This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2RB.2ACE/8475.3 Message Board Post: Ogdensburg News, Sept. 30, 1916 Here's a copy/paste SURVIVOR OF OLD INDIAN WAR JOHN HURST OF LISBON ONE OF THREE LEFT—WENT TO COLORADO REUNION. A Colorado paper received here contains an account of the eighteenth annual encampment of the Beecher Island Battle Memorial Association, held at Wray, Col., to attend which John Hurst, a veteran of Lisbon, St. Lawrence county, crossed The continent. The celebration marked the 48th Anniversary of the the battle, and it was attended by a gathering of 7,000 persons. Three survivors were present, the others besides Mr. Hurst being J. J. Peate, of Beverly Kas., and Thomas Ranahan of Boise, Ida. This was Mr. Hurst’s first visit to the scene of the battle since 1868. Mr Peate has been present at every reunion of the association and Mr. Ranahan at all but two. The celebration lasted three days and was one of the most important gatherings ever held in that part of Colorado. Official representatives of three states, Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas were present. The Boy Scouts, Camp Fire Girls and other organizations assisted. Mr. Hurst, who is past 75, greatly enjoyed the reunion and expressed appreciation of what the people of the district were doing to commemorate the battle between his comrades of the Forsythe Scouts and the Indians under Chief Roman Nose. Soon after reaching his majority in 1851, Mr. Hurst left St. Lawrence county for the California gold fields. He was in the far west when the war began and enlisted in a California regiment, serving three years. His regiment took the place of regulars in Southern Arizona and New Mexico, and served the entire three years on the frontier. At the close of the war, Hurst located in Kansas and engaged with the government as freighter and scout. He was so engaged when General Sheridan called for 50 volunteers to accompany Colonel Forsythe and Lieutenant Beecher on the expedition that ended with the Battle of Beecher Island. Mr. Hurst is to spend the winter in Southern California.