This 1906 mystery cowboy landed in my hands at a flea market this weekend. I was coping with time not riding a horse during our April blizzard. Buffalo Bill? Wild Bill Hickok? Close, but not.
If you blow up the name under the postcard’s picture, it says “J.W. Crawford”.
Captain Jack Crawford was an Army scout who rode 350 miles in six days from nearby Fort Laramie in Wyoming to deliver news of victory over the Sioux to eastern newspapers in 1876. People were hungry for good news a few months after the disaster of Custer’s Last Stand at the Little Bighorn. As a horse lover, I mention the story because Captain Jack may have killed at least two horses on the ride.
I don’t see this particular postcard image out in The Cloud with Captain Jack’s other memorabilia.
If you look closely, it comes from a December 18, 1906 “Teachers’ Institute” in Bedford, Pennsylvania. After his famous ride, Captain Jack hit the entertainment circuit and even helped Buffalo Bill with his Wild West Show, that is until Captain Jack shot himself in the groin and blamed it on Buffalo Bill’s drinking. People loved Captain Jack and he “lectured” at the December 1906 Teachers’ Institute.
The lecture course for the Teachers’ Institute of December 17-21 next promises entertainment. There is not a dry sentence in Capt., Jack Crawford’s lecture. There is not a dull statement in Frank Dixon’s oration. Crawford will be here on Tuesday evening and Dixon on Thursday evening.
– The Bedford Gazette
The name “J.M. Karns” appears in handwriting next to Captain Jack’s portrait. The circa 1910 photo below includes John Karns, a young teacher-turned-farmer with his family. He was born 1881 in Bedford and made education a lifelong quest.
Interesting to imagine the hands that touched this card and the miles it traveled. I think young John Karns attended that December 1906 Teachers’ Institute session in Bedford. I also think Captain Jack signed the postcard to John. Look at the similar J’s and the swirl underlines on the C in Crawford’s signature, per Wikipedia, as well as the K in Karns.
Cool stuff for a day without a horse fix.
You might also enjoy ‘Gruesome end for Father of Fort Collins; historic farm revealed‘
More great photos of Captain Jack Crawford at the University of Iowa Digital Library.
Hi there… my name is Debbie Probst Gipson. I was wandering the internet looking at info about Captain Jack Crawford. I guess I should back up a little. I have written a book about my husbands ancestors. His great grandfather was William Wallace Bass, he started tourism at the Grand Canyon in 1883. Long story short… he was a lifelong friend of Capt. Jack. The Captain actually wrote a poem about the Canyon titled, God’s Ante Room. Before I wrote the book I had never heard of Jack but through the 4 years of my research I came to know him well. His life was amazing and I loved his hokey poetry. Truth be told I sort of became smitten with him. I have a section in my book about him , his life, his relationship to W.W., and some of his poems. Thanks for sharing your little gem. Take a look at our website, grandcanyonproject.com, I think you will enjoy it.
Stay Curious…Deb