The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1912-08-22
MAN WITHOUT HANDS
GUARDS BUSINESS
JOHN LEARY, sHORN OF Ma
TURE'S DEFENSE, HAS OBJ
TANNED QUITE A RECORD
IN THE BLACK HILLS
COUNTRY.

Rapid City, S. D.-With no hands,
one eye and with the hearing of one
ear partially destroyed, John Leary
is the faithful night watch, who
guards the safety of the large mer-
camille houses about the center Of
the city. He is accompanied on his
rounds by a little ~non-descript sky
terrier and both are a part Of the
history of the Black Hills and of
Rapid City in particular. Ss
Probably there are not ten people
in Rapid City who knowns John
Leary, but every one from adult to
toddling infant just farming to talk
knows Hockey jack, because of
the two steel hooks which protrude
from his coat sleeves and which he
uses in place of hands almost as
dexterously as does the average per-
son. His companion is called Rags.
because of his appearance and both
master and pet are of the worlds
flotsam and jetsam which oftimes
finds a warm spot in the hearts of.
the community in which they pass
their days.
"Hookie" is a "Forty-niner,"
because he was born in Newkpg. N.
Y, in 1S49. Until 1866 he gravit-
ated with his parents between Lock
Haven, Pa. and Whitneyville, Me.
In 1874 the call of the west seized
him and he went to the mines in
Nevada, locating at Gold Hill near
Virginia City in the days when that
part OF the country vas wild and
woody" When gold was discovered
In the Black Hills he came in with
the first fortune seekers and located
at Custer. Later he Joined the Mar
mel brothers, who located the mine
which later was named the Home
stake" and which now is the great
est producer of gold in the world. In
1882, while mining in the southern
mills for the Grand Junction COM
pany, he met with the mishap which
married his career. He and his
partner, Jim Scott, were preparing
some giant powder for a blast. 1t
exploded prematurely manning
"Hookie" as above described, and
tearing an arm from Scott. After
the acciednt 'Hookie" drifted into
Rapid City and by his faithfulness
and cheerful demeanor has gained
a warm spot in the hearts of his fell
low men. He has been a member of
the board of education and held
other positions of trust. No matter
where you meet him, In day OF, night
season his ringing happy good
morning greets you.
His faithful little companion is a
dog OF low degree but great intelll-
gence. Where he came from and
what his past may have been no one
knows. He may have escaped from
some OF the numerous camps of
Sioux Indians, who came here In
great numbers during the stock
meeting week. He, was found poor
lily kept. a meaching speciment of
dogdomn in front OF the Harvey
hotel. A crowd of heartless round
ers began, to abuse the cur when
'Hookie' arrived on the scene.
"Hookie" made short work of the
FOUNDERS, his hooks are effective
weapons In a streetamix-up,i but the
dog scurried away.AssThe next night
"Hookie" found him skulking about
an alley. He fed the little wander
ing canine and since that time dog
and man have become i%nseparable
companions.
"Hookie" adopted the name
Rags" for his pet and he is official
ly recognized as a memebr of the
police department. His license num-
Der is one and he is known as
throughout the city as the police
dog.
At Christmas "Hookie" and
Rags" come in for many kind at
tentions and both have their rations
each night with the Rapid City
Journal force.