Unsung History

Since these columns began, I’ve looked at a lot of different characters from our home area who’ve caught my eye for their historical significance.  One not much discussed but one I’ve been wanting to cover is J. T. Hickey, an owner of a livery stable in Sheldon.  Over the last few years I’ve collected information regarding his life and times including relevant articles in the archives of The Sheldon Progress and other periodicals of the time.  Plus that, descendants of Hickey shared valuable information, too.  

Interest in him started at the time when I discovered his obituary in the April 12, 1923 edition of the Sheldon Progress newspaper.  The headline read, “J. T. Hickey, Reno’s Freighter Died Suddenly Last Friday.”  Now, I’ve always held an interest in 19th century history as it concerns the westward movement of settlement, and who among us has not heard of General Custer and his misdeeds during this time?  Well, that headline meant quite a bit to me in relation to the Custer story and I set about learning more about this J. T. Hickey who lived his latter years in Sheldon.

While in Sheldon he lived a mundane life for a time as the owner-manager of the livery stable located, as they often were, across the street from the railroad depot.  A demand for this service existed as salesmen or other people looking at business opportunities or land purchases could come off the train, walk across the street, and rent horses and buggies for their transportation needs.  

He shared “with much vividness” some stories of his exploits in and around the state while serving as a government freighter driving ox teams.  The obituary tells of his presence on the wagon train that supplied Fort Ransom’s construction and later the establishment of Fort Abraham Lincoln.  That was the train  owned and operated by Donald Stevenson with whom I’ve also gathered a lot of information, and just now in an “aha” moment realized the connection between the two men.   That further adds to my understanding of both.  

A grandson of Mr. Hickey wrote a brief, but engaging narrative that contains some choice items of interest about both his grandmother and grandfather.  Mrs. Hickey did not feel safe in Sheldon, especially when her husband and sons were away.  She fortified herself and her nerves by carrying an equalizer, a small Colt revolver.  Remember this was the time of periodic and large hobo infestations who migrated in to work as harvest hands, but even disregarding the hobo factor, Sheldon had its share of rogues the year round.

Students of Custer and his 7th Cavalry’s defeat at the Little Big Horn know of the predicament Custer found himself in after wading into this vastly superior force.   His last written words on earth were, “Benteen.  Come on.  Big village.  Be quick.  Bring packs.  P.S. Bring packs.”  The family lore in the Hickey family deals with their connection to this message saying, “Custer’s last note (a request for help) was dropped by the officer who received it, and my Grandfather picked it up and later sent it on to Custer’s widow.”  Will any corroboration for that be found?  I’d sure like to find it.  Recorded history says, “Then, early in 1923, Major Fred Benteen, son of the gallant officer to whom the message was sent, told me that all his father's papers were destroyed when their home had burned long years before.” 

I realize a third figure belongs with Hickey and Stevenson, William V. Wade.  He was in and around Fort Abraham Lincoln at the time of its construction, so again, chances are great they all knew each other.  Wade was the subject of the first book I published, and I know his  exploits mesh with those of the other two.  It’s going to be fun drawing the lives of three pioneers like this together.

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The weekly grind of writing and presenting acceptable articles for this column needs to be at rest for the summer.  If the editor can again find a space for me, I plan to return in September.