Captain Jack Crawford: Buckskin Poet, Scout, and Showman

Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This book could not have been written without the generous help of many individuals. I am deeply indebted to Harriett Richardson, who had the foresight to preserve CaptainJackmemorabilia , donating much of her collection to the RioGrande Historical Collections at New Mexico State University Library. She also gave me access to the materials she retains in her possession. Her warm friendship and constant support have been deeply appreciated . I am indebted also to other members of the Crawford family for sharing information: Evelyn M. Lewis, Marion Hageman, Harry R. Crawford, Fred Crawford, and LaurieNauman. A very large debt of gratitude is due several scholars who read portions of the manuscript and offered valuable suggestions for its improvement:Jo Tice Bloom,Bruce Dinges, RobinA. Fisher, Paul Hedren,Joan M.Jensen, LindaJ. Lear, ShirleyA.Leckie,Valerie S. Mathes, and John P. Wilson. In addition, Paul Hedren shared information and photographs from hisprivate collection, and Linda Lear provided memorable hospitality during a research trip to the National Archives. On this same trip, I discussed aspects of the manuscript with the late Sara D.Jackson, who first introduced me to the joys of conducting research in the nation's capital. I pay tribute to her memory. Partial funding for this research trip was provided by the Arts and Sciences Research Center at New Mexico State University, award no. RC90-025. Special thanks go to the staff of the Rio Grande Historical Acknowledgments Collections at New Mexico StateUniversityLibrary:Austin Hoover, director; Linda Blazer, assistant director; Tim Blevins, photo conservation technician; and student employees. Their cheerful assistance made working in the library a daily treat. Thanks also are due to Cheryl Wilson, head of special collections at New Mexico State University Library, for help in locating Crawford material. I am indebted also to the interlibrary loan staff at my university; their help in obtaining rare newspapers proved invaluable in the writing of this book. I wish to thank several people who provided information , photographs, or other assistance: Peter Blodgett, Donald H. Couchman, Jim Crain, Octavia Fellin, Eleanor M. Gehres, Jerome A. Greene, Marion C. Grinstead, Joseph M. Hanney, Elizabeth Kelley, Nancy T. Koupal, Gloria Lusby, Michael T. Meier, Susan Naulty, Linda Reese, Joseph G. Rosa, Lewis O. Saum, Bob Spude, Robert M. Utley, and Robert R.White. Thanks are also due to the staff and personnel at the following : Arizona Historical Society Library, The Bancroft Library, Buffalo Bill Historical Center, Dakota Wesleyan University Library , Deadwood Public Library, Denver Public Library, Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum, The Huntington Library, Museum of New Mexico, National Archives, New Mexico State Records Center and Archives, South Dakota State Historical Society, State Historical Society of Missouri, United States Army Military History Institute, University of British Colombia Library, and University of Washington Library. And, finally, I would like to thank my husband, AugustMiller , for patiently listening to Captain Jack stories and helping to track the Poet Scout's travels in New Mexico. This book is dedicated to Gus. XX CAPTAIN JACK CRAWFORD This page intentionally left blank ...