Posted by (+8) 7 years ago
Hi there,
My Great Uncle, John C. Oster lived in Miles City starting around 1910 through 1920. In 1920 he joined Fred Barton, Jess Perkins, Colie Ward, Tut Camblin and Bert "Pinkie" Putnam in China to breed horses for the Chinese warlords at the time. Described in Larry Weirather's book: "Fred Barton and the Warlords' Horses of China: How an American Cowboy Brought the Old West to the Far East".
Later he settled in Deer Lodge and became Captain of the Guards at the state prison. In May 1931, he was found dead in his car on the outskirts of Butte with several gunshot wounds to the head. It was ruled as a suicide. I have newspaper articles, his death certificate, Coroner's Inquest and various other items from the Butte Archives. It is all very general information. I was wondering if anyone out there has any family stories, rumors, photos or otherwise in regards to John. I know he competed in the Miles City Round-Up in 1919 and was friends with a man by the name of Pat "PJ" O'Kane. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-Andy
My Great Uncle, John C. Oster lived in Miles City starting around 1910 through 1920. In 1920 he joined Fred Barton, Jess Perkins, Colie Ward, Tut Camblin and Bert "Pinkie" Putnam in China to breed horses for the Chinese warlords at the time. Described in Larry Weirather's book: "Fred Barton and the Warlords' Horses of China: How an American Cowboy Brought the Old West to the Far East".
Later he settled in Deer Lodge and became Captain of the Guards at the state prison. In May 1931, he was found dead in his car on the outskirts of Butte with several gunshot wounds to the head. It was ruled as a suicide. I have newspaper articles, his death certificate, Coroner's Inquest and various other items from the Butte Archives. It is all very general information. I was wondering if anyone out there has any family stories, rumors, photos or otherwise in regards to John. I know he competed in the Miles City Round-Up in 1919 and was friends with a man by the name of Pat "PJ" O'Kane. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-Andy