The Coconino sun., 1919-01-17
BRIEF HISTORY
 OF CAPT. HANCE

The following brief and most in- teresting history of the life of the famous old guide, Captain John Hance of Grand Canyon, was kindly furnish ed us by Judge George Hance of Camp Verde. Captain Hance died at Flagstaff on January 9th, 1919, and was buried on the rim of the Grand Canyon with due ceremony, by many pioneer friends.
 Captain John Hance was born at Cowan's Ferry on French Broad river, Sevier county, Tennessee. September II, 1888, and came to what was af rewards known as Phelps county, Missouri, in 1852, and lived there un- til the commencement of the war of the Rebellion. In 1862 he joined the rebel army and was south in several battles. Surrendered in Virginia in 1865. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Helena, Ark, July 4, 1863. Was confined at Alton, Illinois for several months then transferred to Fort Delaware, Del. From there he went on exchange of prisoners to his own regiment somewhere in the south. He came back to Rolla, Missouri, at the close of the war. l was at that time field messenger, carrying dis patches for Major E. B. Grimes, chief depot quartermaster, district of Rolla, Missouri. John hired to L. B.. Hickok, brother to Wild Bill Hickols, scout during the war later on the plains, and came to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in September, 1865. Served on the plains as teamster and also as dispatch carrier for over two years, then came to New Mexico in Novem- Der, 1867. In 1868 he was on the Nav ajo Indian expedition from Fort Sum- ner on the Pecos river, N. M., to Fort Defiance, Arizona. In the spring and summer of 1868. We left Fort Un- ion, N. M., the first of November, 1868, and arrived at Prescott Decem- Der 4, 1868. He was therefore a cit izen of Yavapai county and that part years and days at the time of his death. He was here in early Indian times and was slightly wouned skin deep on one side in the center of ribs under one arm, on the other about same depth of wound on opposite arm and may have been in other fights in other parts of Arizona or New Mex ico, as he was on the go or run-about in early days. He went to the Grand Canyon of the Colorado about 30 years ago. There was in our party IT men, one woman and two boys. Hon. Jerry w. Sullivan drove team for me when 1 was government wagonmaster, also my brother John; they were both in the crowd that came here at that time. The Indians killed and wounded i of the lot the first year. That white spot on J. w. Sullivan's neck is an Indian souvenir. Jerry and l are all that are alive of the 20, and Jerry is getting old too. But I hope the two of us live long time yet. He is the only witness to testify to my early day experiences. As to the life and time of my brother in Arizona I shall not attempt to say anything. l only have his statement as to his age. l was 70 years old the Eth day of October, 1918, and my opinion is that John Hance must have been over S5 years old at the time of his death. He is the third child in three sets of children in family of fifteen, 13 boys and girls. John Hance was a man full grown ever since I can remember, and went to Pike's Peak in 1859. Outside of the times he was not in this country, the above to the best of my recollection is substantially correct.
 I had a bad case of influenza set