Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on January 18, 1936.
‘BRONCHO JOHN’ INDIAN WARS VET TO GET AID
Veteran of Frontier Days, Now 77, To Be Rewarded by U.S. If Halleck’s Plans Succeed.
THRILLING DAYS IN WEST ARE RECALLED
Through efforts of Congressman Charles Halleck, of Second Indiana district, and Edmund Freund, of Valparaiso, republican chairman of second district, John H. Sullivan, known to hundreds of Valparaiso citizens as “Broncho John,” is going to get some measure of reward for valiant service rendered as an Indian fighter in the western frontier days, the Spanish-American war and Philippine troubles.
Back in 1929, Mr. Sullivan received a pension of $20 per month through the passage of a special bill in congress. Now Congressman Halleck is endeavored to obtain an increase in pension and ranking as an enlisted man for the veteran fighter now nearing the age of seventy-seven years.
Sometime ago, Attorney Freund obtained a life membership in Valparaiso Lodge of Elks for Mr. Sullivan in recognition of his services on the field of battle.
John H. Sullivan was born in 1859 in Wyoming. He made his debut as an Indian scout when twelve years of age. In 1871 he made his first trip with two Oregon horses to Fort Laramie, Texas, then south to San Antonio. The next year he went up the trail with a herd of 5,000 cattle, fighting many battles with white outlaw bands. Two hundred and fifty miles of the journey was spent in warding off attacks of Commache Indians.
Shortly after the Custer massacre at Little Big Horn river, Montana, he acted as scout courier for General Carr, of the fifth cavalry. The friendship resulting from this meeting ripened with the passing years, and was a pleasant memory in the lives of both men.
In the Apache war Broncho John had many thrilling experiences. He took part in many of the battles and skirmishes in New Mexico, Texas and Arizona, and was present when Lieutenant Smith, with many soldiers and citizens, was killed in 1881. In one of the uprisings of this war Mr. Sullivan saved a family of twelve after forty Indians had them surrounded. For this heroic act the citizens of Deming, N.M., presented him with a medal. He also made a historical ride from Fort Bayard, N.M., to Prescott, Ariz., with dispatches to Territorial Governor Trandall for reinforcements against the Indians. This journey was 1,000 miles over mountain ranges and deserts, and was made entirely at night on his pony.
Mr. Sullivan also participated in the Sioux wars, being present at the battle of Wounded Knee, December 29, 1890.
In the Spanish-American War, Mr. Sullivan served … for the Fourth Army Corps with General Coppinger, and directed the transportation of this army to the relief of General Shafter. He also served with the Seventh Army Corps with General Fitzhugh Lee. He directed the move of this army from Jacksonville, Fla., to Cuba. He was master of transportation, embarkation and disembarkation of these two big successful armies. His excellent work in moving the men, animals and supplies for the army during the war, won him commendation of men high in military circles and also praise from President McKinley.
During the troubles in the Philippines in 1899, 1900, and 1901, he made three round trips to the islands from Washington, D.C. on expert duty. On March 4, 1909, Mr. Sullivan was appointed and served as aide-de-camp on the staff of Major-General J.F. Bell, commander of the United States army and was grand marshal at the inauguration of President Taft.
When Buffalo Bill organized his wild west show in 1883, Mr. Sullivan was the premier broncho buster and buffalo rider of the show. He was the only man who could fight and conquer a wild buffalo bull. He was also a crack pistol shot and traveled with Dr. Carver and Captain Bogardus, regarded as the best pistol shots in the world.