Cook, John R 1979-06-29

Paul Williams gives a book review of The Border and the Buffalo, by John R. Cook, in which he relates his experiences as a hide hunter and gives an account of the Yellowhouse(Thompson’s) Canyon battle.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: John R. Cook

Additional Parties Recorded:

Date: June 29, 1979

Location:

Interviewer: Paul Williams

Length: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Location, Theme of book, Page 81, Antonio Ramero family at La Glorietta, New Mexico, Relations with family, John R. Cook, Kin to Governor of New Mexico, Buffalo hunt in Panhandle, Left October 10, 1874, Route of trip, Learning how to Buffalo, Page 85, Anecdote: Searching out Americans, Page 108, Adobe Walls, Met Woods family, Page 136, Woods family, White Deer Creek, Page 137, Old Government Trail, Page 139, Cook bought rifle, Made it to Fort Elliot with Woods family, Page 150, Store at Sweetwater, All kinds of supplies, Page 152, Beginning for all battle stories, He was anxious to get a war department map, Cook's background, Page 153, Importance of finding water, Reunion of Cook and Ramero, Cook's prejudices against Mexicans, His feelings toward Ramero, Page 156, Cook changed his mind about his prejudices toward Mexicans, Page 159, Charles Hart, Famous Buffalo hunter, Background and experiences, Warren Dockum, Frank Williamson, Left Sweetwater with Hart, January 1, 1875, Laws and rules to protect the Buffalo, Page 165, Route traveled, Page 185, Page 217, Selling Buffalo hides, Travelers directions to Hart's Camp, Worked with Hart but never were partners, Page 223, Partnership offered by Cook to Cook, John R. Cook refused and they split, The two Cooks did not meet again until 1877, Page 261, Sitting Bull and Custer

Tape 1, Side 2: Names of Englishmen in camp, Crazy Burns, Snowstorm, Indian escape, Page 272, Location of camps, Page 275, Sewall's camp, Page 277, Encounter with Indians, Sewall, Sharp's guns, "Voodoo" gun, Page 292, Going out for Indians, Smokey Hill Thompson left in control, 42 faithfuls, Page 293, Commanders, Hank Camel - first, Jim Smith - second, Joel Freed - third, Smokey Hill Thompson never made it on the planes to the fight, Page 296, Indians, Page 297, Camp, Casa Amarillo, Comparisons of canyons by Cook's map, Scouting, Page 304, Chapter 9, Killing an Indian, Page 308, Listening for water, Page 312, Page 313, Relationship between Indians and Mexicans prior to battles, Page 314, Battle

Tape 2, Side 1: Page 323, Arrival, Captain Lee of G Company, 10th U. S. Cavalry, Special mission, Capture Indians, Page 332, Captain Lee successful, Page 333, Captain Lee kin to General Robert E. Lee, Page 335, Caves and tunnels in sand hills, Numbers of Indian deaths and injuries, Battle with Lee, Page 337, Talk with the Indians, Anecdote: Incidents of Indians killed using "Voodoo" gun, Page 334, Comanche awakening, Forlorn Hope, Page 346, Chapter 10, Beginning of the "Lost Nigger Battalion Story", Page 349, Headed for Casa Amarillo, Other troubles, Page 365, Soldiers headed for Bull Creek Mountains, Page 374, Quanah Parker, Page 382, Scouting for water, Splitting of the group, Page 394, Page 405, Quanah Parker watching them, Meeting surveying party, One League to Each Wind, Page 91, TAPE ENDS

Tape 2, Side 2: Blank

Range Dates: 1874-1979

Bulk Dates: Late 1800s

Access Information

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