John “Liver-Eating” Johnson is is known in history as a sailor, mountain man, Indian fighter, and lawman who earned the moniker of “Liver-Eating” because he allegedly killed a number of Crow Indians and ate their livers.
His real name was John Garrison Johnston and he was born in Little York, New Jersey in July of 1824 to Isaac and Eliza Garrison.
76 years old.Thats a damn good run in those days. Not bad for now.
ReplyDeleteAnd one of the greatest movies ever made was based on him.
ReplyDeleteThe Crow res is one of the most miserable, corrupt, and unpleasant pieces of real estate on this earth. If I never have the opportunity to return to it, my life will in no way less complete. It, and the jicarilla apache res in new mexico are prime examples of allowing the tribal leadership fool the people into believing that a decrepit separatist existence away from "the white devil" is preferable to having some measure of assimilation. They could learn from the mescalero apache, who run the ruidoso ski resort, and the constant influx of texas vacation cash that helps to keep their culture alive through gift and souvenir shops and cultural centers.
ReplyDeleteThe crow and jicarilla are going to die off miserably; victimized by corrupt tribal leadership, alcoholism, and drugs.
Fairplayjeepguy
Johnson's Hawken rifle is part of the collection at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, just two miles from where he's now buried. It had its own display for a while in the art gallery portion of the museum. I don't recall seeing it in the remodeled firearms museum.
ReplyDeleteFairplayjeepguy pulled his punches describing the Crow Res.
I believe, judging by the dates, that Johnson was the constable in Red Lodge when Butch Cassidy robbed the bank there. Cassidy was caught about 100 miles north in Lavina, MT. I've sometimes wondered if Johnson was part of the posse that caught him. There's a nice plaque on the side of what was the bank building to commemorate the event.
Or was it hatchet Jacks rifle?
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