was In splendid physical
condition, and apparently in as good
health as he eve 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 80 ears. He was captain of
Troop B, Grigsby's Rough Riders, dur
ing the Spanish American wal 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 model from which
Remington, the artist, drew his pic
lures of the scout.
He was absolutely fearless and rs
ranchman n officer had man thrill
ing fights in the war to wipe out the
horse thieves and cattle rustIers OF
South Dakota. In tie strip OF country
from Jackson Hole, Wyo. through
South Dakota and down into thu sand
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 n vas stationed at Rosebud
agency. He maintained order on the
reservation and patrolled 1t constantly
on the watch for crooked half breed
thieves, who up to the time of his
rny11nu m tho a ono hn1 hnnTN tho
bane of the ranchmen and honest In
liam of the reservation. Foster usual
ly made his arrests single handed. He
would ride down q band of rustlers ana
keeping watch of them in camp, take
one after another into custody, driving
them to he nearest settlement ahead
OF him.
This Shows His Nerve.
His nerve was always good in the
face Of the greatest danger. Ten or ~
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 guar
relsome and considered q 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. Eos
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
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 n sighting along the bar
rell shouted:
IF you come another step. Jack, I'll,
shoot"
Foster, smiling good naturedly, nev-
err paused. He strobe straight up to,
the rifle, seized the barrel. turned II
aside, and reaching owe grappted with
the ranchman. They rolled on the
walk, but when the lust 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 q detective. He has
a wife, son and daughter.