Description:

George Crook
Chicago, IL, March 19, 1890
George Crook, Veteran of Indian Wars, ALS 2 Days Before His Death "Suffering from 'La Grippe'"
ALS

An autograph letter from Civil War and Indian Wars officer, George Crook, just two days before his death. 1p, measuring 6" x 8.75", Chicago, dated March 19, 1890. Signed "George Crook" and addressed to Harry C. Kochersperger in Philadelphia. Crook writes that he has been ill with "La Grippe", or the flu, for three months. The letter has uneven toning and mat burn. Flattened mail folds. Boldly signed.

Reading in full:
"I have been suffering from 'La Grippe' for the last three months, so I can think of little else."

It appears that Crook may have been suffering from the "Russian flu", or the 1889-1890 pandemic, which was the last great pandemic of the 19th century and among the deadliest pandemics in history. The pandemic killed approximately 1 million people (0.067% of the world population), with most effects taking place between October 1889 and December 1890. The disease is believed to have originated in Western Siberia and the first case on American soil was reported on December 18, 1889. It quickly spread throughout the East Coast and made its way to Chicago and Kansas in just a few days. Unlike most influenza pandemics, such as the 1918 flu, the disease primarily affected elderly people. Another peculiarity was a tendency for patients to experience short-term relapses, which left some convalescents weakened, depressed, and unable to work. Cases of respiratory muscle atrophy, heart failure and tongue paralysis were likewise noteworthy.

George R. Crook (1828-1890) was a veteran of the Civil War and numerous Indian Wars, including the Snake War, Yavapai War, and the Great Sioux War. He made a name for himself commanding U.S. forces in the 1886 campaign that led to the defeat of the Apache leader Geronimo. In his later years, Crook spent time speaking out against the unjust treatment of his former Indian adversaries. He died very suddenly two days after this letter was written, on March 21, after suffering heart failure. A newspaper of the time reported "He has not been in perfect health since his return from the Southwest a month ago when he made a trip with General Strong and other friends, but he has not been confined to his room. He was on of a box party at a theater Thursday night, and was in good spirits. He returned and went to bed without complaining of any unusual symptoms. He arose before 7 o'clock and partially dressed himself. He stepped from his sleeping-room into his parlor to take some exercise with an apparatus, as is his custom. A moment later his wife heard him fall heavily on a sofa and cry: 'Mary, Mary, come quick; I can't breathe.' She rushed to his aid but was unable to relieve him."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 6" x 8.75"
  • Medium: ALS

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