The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-10-28
DEATH OF GENERAL
RECALLS OLD TIMES

RECALLS OLD TIMES.
Story Of the Troubles of Sioux City
In the Frontier Days.
Sioux City Journal: The days of
Indian uprisings, when Sioux Cityans
flocked to the fort that had been
erected for protection, and when the
! farmers from all sections as far west
as Vermillion drove to Sioux City in
covered wagons to seek safety, we're
recalled today by Mrs. b. f. Smith,
when news of the death Of Brigadier
General John Cook, of Springfield,
Ill.,, was brought to her. Mrs. Smith
is the widow of Captain B. F. Smith,
who was one of the poneers of Sioux
City and gained renown as a fighter
in the Indian wars.
Mrs. Smith is living at the home
of her daughter. Mrs. J. S. Michael,
30l3 Jackson street. She has been
resident of Sioux City since 1863
and lived in the first brick house
erected in Sioux City by her brother,
George Schuster. The building still
stands at 221 Pearl street, and was
at one time the finest home in. the
city.
The early adventures of the pio-
neers in Sioux City are we'll remem-
bered by Mrs. Smith. Captain Smith
was close friend of General Cook,
who lived at the Smith home in
Sioux City He attended Captain
Smith when the latter was married
to Mrs. Smith, then Miss Caroline
Schuster.
"The trouble started in the fall OF
, 1851" said Mrs. Smith. ut was
only scare, but it was the worst
this country received and for time
It looked dangerous. The troops had
been called away at the opening OF
the civil war, leaving the frontie,
practically unguarded. One day two
farmers were shot dead while eat.
Ing their lunch in the fields. The
deed was done by Indians, and a,
once the entire country was in an
uproar. A fort was hurrledly bull,
In what is now Coles addition and
preparations were made in case q
siege should result.
THE need of soldiers was immi-
nent and General Cook with an iii.
nois regiment was sent here. My
husband was one of his officers and
although he was solicited by othe,
generals he always refused to leave
General Cooks staff We were liv.
ing in the brick house on Pearl street
and General Cook came to our home
to live. The presence Of the soldiers
Quelled the Sioux Indians, and nc
real battle was fought. 1t was
thought they started trouble because
the men had gone to the war.
1t was common sight to see en-
tire families driving into our little
frontier town in covered wagons
carrying all the household goods they
could load. The entire population
of Vermillion left their homes and
| remained here until after the scare
General Cook was in command OF
the forces and in short time he had
subdued the Indians"
A flor tho IL ~,
over General Cook and his staff were
sent to Bayfield,, Wis, where the In
dams were on the warpath. Mrs.
Smith accompanied her husband
who assisted the commanding officer
in all the fighting. She denies the
statement that General Cook was re-
lieved of the charge in Sioux City
because Of incompentency and says
the fact that he was sent to Bayfield,
Indicates the regard in which he was
held by the authorities. General
Sully succeeded General Cook in
command of the forces in Sioux City.
Mrs. Smith regarded General Cook
as most amiable man and says he
was we'll liked in Sioux City. After
leaving Sioux City he often cores
pended with Captain and Mrs. Smith.
The last letter was received from him
two years ago saying that he had
been injured by a horse. It is said
he never fully recovered from the &C.
cident.
General Cook was "a years OF age
and was at one time mayor of
Springfield. He died Wednesday ut
Hillsdale. Ind. AS commander of
the union army he received the sur
render of Fort Donelson from the
confederate forces.