Jack Stilwell: The Fearless Frontier Scout Who Rode Through Hell for His Comrades

The American West was forged by individuals of immense courage and resilience, and among them, Simpson Everett “Jack” Stilwell stands as a testament to the adventurous spirit of the frontier. A multifaceted figure, Stilwell served as a United States Army Scout, a U.S. Deputy Marshal, a police judge, and a U.S. Commissioner in Oklahoma. His name is indelibly linked to one of the most harrowing tales of survival and heroism on the plains: the Battle of Beecher Island, where his daring actions were instrumental in bringing relief to his besieged unit.

From Iowa Farm to Frontier Legend

Born on August 18, 1850, in Iowa City, Stilwell’s early life took an unconventional turn. After his parents divorced and his father moved the family to Kansas in 1862, a young Jack left home at the tender age of 14. He journeyed to Kansas City, Missouri, then joined a wagon train bound for Santa Fe, New Mexico Territory. The ensuing years saw him traversing the plains, engaging in buffalo hunts during the winters, and working with wagon trains in the spring. He even briefly served in Company B, 18th Missouri Infantry, during the Civil War, experiencing the harsh realities of conflict at a remarkably young age.

The Hero of Beecher Island

Joining Forsyth’s Scouts

In March 1867, almost 17, Stilwell enlisted with the U.S. Army at Fort Dodge, Kansas, initially as a laborer before quickly becoming a scout. Recognizing the need for skilled frontiersmen, General Philip Sheridan authorized Major George A. Forsyth to raise a special company of 50 scouts. On August 24, 1868, 18-year-old Jack, described as “a youth of six feet three or more, short of years but long on frontier lore,” signed up for Forsyth’s Scouts, known initially as the “Solomon Avengers.” These scouts were tasked with combating hostile Native American tribes in the region.

The Battle and Stilwell’s Impossible Mission

On September 17, 1868, while trailing a Cheyenne raiding party, Forsyth’s Scouts found themselves vastly outnumbered and ambushed by Cheyenne Dog Soldiers under Chief Roman Nose on a small sandbar in the Arikaree Fork of the Republican River, near present-day Wray, Colorado. This became known as the Battle of Beecher Island. The scouts dug into the sand, fighting desperately from behind their dead horses, repelling charge after charge. By nightfall, four scouts lay dead, and 15 were wounded, including Major Forsyth himself.

With their situation dire, Forsyth called for volunteers to seek help. Jack Stilwell, despite his youth, stepped forward. Against incredible odds, Stilwell and fellow scout Pierre Trudeau embarked on a perilous journey. They crawled on their bellies for the first several miles to evade hundreds of warriors, then traveled only under the cover of night, subsisting on spoiled horse meat that made them ill. After four grueling days, they reached Fort Wallace and delivered Forsyth’s desperate dispatch. Though exhausted and his feet bruised and filled with cactus needles, Stilwell insisted on joining the relief command back to Beecher Island, his joy at seeing his comrades alive a testament to his profound loyalty. Scout John Hurst would later call the teenage Jack “one of the bravest, nerviest and coolest men in the command.”

A Life of Continued Frontier Service

Following his heroism at Beecher Island, Stilwell continued his service. His exceptional courage was recognized with an increased monthly pay of $100, a rate enjoyed by only two other scouts, surpassing even that of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody, whom Stilwell met at Fort Hays. Stilwell and Trudeau were later assigned to guide the 19th Kansas Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Samuel Johnson Crawford, to rendezvous with Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry. Despite warnings about inexperienced guides, the regiment faced severe hardships, getting lost in a blizzard, suffering heavy horse losses, and arriving at Camp Supply after Custer had already departed for the Battle of Washita.

Stilwell’s career further diversified:

• Post Guide at Fort Sill: In 1871, he became a guide at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
• Witness to the Buffalo Slaughter: A trip with General Phillip Sheridan in 1872 foreshadowed the decimation of bison herds, a tragedy Stilwell witnessed firsthand.
• Peacemaker and Messenger: He played a role in preventing an uprising by intercepting Kiowa Chiefs Satanta and Big Tree’s return in 1872. In 1874, he made a daring 75-mile solo ride through hostile territory for aid and scouted for General “Black Jack” Davidson. In 1875, he helped persuade the Quahada Comanche, including Quanah Parker, to surrender.

Later Life and Legacy

Jack Stilwell’s personal life was also touched by the turbulent West. His younger brother, Frank Stilwell, became an outlaw involved in the infamous Earp-Clanton feud. After Frank was killed by Wyatt Earp’s Vendetta Posse in 1882, Jack briefly sought revenge, hunting the Earps with other Arizona cowboys before returning to Oklahoma.

In subsequent years, Stilwell transitioned from military service to law enforcement and civic duties. He was commissioned as a Deputy U.S. Marshal in Texas (1885) and Kansas (1887), served as a police judge in El Reno, Oklahoma, and later became a U.S. Commissioner in Anadarko, where he also practiced law. In 1895, he married Esther Hannah White. His reputation and friendships remained strong; in 1898, Buffalo Bill Cody invited Jack and Esther to his ranch in Wyoming, where Stilwell managed Cody’s interests and served another term as a U.S. Commissioner. Jack Stilwell passed away from pneumonia on February 24, 1903, and was laid to rest near Cody, Wyoming, leaving behind a legacy of bravery and dedicated service.

Conclusion

Simpson Everett “Jack” Stilwell epitomized the grit and complexity of the American frontier. From a runaway teenager to a pivotal figure in one of the West’s most famous battles, his life was a tapestry woven with courage, hardship, and unwavering commitment. His heroic ride for help at Beecher Island solidified his place as a true frontier legend, a man who, against impossible odds, delivered hope and ultimately saved lives. Stilwell’s diverse career as a scout, lawman, and public servant reflects the dynamic evolution of a changing West, a landscape he helped to shape with his extraordinary bravery and steadfast character.