Anyone heard of Scout Chapman?

[postadavis]

My father wrote a story about one day when he was in grade school (probably in the 1920's, in Portland, Oregon) hearing from a Scout Chapman. He was a scout near the battle of LBH. According to his story he told the school children that he had the bullet that killed General Custer, and then he displayed it.

Certainly a story like that needs to be made more certain, but I was wondering if anyone else has heard of this man who evidently traveled around giving talks at various schools.

Later on when I told about my father's story to my eighth grade class, the teacher laughed and told me that there was no way that there could be any survivors at LBH. I guess I should have mentioned that I was talking about a 'scout'.

If someone's interested I can post my father's story recalling this grade school experience.

Dave Davis

[Diane Merkel]

Welcome, Dave!

One of our members, who coincidentally uses the screen name Scout, has compiled a book of such stories, so he may be interested in getting a copy of your father's story. Feel free to post it here.

As you may have seen on the website, there were no scouts named Chapman at LBH but, if your first sentence is correct -- that he "was a scout near the battle of LBH" -- I'll reserve my judgment although I would bet that he is one of the many who made bogus claims.

Diane

[Scout]

Hey Dave...the person you are referring to is probably Alfred Chapman. Old Al claimed to have been a chief scout for Custer and said he was captured by Indians while hunting sheep near the LBH. Chapman said he was forced to watch the destruction of the 7th from a distance. [he would have made a great script writer for grade B westerns]

Chapman looked the part...long hair, mustache and goatee...he resembled Buffalo Bill. He became quite a celebrity for his time and autographed his own picture cards at fairs and carnivals. [those are quite a collectable] He eventually starred in a silent movie playing himself in 'Custer's Last Scout.' I think the ol' fellow was the best of the sole survivor claimants. his story was printed in a number of newspapers. Like a lot of the 'sole survivors' he avoided actual participants. Some historians applied some heat to his claim later on and reminded him he was listed nowhere on any rosters. Chapman said he was a civilian scout...yea, thats the ticket. Anyway, he was colorful and presented the picture of a real Indian scout. He eventually faded into obscurity. There are photos of him...I have written a new story for the LBH Research Review and have done a painting of him for the article. Your Dad got to meet him? wow, that pretty impressive...he was a colorful character.

Scout

[Scout]

Would love to read your Father's story....

[Scout]

postadavis...I would really love to read your Father's story of his encounter with Scout Chapman if you haven't fallen off the end of the earth.

I didn't know Chapman made school appearances but he was quite a self promoter. Very interested in the story though...