From The Columbus Journal - October 21, 1882

FRANK NORTH

The first nominee of the Democratic County Convention is so well known to the people of Platte County that he needs but little introduction from us. There are few persons who have been in our county even the small time of six months but who have heard of the brave soldier and scout who served with Curtis, Connor and Crook in their hazardous warfare with the sanguinary red skins. But that all may know and esteem his brave deeds as they who are intimately acquainted with him do, we will give a brief biographical sketch of his life.

Frank North was born in Thompkins County, New York on the 10th day of March 1840, and while yet in his infancy, his parents moved to Richland Co., Ohio, where they lived until 1856 when they removed to then far distant city--looming like a star of unusual magnitude in the west--Omaha. All the educational advantages he had were in the Ohio public schools, and the intelligence which a bright, grasping mind obtains from the contact with the world.

In the spring of 1857 his father, sad as it is to record, was frozen, and there was left to his support a mother, two sisters and younger brother. He, then but a mere youth, heroically undertook the task, and kept the family together by the sweat of his honest brow, engaged in such occupations as would bring him the money necessary for the maintenance of the family. A year later he came to Columbus, and took a pre emption about five miles north west of the city, the place now known as the Dale farm, and farmed for the next two years.

In 1860 he abandoned his preemption, and went to work for the agent at the Pawnee reservation; in a year's time he was so well posted in the Pawnee langauge that he was employed by the Post Trader as clerk and interpreter, in whose employ he remained until he went into the United States service, the major portion of which time he managed the entire business of the Post Trader, who remained at his home in the east. In 1864 his military career commenced, and he was chosen 1st Lieutenant of the famous Pawnee Scouts under the command of Major General Samuel Curtis. After the summer campaign was over, he was authorized to re-organize the Pawnee Scouts, and on October 24, he was commissioned Captain of Company A, by Gov. Saunders, and placed in command. At this time, probably as much as any other, have the people cause to be thankful to Major North, for by having this organization credited to Platte County instead of the State in general, Platte County's quota of soldiers was filled, and the residents were exempt from draft.

In 1865 he went on the Powder River campaign with Gen. Conner, and in November of the same year returned to the Pawnee Reservation and took command of the Post, remaining there until the following spring. In the fall of 1866 he was appointed Post Trader by President Johnson. The following spring he organized a battalion of four companies of Pawnee Scouts, and continued in the service until 1871, and it was at this time that he and Cody (Buffalo Bill) had their many wondrous adventures. During 1871 and the succeeding four years he was acting as a guide and scout for troops in the north and west but in 1876 he re-organized the Pawnee Scouts and went with General Crook on his periolous winter campaign in the Yellow Stone Mountains, and when he returned the following spring, and the scouts were mustered out of the service, appreciation of his valuable services was shown in the following letter:

HEADQ'TERS DEP'T OF PLATTE, IN THE FIELD, CAMP ROBINSON, NEB.,
April 19th, 1877.

CAPT. FRANK NORTH, COM. PAWNEE SCOUTS, SIDNEY, NEB.

Dear Sir:
The muster out of the Pawnee Scouts was ordered by Lietu. Gen. Sheridan. There is no longer any necessity for the employment of scouts, nor is there any appropriation on hand from which to pay them; for which reason I regret I shall not be able to retain you in service.

I think it just and appropriate to thank you for your excellent behavior during the time of your stay in the military service under my command, and to say that the soldierlike conduct and discipline of the Pawnee Scouts is the mot eloquent testimony that could be adduced to prove your fitness for the position you have held as Commanding Officer.
I remain very Respectfully,
Your Obedient Servant,
GEORGE CROOK, Brigadier General.

The legislature of the State were also proud of Frank North's achievements and record, and in a JOINT RESOLUTION, passed and approved February 23rd 1870 is the following.

Resolved, That the thanks of this body and of the people of the State of Nebraska are hereby also tendered to MAJ. FRANK J. NORTH, and the officers and soldiers, under his command, of Pawnee Scouts for the heroic manner in which they have assisted in driving hostile indians from our frontier settlement.

Since Maj. North was mustered out of the service, he has lived in Columbus, he has been engaged in a cattle enterprise upon Dismal River, but in June last he sold his cattle, and, while not now actively engaged in any business, he expects to go into something at home.

The voters of Platte County in giving their franchise to this brave man cannot go amiss, for certainly a man who won himself fame, and the confidence of his superior officers in the indian campaigns, cannot be found wanting when the interest of his country are at stake. Give him your votes, send him to the legislature, and not one in this county will ever have to repent the election of Frank North. He will stand by you in all trials, and in every instance where the interest of the people are opposed by any power of whatever kind, you can be assured that he will stand shoulder to shoulder with the people, and fight their battle to the end.