Cap Horse
Where were you born, and raised?
I was born February 12th 1907, in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. I grew up on a Lakota Sioux Indian Reservation, attended two years of school than started working in the fields plowing and planting with a team of horses. My Father was Sioux, while my mother was German.
What are some of your earliest childhood memories?
While my mother was picking blackberries, I was lying in a basket positioned under a willow tree. An albino horse took care of me, by nudging me if I attempted to crawl out of the basket I was in. When I was old enough, my parents got me a pony, then as I got older I started riding “Spooks”, my mother’s horse.
Did you ever marry or have children?
I married Karretta, in 1929. For 5 days celebrated and had some “Blackfeet Indians” over as guests at our wedding on the reservation. Later on, Karretta gave birth to our son Charles, then she died in a train accident several years later while she was again pregnant. After that, I had 5 common-law wives at different times, resulting in 7 more children.
What sort of work have you done over the years?
I was a semi-driver, dishwasher, bulldozer operator, ran a junk store, and a “Ringling Bros. Barnum & Baileys Circus” security guard. People called me “a Jack of all trades, master of none”. I didn’t like the fact that I had to cut my hair in order to get a job in Chicago. It was down to the middle of my back, and it is in my culture to have long hair.
What about World War II?
I was sent over to Germany, to fight for about 4 months. One day a tank attacked us, and I was hit from an explosion. While in the hospital, I had metal plates placed in both knees, and in my skull as well. To this day, I still have a difficult time in the mornings getting my legs to function without pain. At times my legs give out on me while I’m walking.
What attracted you to Chicago?
My sister’s husband died while they were living here in Chicago in 1946. I quit my truck driving job, moved here, got an apartment, and had her move in with me for about 3 years to help her out. I was also interested in the Cattle Yards, which were here for many years.
How did you inherit your nickname “Cap”?
My uncle Yucca gave it to me when I was 17, because I would make caps out of newspaper instead of feathers. I didn’t like wearing the feathers.
How is it that you are so physically fit, strong, and healthy at your age?
I stay active, and walk practically everywhere I go, including downtown, and I get up and go to work which has helped also. I work at “Wells Park”, doing some gardening and keeping the Horseshoe pit in good shape, plus various other jobs at different locations. However, I'm not as fit as I look; my left ear is totally deaf, due to a fall, which occurred several years ago.
How did you come to Friendly Towers?
I heard about Friendly Towers from a friend. I was living and working as a security guard at another facility where I had been for ten years. My boss died, and his brother who didn’t care much for me took over, and fired me. So In 1998, I came to Friendly Towers and have ben here ever since.