11/1/2009:
The death of Philip Hill was reported on this day in 1917 in the pages of the Jamestown Weekly Alert. The paper claimed that Hill was the “last living survivor” of the Battle of the Little Big Horn. Hill spoke often about his role in the battle, telling anyone within earshot that he had been wounded during the battle after taking a long knife to his right side by an Indian. He claimed that, upon falling from the blow, he fell right next to General Custer, and witnessed his death. Although Hill worked as a supply train driver for the army during this time, it is unlikely his story was true, as he was just one many who made such claims that for decades after the battle were printed in numerous papers and magazines. Most historians today recognize the horse Comanche as the sole US Army survivor of the battle.
Dakota Datebook written by Jayme L. Job
Source:
Jamestown Weekly Alert. <span style="normal;" Nov. 1, 1917: p.3.