Survivor Frank Finkel's Lasting Stand. In the years between 1876 and the later 1920s, 70 grizzled galoots and geezers told amused journalists and historians that they were the lone survivors of the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
Their stories fell into one of three predictable patterns: disguised themselves as Indians by wrapping up in blankets; hid inside a scooped-out horse or a scooped-out buffalo; rescued by the chief's daughter, who found them irresistible. One man's story was completely different—because he was telling the truth. But before this article, the last few points of confirmation that clinch Frank Finkel as a survivor of Custer's Last Stand were hidden in the National Archives, the U.S.
Census Bureau and the records of the Columbia County Auditor's Office in Dayton, Wash. After the discovery of the final pieces of the puzzle, with information from published books, it is clear that Frank Finkel was what he claimed to be—the only known white survivor of the five companies that followed Lt. Hathi Trust Digital Library - Holdings: A trooper with Custer, and other historic incidents...
Wyoming Tales and Trails.