The Wonderful Years
A history of Nuckolls County, Nebraska
1871 - 1971
by Nuckolls County Centennial, Inc.
"Parson Bob" Landon, Indian scout and foster father of "Calamity Jane," was born Phillip R. Landon in 1846 on Goat Island in the Missouri River near Decatur, Nebraska. He died at the age of 87, clear-eyed and sturdy. Even in his advanced age he traveled extensively and could read a book without aid of glasses.
Last of the contract scouts who protected the caravans along the Oregon Trail, "Parson Bob's" body was bullet-scarred from long years of Indian fighting. His dress was typical of his day, long straight hair, swagging mustache which infringed a small goatee, heavy blue shirt, large hat and ornaments--his conventional outfit. His walk was swift and sure, that of soldierly bearing, and his memory unclouded of his many years on the prairie.
Landon was left an orphan at an early age and was adopted by an Indian tribe which taught him the Indian language before returning him to his own people ten years later. Then followed fourteen years service as a caravan guard from the Nebraska line to Fort Casper, Wyoming. While with General Custer in the Big Horn country of South Dakota, he was wounded seriously by arrows and rifle bullets. He was reputedly the last survivor of the caravan scouts.
For 34 years, Landon lived at Sterling, Nebraska. He was a close friend of "Wild Bill" Hickok, Buffalo Bill, and "Diamond Dick" (Dr. Richard Tanner of Norfolk).
On November 22, 1933, "Parson Bob" went to where his "Old West" had gone. He died in his room at Dana College at Blair, where he had been conducting researches in connection with Indian mound in the area and lecturing to students on pioneer life in Nebraska. In his pocket was found the key to a gate in an iron fence enclosing a memorial statue near Angus, erected to "Bob" by Boy Scouts. He was a member of the national council, Boy Scouts of America. His wish was to be buried in this spot.
==============================
The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, November 23, 1933
Phillip R. Landon, better known as "Parson Bob," passed away suddenly Wednesday morning at the age of 87 years. He was found dead in his room in the dormitory of Dana College of Blair, Nebr., where he was ingaged (sic) in teaching history of Nebraska.
"Parson Bob," a plainsman and frontier scout, had lived most of his life in Nebraska being a pioneer of this state. He was known in practically every town in Nebraska, if not personally, then by his reputation and character which stamped him as one of the finest men that ever lived.
He was well known in this community, having visited here occasionally, and having spent part of one summer with the Edgar Boy Scouts at their cabin on the Blue river (sic).
Short services were held Tuesday afternoon at Dana College.
The body is to be brought here and funeral services will be held at the Scout cabin Friday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. B.H. Schrader will officiate at the funeral which is in charge of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts, and will be a military funeral. -- Edgar Sun.
Mr. Landon was quite well known in Nuckolls county (sic). He spent some considerable time in Oak and Ruskin last summer.
==========================
The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, November 30, 1933; pgs. 1 & 6
The funeral service of "Parson Bob" Landon was one of the largest ever held in Nuckolls county (sic). It was different. Near the outpost, where for fourteen years he was Scout of the Oregon trail (sic) his body now lies at rest. Large crowds from near and far viewed the remains of the deceased as they lay in state in the Scout Cabin, a few feet from his resting place. His was a large group of mourners.
The service was conducted by Rev. B.H. Schrader, American Legion Chaplain, the eulogy by President Erland Nelson of Dana College, Rev. Schrader was assisted by Rev. Rasmussen and Rev. Hughes of Edgar, and the sermon was given by Rev. W.B. Zimmerman of Nelson, Doctor Keith of Edgar, and Mrs. Eva Follmer of Oak whose husband was the first treasurer of Nuckolls county (sic), each gave a brief response. Music was furnished by a male quartet from Edgar. Boy Scout troops, a drum corps, a bugle corps, military men and the Indian Death Farewell by "Princess Towana" added to the impressiveness of the service.
Philip Robert Landon
Philip Robert Landon was born April 15, 1846, on Goat Island, Iowa Territory, near where in (sic) now Decatur, Nebraska. When but a few months old his mother died, and as his father was a military man he was adopted into a Pottawatomie Indian family living near by, who raised him until he was about ten years of age; when he started out on his own. He went to Omaha City, thence westward over the Overland Trail to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming. He was attached to the military post as a helper, and with the assistance of the officers and his own determination he obtained a very limited education. He later was employed by the government as a contract scout, being too young to enlist in that branch of service. He was under General Custer during the first year of that Notable Campaign and received serious wounds in a skirmish with the Indians on the 17th day of June, 1876. A few days prior to the Custer Massacre he had been relieved of active Scout duty and was being returned to Deadwood for hospitalization. A few days upon his arrival at that City, he learned of his Chief's untimely end. He had previously operated on the Oregon Trail as pony express rider, scout, guarding transport wagon trains, and was also located as scout, with outpost near the Little Blue Station. His services as scout and civil officer which extended over a period of 29 years terminated about 1889.
In the middle of October, 1889, he was married to Miss Naomi Bishop of Eagleville, Mo. She accidentally shot herself two weeks later and died of the wounds. He later reentered the World's Faith Missionary Association, Shenandoah, Iowa, and was ordained a minister at that place by Rev. C.S. Hanley May 14, 1890. On May 22, 1893, he was married to Miss Gussie Dodge, near Waupaco, Wisconsin. At the end of 19 months his wife died, leaving an infant daughter who is now Mrs. Zola Carlson of Thief River Falls, Minn. On August 31, 1897, he was married to Miss Susanna Case at Tecumseh, Nebr. They resided in Sterling, Nebr., for almost 34 years, his wife having died August 24, 1931. Since that time he has visited in different parts of the country with friends and acquaintances.
When life departed him he was a guest of Dana College, Blair, Nebr., where he had been lecturing and investigating early Indian Cultures in that vicinity. He received the nickname "Parson Bob" after he had offered prayer at the grave of "Calamity" Jane's mother who had died of wounds received at the hands of the Indians. Calamity Jane received her nickname on the day of her mother's burial, after one of the mourning troupers, when observing the parentless child sleeping, he sobbed aloud: "Well, this is an awful calamity." Thereupon Parson Bob explained: "From henceforth she shall be called "Calamity Jane".
Parson Bob was made a member of The Knights of St. Galahad, Ancient Order, Knights of Scotland; Member of Council, at Furgis Falls, Minn., Episcopal Church, June 21st, 1932. Also Member of National Council, Boy Scouts of American. Served on Courts of Honor at Nebraska City, Auburn, and Falls City, Nebr., and St. Paul, Minn; as well as Staff Officer in various camps throughout the middle west. He lectured for many years throughout the central states on "The Old West," as he knew it, and lived it, for so many years. One might say that he was raised on the Oregon Trail. He never left it very far. He now is back, to rest --through the ages--at the place he loved best; near his old sentinel outpost, at the Little Blue Station, on the Old Oregon Trail.
================================
The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, July 6, 1933
Phil R. Landon, known as "Parson Bob," has organized a troop of Boy Scouts here, known as Scouts of the Oregon Trail. Headquarters are at the marker dedicated to his memory, less than a mile from Little Blue station on the Oregon trail. A large crowd from Angus, Oak and Edgar gathered at the outpost and celebrated the troop organization with a large bonfire. Mr. Landon gave a lecture on the Oregon trail. -- Ruskin Item in Deshler Rustler.
================================
--------------------------------------------
Hebron Journal (Hebron, NE), November 27, 2013
80 years ago, 1933:
The end of a colorful career came early for Phillip Robert Landon, widely known as "Parson Bob", who at the time of his death was the last living scout of the Oregon Trail. "Parson Bob" was found this morning in the guest room of Dana College at Blair. He spent five months of last spring in Thayer County at the home of George Lamb of Williams, where prehistoric Indian villages were being unearthed. From the pocket of "Parson Bob," famed Indian scout, they removed a tiny key this morning. It fits the lock to a small burial plot near Edgar. He will be buried near the "Little Blue Station," between Oak and Angus, where he was stationed in the early days. He bequeathed a mass of historical documents, letters, and newspaper clippings connecting him with the Old West to the Hastings Museum.
================
According to 1910 Sterling Precinct, Johnson County, Nebraska census and St. Lawrence, Waupaca, Wisconsin marriage license to Gussie Violet Dodge his middle name is Racine, but obits and newspaper articles state it is Robert. Philip, according to census records, as you can see all but the last census (1930) was born in 1868; he apparently started going by an earlier birth year later in his life, perhaps for better effect as he traveled around and gave lectures. He was living in the 1910 census with his wife Susanah Case in Sterling, Nebraska, where they lived for over 30 years
A copy of a letter by Della Landon, Philip’s half sister, from my cousin; that letter clearly places Philip in the family as son of Daniel Jasper Landon, who was born in 1846, so Philip could not have been born that same year.
This info is from Von Landon (#48545159). Von is related to Philip as a descendant of John Landon, brother of Philip’s grandfather David B. Landon (b. 1796).
A history of Nuckolls County, Nebraska
1871 - 1971
by Nuckolls County Centennial, Inc.
"Parson Bob" Landon, Indian scout and foster father of "Calamity Jane," was born Phillip R. Landon in 1846 on Goat Island in the Missouri River near Decatur, Nebraska. He died at the age of 87, clear-eyed and sturdy. Even in his advanced age he traveled extensively and could read a book without aid of glasses.
Last of the contract scouts who protected the caravans along the Oregon Trail, "Parson Bob's" body was bullet-scarred from long years of Indian fighting. His dress was typical of his day, long straight hair, swagging mustache which infringed a small goatee, heavy blue shirt, large hat and ornaments--his conventional outfit. His walk was swift and sure, that of soldierly bearing, and his memory unclouded of his many years on the prairie.
Landon was left an orphan at an early age and was adopted by an Indian tribe which taught him the Indian language before returning him to his own people ten years later. Then followed fourteen years service as a caravan guard from the Nebraska line to Fort Casper, Wyoming. While with General Custer in the Big Horn country of South Dakota, he was wounded seriously by arrows and rifle bullets. He was reputedly the last survivor of the caravan scouts.
For 34 years, Landon lived at Sterling, Nebraska. He was a close friend of "Wild Bill" Hickok, Buffalo Bill, and "Diamond Dick" (Dr. Richard Tanner of Norfolk).
On November 22, 1933, "Parson Bob" went to where his "Old West" had gone. He died in his room at Dana College at Blair, where he had been conducting researches in connection with Indian mound in the area and lecturing to students on pioneer life in Nebraska. In his pocket was found the key to a gate in an iron fence enclosing a memorial statue near Angus, erected to "Bob" by Boy Scouts. He was a member of the national council, Boy Scouts of America. His wish was to be buried in this spot.
==============================
The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, November 23, 1933
Phillip R. Landon, better known as "Parson Bob," passed away suddenly Wednesday morning at the age of 87 years. He was found dead in his room in the dormitory of Dana College of Blair, Nebr., where he was ingaged (sic) in teaching history of Nebraska.
"Parson Bob," a plainsman and frontier scout, had lived most of his life in Nebraska being a pioneer of this state. He was known in practically every town in Nebraska, if not personally, then by his reputation and character which stamped him as one of the finest men that ever lived.
He was well known in this community, having visited here occasionally, and having spent part of one summer with the Edgar Boy Scouts at their cabin on the Blue river (sic).
Short services were held Tuesday afternoon at Dana College.
The body is to be brought here and funeral services will be held at the Scout cabin Friday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. B.H. Schrader will officiate at the funeral which is in charge of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts, and will be a military funeral. -- Edgar Sun.
Mr. Landon was quite well known in Nuckolls county (sic). He spent some considerable time in Oak and Ruskin last summer.
==========================
The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, November 30, 1933; pgs. 1 & 6
The funeral service of "Parson Bob" Landon was one of the largest ever held in Nuckolls county (sic). It was different. Near the outpost, where for fourteen years he was Scout of the Oregon trail (sic) his body now lies at rest. Large crowds from near and far viewed the remains of the deceased as they lay in state in the Scout Cabin, a few feet from his resting place. His was a large group of mourners.
The service was conducted by Rev. B.H. Schrader, American Legion Chaplain, the eulogy by President Erland Nelson of Dana College, Rev. Schrader was assisted by Rev. Rasmussen and Rev. Hughes of Edgar, and the sermon was given by Rev. W.B. Zimmerman of Nelson, Doctor Keith of Edgar, and Mrs. Eva Follmer of Oak whose husband was the first treasurer of Nuckolls county (sic), each gave a brief response. Music was furnished by a male quartet from Edgar. Boy Scout troops, a drum corps, a bugle corps, military men and the Indian Death Farewell by "Princess Towana" added to the impressiveness of the service.
Philip Robert Landon
Philip Robert Landon was born April 15, 1846, on Goat Island, Iowa Territory, near where in (sic) now Decatur, Nebraska. When but a few months old his mother died, and as his father was a military man he was adopted into a Pottawatomie Indian family living near by, who raised him until he was about ten years of age; when he started out on his own. He went to Omaha City, thence westward over the Overland Trail to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming. He was attached to the military post as a helper, and with the assistance of the officers and his own determination he obtained a very limited education. He later was employed by the government as a contract scout, being too young to enlist in that branch of service. He was under General Custer during the first year of that Notable Campaign and received serious wounds in a skirmish with the Indians on the 17th day of June, 1876. A few days prior to the Custer Massacre he had been relieved of active Scout duty and was being returned to Deadwood for hospitalization. A few days upon his arrival at that City, he learned of his Chief's untimely end. He had previously operated on the Oregon Trail as pony express rider, scout, guarding transport wagon trains, and was also located as scout, with outpost near the Little Blue Station. His services as scout and civil officer which extended over a period of 29 years terminated about 1889.
In the middle of October, 1889, he was married to Miss Naomi Bishop of Eagleville, Mo. She accidentally shot herself two weeks later and died of the wounds. He later reentered the World's Faith Missionary Association, Shenandoah, Iowa, and was ordained a minister at that place by Rev. C.S. Hanley May 14, 1890. On May 22, 1893, he was married to Miss Gussie Dodge, near Waupaco, Wisconsin. At the end of 19 months his wife died, leaving an infant daughter who is now Mrs. Zola Carlson of Thief River Falls, Minn. On August 31, 1897, he was married to Miss Susanna Case at Tecumseh, Nebr. They resided in Sterling, Nebr., for almost 34 years, his wife having died August 24, 1931. Since that time he has visited in different parts of the country with friends and acquaintances.
When life departed him he was a guest of Dana College, Blair, Nebr., where he had been lecturing and investigating early Indian Cultures in that vicinity. He received the nickname "Parson Bob" after he had offered prayer at the grave of "Calamity" Jane's mother who had died of wounds received at the hands of the Indians. Calamity Jane received her nickname on the day of her mother's burial, after one of the mourning troupers, when observing the parentless child sleeping, he sobbed aloud: "Well, this is an awful calamity." Thereupon Parson Bob explained: "From henceforth she shall be called "Calamity Jane".
Parson Bob was made a member of The Knights of St. Galahad, Ancient Order, Knights of Scotland; Member of Council, at Furgis Falls, Minn., Episcopal Church, June 21st, 1932. Also Member of National Council, Boy Scouts of American. Served on Courts of Honor at Nebraska City, Auburn, and Falls City, Nebr., and St. Paul, Minn; as well as Staff Officer in various camps throughout the middle west. He lectured for many years throughout the central states on "The Old West," as he knew it, and lived it, for so many years. One might say that he was raised on the Oregon Trail. He never left it very far. He now is back, to rest --through the ages--at the place he loved best; near his old sentinel outpost, at the Little Blue Station, on the Old Oregon Trail.
================================
The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, July 6, 1933
Phil R. Landon, known as "Parson Bob," has organized a troop of Boy Scouts here, known as Scouts of the Oregon Trail. Headquarters are at the marker dedicated to his memory, less than a mile from Little Blue station on the Oregon trail. A large crowd from Angus, Oak and Edgar gathered at the outpost and celebrated the troop organization with a large bonfire. Mr. Landon gave a lecture on the Oregon trail. -- Ruskin Item in Deshler Rustler.
================================
--------------------------------------------
Hebron Journal (Hebron, NE), November 27, 2013
80 years ago, 1933:
The end of a colorful career came early for Phillip Robert Landon, widely known as "Parson Bob", who at the time of his death was the last living scout of the Oregon Trail. "Parson Bob" was found this morning in the guest room of Dana College at Blair. He spent five months of last spring in Thayer County at the home of George Lamb of Williams, where prehistoric Indian villages were being unearthed. From the pocket of "Parson Bob," famed Indian scout, they removed a tiny key this morning. It fits the lock to a small burial plot near Edgar. He will be buried near the "Little Blue Station," between Oak and Angus, where he was stationed in the early days. He bequeathed a mass of historical documents, letters, and newspaper clippings connecting him with the Old West to the Hastings Museum.
================
According to 1910 Sterling Precinct, Johnson County, Nebraska census and St. Lawrence, Waupaca, Wisconsin marriage license to Gussie Violet Dodge his middle name is Racine, but obits and newspaper articles state it is Robert. Philip, according to census records, as you can see all but the last census (1930) was born in 1868; he apparently started going by an earlier birth year later in his life, perhaps for better effect as he traveled around and gave lectures. He was living in the 1910 census with his wife Susanah Case in Sterling, Nebraska, where they lived for over 30 years
A copy of a letter by Della Landon, Philip’s half sister, from my cousin; that letter clearly places Philip in the family as son of Daniel Jasper Landon, who was born in 1846, so Philip could not have been born that same year.
This info is from Von Landon (#48545159). Von is related to Philip as a descendant of John Landon, brother of Philip’s grandfather David B. Landon (b. 1796).
The Wonderful Years
A history of Nuckolls County, Nebraska
1871 - 1971
by Nuckolls County Centennial, Inc.
"Parson Bob" Landon, Indian scout and foster father of "Calamity Jane," was born Phillip R. Landon in 1846 on Goat Island in the Missouri River near Decatur, Nebraska. He died at the age of 87, clear-eyed and sturdy. Even in his advanced age he traveled extensively and could read a book without aid of glasses.
Last of the contract scouts who protected the caravans along the Oregon Trail, "Parson Bob's" body was bullet-scarred from long years of Indian fighting. His dress was typical of his day, long straight hair, swagging mustache which infringed a small goatee, heavy blue shirt, large hat and ornaments--his conventional outfit. His walk was swift and sure, that of soldierly bearing, and his memory unclouded of his many years on the prairie.
Landon was left an orphan at an early age and was adopted by an Indian tribe which taught him the Indian language before returning him to his own people ten years later. Then followed fourteen years service as a caravan guard from the Nebraska line to Fort Casper, Wyoming. While with General Custer in the Big Horn country of South Dakota, he was wounded seriously by arrows and rifle bullets. He was reputedly the last survivor of the caravan scouts.
For 34 years, Landon lived at Sterling, Nebraska. He was a close friend of "Wild Bill" Hickok, Buffalo Bill, and "Diamond Dick" (Dr. Richard Tanner of Norfolk).
On November 22, 1933, "Parson Bob" went to where his "Old West" had gone. He died in his room at Dana College at Blair, where he had been conducting researches in connection with Indian mound in the area and lecturing to students on pioneer life in Nebraska. In his pocket was found the key to a gate in an iron fence enclosing a memorial statue near Angus, erected to "Bob" by Boy Scouts. He was a member of the national council, Boy Scouts of America. His wish was to be buried in this spot.
==============================
The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, November 23, 1933
Phillip R. Landon, better known as "Parson Bob," passed away suddenly Wednesday morning at the age of 87 years. He was found dead in his room in the dormitory of Dana College of Blair, Nebr., where he was ingaged (sic) in teaching history of Nebraska.
"Parson Bob," a plainsman and frontier scout, had lived most of his life in Nebraska being a pioneer of this state. He was known in practically every town in Nebraska, if not personally, then by his reputation and character which stamped him as one of the finest men that ever lived.
He was well known in this community, having visited here occasionally, and having spent part of one summer with the Edgar Boy Scouts at their cabin on the Blue river (sic).
Short services were held Tuesday afternoon at Dana College.
The body is to be brought here and funeral services will be held at the Scout cabin Friday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. B.H. Schrader will officiate at the funeral which is in charge of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts, and will be a military funeral. -- Edgar Sun.
Mr. Landon was quite well known in Nuckolls county (sic). He spent some considerable time in Oak and Ruskin last summer.
==========================
The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, November 30, 1933; pgs. 1 & 6
The funeral service of "Parson Bob" Landon was one of the largest ever held in Nuckolls county (sic). It was different. Near the outpost, where for fourteen years he was Scout of the Oregon trail (sic) his body now lies at rest. Large crowds from near and far viewed the remains of the deceased as they lay in state in the Scout Cabin, a few feet from his resting place. His was a large group of mourners.
The service was conducted by Rev. B.H. Schrader, American Legion Chaplain, the eulogy by President Erland Nelson of Dana College, Rev. Schrader was assisted by Rev. Rasmussen and Rev. Hughes of Edgar, and the sermon was given by Rev. W.B. Zimmerman of Nelson, Doctor Keith of Edgar, and Mrs. Eva Follmer of Oak whose husband was the first treasurer of Nuckolls county (sic), each gave a brief response. Music was furnished by a male quartet from Edgar. Boy Scout troops, a drum corps, a bugle corps, military men and the Indian Death Farewell by "Princess Towana" added to the impressiveness of the service.
Philip Robert Landon
Philip Robert Landon was born April 15, 1846, on Goat Island, Iowa Territory, near where in (sic) now Decatur, Nebraska. When but a few months old his mother died, and as his father was a military man he was adopted into a Pottawatomie Indian family living near by, who raised him until he was about ten years of age; when he started out on his own. He went to Omaha City, thence westward over the Overland Trail to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming. He was attached to the military post as a helper, and with the assistance of the officers and his own determination he obtained a very limited education. He later was employed by the government as a contract scout, being too young to enlist in that branch of service. He was under General Custer during the first year of that Notable Campaign and received serious wounds in a skirmish with the Indians on the 17th day of June, 1876. A few days prior to the Custer Massacre he had been relieved of active Scout duty and was being returned to Deadwood for hospitalization. A few days upon his arrival at that City, he learned of his Chief's untimely end. He had previously operated on the Oregon Trail as pony express rider, scout, guarding transport wagon trains, and was also located as scout, with outpost near the Little Blue Station. His services as scout and civil officer which extended over a period of 29 years terminated about 1889.
In the middle of October, 1889, he was married to Miss Naomi Bishop of Eagleville, Mo. She accidentally shot herself two weeks later and died of the wounds. He later reentered the World's Faith Missionary Association, Shenandoah, Iowa, and was ordained a minister at that place by Rev. C.S. Hanley May 14, 1890. On May 22, 1893, he was married to Miss Gussie Dodge, near Waupaco, Wisconsin. At the end of 19 months his wife died, leaving an infant daughter who is now Mrs. Zola Carlson of Thief River Falls, Minn. On August 31, 1897, he was married to Miss Susanna Case at Tecumseh, Nebr. They resided in Sterling, Nebr., for almost 34 years, his wife having died August 24, 1931. Since that time he has visited in different parts of the country with friends and acquaintances.
When life departed him he was a guest of Dana College, Blair, Nebr., where he had been lecturing and investigating early Indian Cultures in that vicinity. He received the nickname "Parson Bob" after he had offered prayer at the grave of "Calamity" Jane's mother who had died of wounds received at the hands of the Indians. Calamity Jane received her nickname on the day of her mother's burial, after one of the mourning troupers, when observing the parentless child sleeping, he sobbed aloud: "Well, this is an awful calamity." Thereupon Parson Bob explained: "From henceforth she shall be called "Calamity Jane".
Parson Bob was made a member of The Knights of St. Galahad, Ancient Order, Knights of Scotland; Member of Council, at Furgis Falls, Minn., Episcopal Church, June 21st, 1932. Also Member of National Council, Boy Scouts of American. Served on Courts of Honor at Nebraska City, Auburn, and Falls City, Nebr., and St. Paul, Minn; as well as Staff Officer in various camps throughout the middle west. He lectured for many years throughout the central states on "The Old West," as he knew it, and lived it, for so many years. One might say that he was raised on the Oregon Trail. He never left it very far. He now is back, to rest --through the ages--at the place he loved best; near his old sentinel outpost, at the Little Blue Station, on the Old Oregon Trail.
================================
The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, July 6, 1933
Phil R. Landon, known as "Parson Bob," has organized a troop of Boy Scouts here, known as Scouts of the Oregon Trail. Headquarters are at the marker dedicated to his memory, less than a mile from Little Blue station on the Oregon trail. A large crowd from Angus, Oak and Edgar gathered at the outpost and celebrated the troop organization with a large bonfire. Mr. Landon gave a lecture on the Oregon trail. -- Ruskin Item in Deshler Rustler.
================================
--------------------------------------------
Hebron Journal (Hebron, NE), November 27, 2013
80 years ago, 1933:
The end of a colorful career came early for Phillip Robert Landon, widely known as "Parson Bob", who at the time of his death was the last living scout of the Oregon Trail. "Parson Bob" was found this morning in the guest room of Dana College at Blair. He spent five months of last spring in Thayer County at the home of George Lamb of Williams, where prehistoric Indian villages were being unearthed. From the pocket of "Parson Bob," famed Indian scout, they removed a tiny key this morning. It fits the lock to a small burial plot near Edgar. He will be buried near the "Little Blue Station," between Oak and Angus, where he was stationed in the early days. He bequeathed a mass of historical documents, letters, and newspaper clippings connecting him with the Old West to the Hastings Museum.
================
According to 1910 Sterling Precinct, Johnson County, Nebraska census and St. Lawrence, Waupaca, Wisconsin marriage license to Gussie Violet Dodge his middle name is Racine, but obits and newspaper articles state it is Robert. Philip, according to census records, as you can see all but the last census (1930) was born in 1868; he apparently started going by an earlier birth year later in his life, perhaps for better effect as he traveled around and gave lectures. He was living in the 1910 census with his wife Susanah Case in Sterling, Nebraska, where they lived for over 30 years
A copy of a letter by Della Landon, Philip’s half sister, from my cousin; that letter clearly places Philip in the family as son of Daniel Jasper Landon, who was born in 1846, so Philip could not have been born that same year.
This info is from Von Landon (#48545159). Von is related to Philip as a descendant of John Landon, brother of Philip’s grandfather David B. Landon (b. 1796).
A history of Nuckolls County, Nebraska
1871 - 1971
by Nuckolls County Centennial, Inc.
"Parson Bob" Landon, Indian scout and foster father of "Calamity Jane," was born Phillip R. Landon in 1846 on Goat Island in the Missouri River near Decatur, Nebraska. He died at the age of 87, clear-eyed and sturdy. Even in his advanced age he traveled extensively and could read a book without aid of glasses.
Last of the contract scouts who protected the caravans along the Oregon Trail, "Parson Bob's" body was bullet-scarred from long years of Indian fighting. His dress was typical of his day, long straight hair, swagging mustache which infringed a small goatee, heavy blue shirt, large hat and ornaments--his conventional outfit. His walk was swift and sure, that of soldierly bearing, and his memory unclouded of his many years on the prairie.
Landon was left an orphan at an early age and was adopted by an Indian tribe which taught him the Indian language before returning him to his own people ten years later. Then followed fourteen years service as a caravan guard from the Nebraska line to Fort Casper, Wyoming. While with General Custer in the Big Horn country of South Dakota, he was wounded seriously by arrows and rifle bullets. He was reputedly the last survivor of the caravan scouts.
For 34 years, Landon lived at Sterling, Nebraska. He was a close friend of "Wild Bill" Hickok, Buffalo Bill, and "Diamond Dick" (Dr. Richard Tanner of Norfolk).
On November 22, 1933, "Parson Bob" went to where his "Old West" had gone. He died in his room at Dana College at Blair, where he had been conducting researches in connection with Indian mound in the area and lecturing to students on pioneer life in Nebraska. In his pocket was found the key to a gate in an iron fence enclosing a memorial statue near Angus, erected to "Bob" by Boy Scouts. He was a member of the national council, Boy Scouts of America. His wish was to be buried in this spot.
==============================
The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, November 23, 1933
Phillip R. Landon, better known as "Parson Bob," passed away suddenly Wednesday morning at the age of 87 years. He was found dead in his room in the dormitory of Dana College of Blair, Nebr., where he was ingaged (sic) in teaching history of Nebraska.
"Parson Bob," a plainsman and frontier scout, had lived most of his life in Nebraska being a pioneer of this state. He was known in practically every town in Nebraska, if not personally, then by his reputation and character which stamped him as one of the finest men that ever lived.
He was well known in this community, having visited here occasionally, and having spent part of one summer with the Edgar Boy Scouts at their cabin on the Blue river (sic).
Short services were held Tuesday afternoon at Dana College.
The body is to be brought here and funeral services will be held at the Scout cabin Friday afternoon at 2:30. Rev. B.H. Schrader will officiate at the funeral which is in charge of the American Legion and the Boy Scouts, and will be a military funeral. -- Edgar Sun.
Mr. Landon was quite well known in Nuckolls county (sic). He spent some considerable time in Oak and Ruskin last summer.
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The Nelson Gazette, Thursday, November 30, 1933; pgs. 1 & 6
The funeral service of "Parson Bob" Landon was one of the largest ever held in Nuckolls county (sic). It was different. Near the outpost, where for fourteen years he was Scout of the Oregon trail (sic) his body now lies at rest. Large crowds from near and far viewed the remains of the deceased as they lay in state in the Scout Cabin, a few feet from his resting place. His was a large group of mourners.
The service was conducted by Rev. B.H. Schrader, American Legion Chaplain, the eulogy by President Erland Nelson of Dana College, Rev. Schrader was assisted by Rev. Rasmussen and Rev. Hughes of Edgar, and the sermon was given by Rev. W.B. Zimmerman of Nelson, Doctor Keith of Edgar, and Mrs. Eva Follmer of Oak whose husband was the first treasurer of Nuckolls county (sic), each gave a brief response. Music was furnished by a male quartet from Edgar. Boy Scout troops, a drum corps, a bugle corps, military men and the Indian Death Farewell by "Princess Towana" added to the impressiveness of the service.
Philip Robert Landon
Philip Robert Landon was born April 15, 1846, on Goat Island, Iowa Territory, near where in (sic) now Decatur, Nebraska. When but a few months old his mother died, and as his father was a military man he was adopted into a Pottawatomie Indian family living near by, who raised him until he was about ten years of age; when he started out on his own. He went to Omaha City, thence westward over the Overland Trail to Ft. Laramie, Wyoming. He was attached to the military post as a helper, and with the assistance of the officers and his own determination he obtained a very limited education. He later was employed by the government as a contract scout, being too young to enlist in that branch of service. He was under General Custer during the first year of that Notable Campaign and received serious wounds in a skirmish with the Indians on the 17th day of June, 1876. A few days prior to the Custer Massacre he had been relieved of active Scout duty and was being returned to Deadwood for hospitalization. A few days upon his arrival at that City, he learned of his Chief's untimely end. He had previously operated on the Oregon Trail as pony express rider, scout, guarding transport wagon trains, and was also located as scout, with outpost near the Little Blue Station. His services as scout and civil officer which extended over a period of 29 years terminated about 1889.
In the middle of October, 1889, he was married to Miss Naomi Bishop of Eagleville, Mo. She accidentally shot herself two weeks later and died of the wounds. He later reentered the World's Faith Missionary Association, Shenandoah, Iowa, and was ordained a minister at that place by Rev. C.S. Hanley May 14, 1890. On May 22, 1893, he was married to Miss Gussie Dodge, near Waupaco, Wisconsin. At the end of 19 months his wife died, leaving an infant daughter who is now Mrs. Zola Carlson of Thief River Falls, Minn. On August 31, 1897, he was married to Miss Susanna Case at Tecumseh, Nebr. They resided in Sterling, Nebr., for almost 34 years, his wife having died August 24, 1931. Since that time he has visited in different parts of the country with friends and acquaintances.
When life departed him he was a guest of Dana College, Blair, Nebr., where he had been lecturing and investigating early Indian Cultures in that vicinity. He received the nickname "Parson Bob" after he had offered prayer at the grave of "Calamity" Jane's mother who had died of wounds received at the hands of the Indians. Calamity Jane received her nickname on the day of her mother's burial, after one of the mourning troupers, when observing the parentless child sleeping, he sobbed aloud: "Well, this is an awful calamity." Thereupon Parson Bob explained: "From henceforth she shall be called "Calamity Jane".
Parson Bob was made a member of The Knights of St. Galahad, Ancient Order, Knights of Scotland; Member of Council, at Furgis Falls, Minn., Episcopal Church, June 21st, 1932. Also Member of National Council, Boy Scouts of American. Served on Courts of Honor at Nebraska City, Auburn, and Falls City, Nebr., and St. Paul, Minn; as well as Staff Officer in various camps throughout the middle west. He lectured for many years throughout the central states on "The Old West," as he knew it, and lived it, for so many years. One might say that he was raised on the Oregon Trail. He never left it very far. He now is back, to rest --through the ages--at the place he loved best; near his old sentinel outpost, at the Little Blue Station, on the Old Oregon Trail.
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The Nelson Gazette (Nelson, NE), Thursday, July 6, 1933
Phil R. Landon, known as "Parson Bob," has organized a troop of Boy Scouts here, known as Scouts of the Oregon Trail. Headquarters are at the marker dedicated to his memory, less than a mile from Little Blue station on the Oregon trail. A large crowd from Angus, Oak and Edgar gathered at the outpost and celebrated the troop organization with a large bonfire. Mr. Landon gave a lecture on the Oregon trail. -- Ruskin Item in Deshler Rustler.
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Hebron Journal (Hebron, NE), November 27, 2013
80 years ago, 1933:
The end of a colorful career came early for Phillip Robert Landon, widely known as "Parson Bob", who at the time of his death was the last living scout of the Oregon Trail. "Parson Bob" was found this morning in the guest room of Dana College at Blair. He spent five months of last spring in Thayer County at the home of George Lamb of Williams, where prehistoric Indian villages were being unearthed. From the pocket of "Parson Bob," famed Indian scout, they removed a tiny key this morning. It fits the lock to a small burial plot near Edgar. He will be buried near the "Little Blue Station," between Oak and Angus, where he was stationed in the early days. He bequeathed a mass of historical documents, letters, and newspaper clippings connecting him with the Old West to the Hastings Museum.
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According to 1910 Sterling Precinct, Johnson County, Nebraska census and St. Lawrence, Waupaca, Wisconsin marriage license to Gussie Violet Dodge his middle name is Racine, but obits and newspaper articles state it is Robert. Philip, according to census records, as you can see all but the last census (1930) was born in 1868; he apparently started going by an earlier birth year later in his life, perhaps for better effect as he traveled around and gave lectures. He was living in the 1910 census with his wife Susanah Case in Sterling, Nebraska, where they lived for over 30 years
A copy of a letter by Della Landon, Philip’s half sister, from my cousin; that letter clearly places Philip in the family as son of Daniel Jasper Landon, who was born in 1846, so Philip could not have been born that same year.
This info is from Von Landon (#48545159). Von is related to Philip as a descendant of John Landon, brother of Philip’s grandfather David B. Landon (b. 1796).
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Parson Bob
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1870-1880
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