An undated photograph of Jack Crawford of Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
The photo, which is from the Schuylkill County Historical Society, was published in the “Looking Back” feature of the Pottsville Republican, March 25, 1978. The text is by Joseph M. Hanney, who was the vice president of the society.
CAPTAIN JACK CRAWFORD – The ‘Poet Scout”
Capt. Jack Crawford, ‘Capt. Jack’, of Minersville, the ‘Poet-Scout’, contributed greatly to the opening of our Country’s frontier following the Civil War.
Remaining yet little-known in Schuylkill County, his exploits throughout the west are a subject of periodic publication today.
He joined the 48th Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, and was injured in the great battle of Spotsylvania Court House, later being wounded again at Petersburg.
Carrying a letter of recommendation from General Sherman, he struck out for the frontier. he was one of the pioneers of the Black Hills, chief of their scouts, and one of the founders of Custer City, Deadwood, Crook, Gayville and Spearfish.
During the Indian Campaign of 1876, he was second in command of General Crook’s Scouts, and later superseded Buffalo Bill as chief. His exploits won him wide fame through the frontier. He was handsome, colorful, and flamboyant.
In frequent visits ‘back east’, and through later years, he was in demand on many occasions for his story-telling of the western frontier, told many times in poetry form.
Indeed, much could be written on the ‘Poet-Scout’ Captain Jack Crawford, of Minersville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania.
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From Newspapers.com.
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