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Post by Lawtonka on Apr 21, 2006 17:56:15 GMT -6
 The cemetery at Fort Abraham Lincoln is dotted with memorial markers for soldiers who were buried there. As with most Post Closings, the remains of the soldiers were removed to National Cemeteries. These men were moved to Little Bighorn National Cemetery. Wooden markers reflect the remembrance of those who were buried there. |
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Post by George Armstrong Custer on Apr 22, 2006 2:11:39 GMT -6
Now that's an intriguing inscription on the marker on the far left of your second photo:
'John Steinker............Suicide by Opium'
Anyone know anything about the man or the circumstances leading to his death?
Ciao,
GAC
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Post by Lawtonka on Apr 22, 2006 5:07:25 GMT -6
It would be interesting to find out his circumstances, maybe someone can help us out. What I do know from Men With Custer Edited by Ron Nichols, is the following:
John R. Steinker
He was born in Hanover, Germany (1835), a Farrier in Company K, participated in the hilltop fight at LBH. Enlisted November 30, 1872, age 37, in Louisville, KY by Lt. William Cooke. Reduced from Farrier to Private on August 1, 1876. Died in company quarters on November 28, 1876, at Fort Abraham Lincoln. Cause of death was suicide by use of opium. Buried in Post Cemetery, Fort Lincoln. Reinterred in the Custer Battlefield National Cemetery beside John Noonan. He had brown eyes, dark hair, ruddy complexion and was 5' 11 1/2" inches tall. He was a member of Company K.
I can only assume that given his age, having served in combat, and the misery of Frontier soldering and being reduced in ranks that he was suffering from severe depression. Sounds like the use of opium might indicate an addiction which may have caused his downfall.
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