We visited the Sheldon Cemetery yesterday to decorate my dad's grave. I took some time to wander among the tombstones with a goal in mind of finding the marker for John T. Hickey. Without too much trouble I found it beneath a fir tree that had displaced and moved the marker as it grew to maturity. Why be interested in this man? This obituary from the April 12, 1923 Sheldon Progress explains it (Several portions of it deleted). . .
J. T. Hickey, Reno's Freighter Died Suddenly Last Friday
(First two paragraphs not included)
Deceased was one of the old timers in the state, coming to Dakota Territory fifty-two years ago at the age of seventeen. Coming from the east, he was out for adventures and in 1871 entered the employment of the government and freighted with ox teams between Winnipeg, Fargo and Fort Abercrombie. He was a freighter with Major Reno's command at the time of the Custer massacre and often related with much vividness the stirring times of encounters with the savage Indian tribes that roamed over the state. He passed through this section when scarcely any settlers were here, with the train of government supplies from Fort Abercrombie, to Ft. Ransom, and then on to Fort Lincoln where the troops were quartered.
John T. Hickey was born at Baltimore, Md, November 27, 1854, and died April 6, 1923, being near his seventieth year of age. When seven years of age he moved with his family to St. Louis, Mo. He learned the printers trade, but on coming west in 1871 did not follow this vocation. . . .
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In 1909 he purchased the Sheldon livery barn which he operated and also engaged in the livery business at Enderlin.
John T. Hickey was born at Baltimore, Md, November 27, 1854, and died April 6, 1923, being near his seventieth year of age. When seven years of age he moved with his family to St. Louis, Mo. He learned the printers trade, but on coming west in 1871 did not follow this vocation. . . .
...
In 1909 he purchased the Sheldon livery barn which he operated and also engaged in the livery business at Enderlin.
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When Custer approached the scene of his demise he decided to divide his soldiers into a three prong attack on the Indian village. He did not know enough about the size of the camp or the lay of the land when he sent a third of the men under the command of Captain Benteen to attack one sector and another third under the command of Major Marcus Reno to strike another part. Custer was annihilated, but Benteen and Reno's command survived albeit with lots of casualties. What Hickey experienced at the battle is unknown, but it will make rich fodder for an exciting piece of historical fiction. Stay tuned!
Freighters accompanied the soldiers in the field to haul supplies for them as well as grain for the horses. Hickey was somewhere in the mix in this battle.
When Custer approached the scene of his demise he decided to divide his soldiers into a three prong attack on the Indian village. He did not know enough about the size of the camp or the lay of the land when he sent a third of the men under the command of Captain Benteen to attack one sector and another third under the command of Major Marcus Reno to strike another part. Custer was annihilated, but Benteen and Reno's command survived albeit with lots of casualties. What Hickey experienced at the battle is unknown, but it will make rich fodder for an exciting piece of historical fiction. Stay tuned!
Freighters accompanied the soldiers in the field to haul supplies for them as well as grain for the horses. Hickey was somewhere in the mix in this battle.
