El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1917-02-28
INDIAN FIGHTER
CRAWFOR DIES
Capt. Jack, "Poet Scout, -
Succumbs to Pneumonia
at Woodhaven. N. Y.

News dispatches from New York
" ednesday announced the death at his
home at Woodhaven. Long Island, of
John Wallace, better known as Cap
tain Jack" Crawford. a noted Indian
fighter Of early frontier days, who
vas the father of Mrs. Dan W Reck-
hart, of FL Paso. He was stricken
with pneumonia more than a month
ago.
Capt. John Wallace Crawford, as he
was known in the southwest, made his
home at san MarciaI. y. NJ, and was =
frequent visitor 10 FL Paso-
Native of Ireland
Capt. Crawford was born in Cork,
Ireland. in 1872 His father was
Scotchman and mis- grandmother on his
fathers side was a Wallace, descendant
OF William Wallace, OF Scotland In
1860 Capt Crawford's parents moved
to this country and settled in Pennsyl-
vania. When the war between the
states broke out in 1861 CraWford's
father enlisted with the union forces
and was killed in battle. Young CraW-
ford ran away from home at the age
Of Il years 10 become drummer boy
in the union army
Wounded. Drummer Boy Is Taught.
At the battle of SpOLtsylvaEia the
drummer boy was seriously wounded
and was sent TO Saterlee hospital. Phil
adelphia- There his youth and bright
ness so attracted the nurses that on
learning he had not attended school
they undertook his education and while
in the hospital he learned to read and
write.
After leaving the hospital the boy
read everything he could get hold Of
and Interested friends loaned him the
right kind OF books After the war he
enlisted as scout and worked for years
under Buffalo BIZ Cody, and n strong
and lasting friendship grew between the
two brave and reckless riders Of the
plains.
Chief of Scouts in 20.
Upon the retirement Of Buffalo BIZ
from the service in 1876. capt. Jack"
was appointed his successor as chief
of scouts and as such he had many
thrilling experiences with Indians on
the western plains. he was in the
fight with Custer at Slim Butte There
Scout and the dashing Custer Craw-
ford and three other scouts. Texas
Jack" California Joe" and wild Bill
were prominent in the Sitting BulI'
campaign
Began Writing at Camp Fires.
Crawford was an intimate friend OF
Ebert Hubbard the philosopher, who
was drowned when the Lusitania sank.
sued about five years ago. was entities
''Whar' the Hand o. God is Seen"
II was while he was watching the
movements Of the red man that Craw-
-
camp fires at night he would recite
his lines TO the officers He loved
nature and the great broad plains of
the west. Il was his boast that no
drop Of intoXicants had ever passed his
lips.
Marries; Moves to Fit. Bayard.
Capt Crawford was married in Penn
sylvania nd moved his family TO old
Fort Bayard. y ". where he was
post trader in 1881. He is survived by
mis- widow, one son and two daughters.
Harry Crawford. exmayor Of Clovis,
y NJ, Mrs. D W Reckhart, of Ell Paso,
and Miss May Crawford. who lives
with her mother San Marcial has been
the home OF the family for years.
After the Indian Campaigns Can't.
Crawford retired and devoted his re-
years 10 literary work and to
the lecture platform. He was a popu-
lar entertainer on the Chautauqua cir
cults
Burial Probably in Pennsylvania.
Mrs. Crawford and her daughter Nav
were with Capt. Crawford when he
died. Mrs. Reckhart was, on account
0. Illness, unable TO go to Woodhaven.
lnterment will probably take place at
Mlnersville. Pa, where the mother of
Capt Crawford is buried. He expressed
a wish that he may lie by her side