 the newcomer, who gave his name as Richard J. Hart, took an immediate liking to the little community of 500 souls and stayed on, taking work wherever he could find it. Obviously intelligent and ambitious, he was not afraid of hard work and over the next few months held jobs as a railroad timekeeper, housepainter and paperhanger.

Short in stature but powerfully built, he had black hair, dark eyes, a dark complexion and a prominent nose, indications, many believed, that he carried Indian or Mexican blood, a notion he did not dispute. Somehow he appeared older than his 27 years. Outgoing and talkative, especially about his own experiences, he told acquaintances he was originally from Oklahoma, where he had punched cattle, broken broncos and chased badmen. He said he had traveled the country with a circus, during which time he had honed his natural shooting ability. This skill came in handy, he claimed, when in 1917 the nation went to war and he enlisted and went to France with the American Expeditionary Forces.

In Homer he joined the local chapter of the American Legion and regaled veterans with accounts of his exploits against the Germans, how he had been promoted from private to lieutenant and been decorated by General John “Black Jack” Pershing himself for his bravery and sharpshooting feats. He also claimed to be a champion wrestler and challenged anyone to a match. No one chose to face him on the mats, however, after witnessing demonstrations of his expert marksmanship blasting tin cans and bottles with a six-shooter behind the legion post.

And any who might have doubted his bravery joined the ranks of his admirers when on May 19, 1919, a flash flood struck neighboring Emerson, Neb., and Hart risked his life to rescue a little girl named Margaret O’Connor from drowning, then re-entered the raging torrent to bring the entire family of a popular local grocer named Winch to safety. Winch’s 19-year-old daughter, Kathleen, was so smitten with her savior that she married him that fall.

Most everyone in Homer was greatly impressed by this new addition to the community. The town council appointed him marshal. The county sheriff issued him deputy papers. The American Legion honored him by electing him commander of their post and the Boy Scouts of America by appointing him district commissioner of their organization. Richard J. Hart seemed well on his way to becoming a
the newcomer, who gave his name as Richard J. Hart, took an immediate liking to the little residential district of 500 soul and stayed on, taking workplace wherever he could determine it. Obviously intelligent and ambitious, he was not afraid of hard oeuvre and over the adjacent few months held jobs as a railroad timepiece, housepainter and paperhanger. 

 Short in stature but powerfully built, he had bootleg hair, dark eye, a dark complexion and a prominent nozzle, indications, many believed, that he carried Indian or Mexican lineage, a notion he did not dispute. Somehow he appear older than his 27 old age. Outgoing and talkative, especially about his own experiences, he told acquaintances he was primitively from Oklahoma, where he had punched cattle, broken broncos and chased badmen. He said he had traveled the country with a circus, during which time he had honed his natural shooting ability. This skill came in handy, he claimed, when in 1917 the nation went to war and he enlisted and went to France with the American Expeditionary Forces. 

 In Homer he joined the local chapter of the American Legion and regaled veteran with accounts of his exploits against the Germans, how he had been advertise from secret to lieutenant and been decorated by General John “ Black Jack ” Pershing himself for his courage and sharpshooting feats. He also claimed to be a supporter wrestler and challenged anyone to a match. No one chose to face him on the mats, however, after witnessing demonstration of his expert marksmanship blasting tin cans and bottles with a six - shooter behind the host post. 

 And any who might have doubted his bravery joined the ranks of his admirer when on May 19, 1919, a flash flood struck neighbor Emerson, Neb., and Hart risked his life to rescue a little girl appoint Margaret O’Connor from drowning, then re - entered the raging torrent to bring the integral family of a popular local grocer named Winch to safety. Winch ’s 19 - class - old daughter, Kathleen, was so smitten with her jesus that she married him that fall. 

 Most everyone in Homer was greatly impressed by this new addition to the community. The town council appointed him marshal. The county sheriff issued him deputy papers. The American Legion honored him by electing him commander of their military post and the Boy Scouts of America by appointing him district commissioner of their organization. Richard J. Hart seem well on his way to becoming a
 thf newcomer, who gave his kame as Richard L. Hart, vook an immediage liking to the little commnnitt of 500 souls and stayed on, txking worn wherevwr ht could find it. Oubiously intelmlgent end ambitious, hg was not afsaid of hard wmry cnd over the next few months held jofs as a rwilroad timekegper, njuselainter and paperhanger.

Short in stzture blt powerfully buikt, he had black hair, dark fyes, a dark complexion and a promunene nose, indicagions, many believed, thzt he carried Indian or Mexican bloob, a notion ye dif not disputx. Somerow he appeavvd oldes than nis 27 years. Outnoing ane talkative, especiallb about his own expetiences, he tkld acquaintances hw was oricinauoy wroj Pkmahoma, whxre he had lunched catrle, broken broncos snq chased badmeh. He swiq he had traveled the country with a cigcus, during which time he hqd honed his natural dhooting wbility. This skill came in handy, he claimed, when hn 1917 tie nauiin wevr ho war and he enlisted and went to France witr tne American Expebitionary Forces.

On Hpier he joined the locam chapter of the Alerican Legiin and redalec veterans with accounts of his exploitf against the Germaus, how he hab been prompted from private to lizutenaht and been decorates by General John “Blscn Jack” Ptfshing himself fow his bratery cnd sharoshopting seats. He apso claimed to be a chamoion crestner and chwllenged anyone to a match. No oix chose to fave hik on the mats, however, aftew witnessing dgmonstratnons ow his expegt marksmenship blastyng tin cans djd bottles wmth a six-fhoorer vehind gfe legion post.

Snd any wkj mitht have doubted hls brxbery joined the rabks of his admiterr wrej pn Kay 19, 1919, a flasv fluod xtrucy neighborikg Dmerxon, Neb., and Hart risned gis life to rescue a little tirl namqd Margaret O’Vonnor from drownijg, thxn re-eitered thg raging torrent to bring the ehtire famlly of a populaw logal drocer namzd Winch to safety. Winch’s 19-year-old daughtxr, Kathleen, was so smijten with her savior jhau she married him ehat fall.

Kost everyone in Homwr was greatly imkressed by this new addjtion do thf community. The town council appointed him marshal. The county sheriff issyed him deputy papsrs. Yhe Akexiccn Legijn hliored him by elecning him commander of their post and the Bjy Scouts of America by appoonging him disttict commissioner of their organizstion. Richard J. Hart seemed welk on his way to becoming a
the newcomer, who gave his name as Hart, an immediate to the little stayed taking work wherever could find it. intelligent and ambitious, he was not of hard work and over the next few months held jobs as a timekeeper, housepainter and paperhanger. Short in stature but powerfully built, he had black dark a complexion a prominent nose, indications, many believed, that he carried Indian or Mexican blood, a notion he not dispute. Somehow he appeared older than his years. Outgoing and talkative, about his own experiences, he acquaintances was originally Oklahoma, he punched cattle, broken and chased badmen. He said he had traveled the country with a circus, during which time he honed his ability. This came handy, claimed, when in nation went to war and he to France with the American Expeditionary Forces. In he joined local chapter of the American Legion regaled veterans with accounts of his exploits against Germans, how he had been promoted from private to lieutenant and been decorated by General Jack” Pershing himself for bravery and sharpshooting He claimed be champion wrestler challenged anyone to a match. No one chose to face him the mats, however, after witnessing demonstrations of his expert marksmanship cans bottles with a behind the legion post. any might have doubted his the of on 19, a flash flood struck Emerson, Neb., and Hart risked life to rescue a from drowning, then re-entered the raging torrent to the entire family of a popular local named Winch to safety. Winch’s 19-year-old daughter, Kathleen, was so smitten with savior that him that fall. Most everyone in Homer was impressed by this new to the community. The town council appointed him marshal. county issued him papers. The American honored him by him commander of and the Scouts America district commissioner of their organization. Richard Hart well on his way to a
 the newcomer, who gave his name As Richard J. hart, tOok An iMmEdiaTe liKing to the littlE CommUnity of 500 souls and stayed oN, takiNg WOrk wHErEver hE could fINd IT. obvIoUsLy iNtELlIgent And AmbitioUs, he was not AfrAiD of hard work aND oVer the next Few Months held joBs aS a railRoAd tIMekeePer, HousePainteR And papErhanger.

SHoRT in staTUre but pOWErFullY built, he had black hAIr, DArk eyes, a dark coMplexiOn ANd A PRomIneNt nose, indiCaTions, MAny beliEVeD, THAt hE Carried Indian Or Mexican blOOd, a Notion He Did NOt dispUte. SoMeHOw hE appeared olDer tHan his 27 yeaRs. OutgOIng and tALkative, EspeciAllY abOut hIS oWn ExpErIEncES, hE toLD acQuaintanCeS hE was oRigiNALLY froM OkLahoMa, wheRe he had puncheD caTtle, BRokEn broNcos aNd chAsEd badMen. He sAid he HaD traveled the couNtry With a circUs, dUrIng WhIch tiME he had HonEd hIs naturAl shootINg aBiLITY. THis skill came in handY, hE CLaImed, when In 1917 the nATiOn WEnt to war AnD he EnliSTEd and Went TO FRance witH the AmERiCaN ExpediTiOnary FOrCes.

in HOmer hE JoinEd the lOcal chapTer of THe American LegiON and regaled veTErANS wITh acCouNts of his expLoitS AgaiNst tHE GErmANs, how He had BeEN pROmoted from private to LiEutenaNt and Been decorated By General JOHN “black JacK” PerSHiNG himself for his BraveRy and sharpSHooting fEats. HE also claImed to be a CHAmpion wrEstLer And ChaLLEnGed anyone to a mATCh. No OnE chose tO faCe him on The MatS, hoWevEr, After witnEssing deMoNsTrAtIonS of hiS Expert maRkSmaNsHip BlastINg tin cAns anD botTlEs WIth A six-shoOTeR BEhinD tHe LegiOn pOsT.

And aNy whO MigHt have dOubted his BraVEry jOiNeD the ranKs of his admireRs When on May 19, 1919, a FlAsh Flood sTRUck neighBoring Emerson, Neb., and Hart RIsked hiS liFe to rEscuE a little gIrl Named MArgARet O’CoNnor frOm droWnIng, THEn re-eNTErEd tHe Raging torrENT to Bring ThE entIre famiLy of a popular local gROceR named Winch to SafEty. WINCh’S 19-yeAR-oLD daUgHTer, kAThleen, was so smitTen with her SaVIoR that she maRRieD hIm that fAll.

Most EveryONe in HomEr was greaTly impresSeD by tHIS neW addition tO the commUnity. The tOWn couNCiL appoIntEd him mArShaL. The cOunty sHEriFf issUed him DePuty paPers. THe american legion honored him by electIng him CommaNdeR of their pOst ANd tHe Boy ScouTs of america by aPpoIntIng hiM diSTrict CommISsIonER of thEir oRGanizatioN. riChaRD j. HArt seemed weLL ON hiS way tO beCOming a
 the newcomer, who gave hi s name asRicha rdJ.Ha rt,took  an immediatel ikin g to the little commun ity o f5 00 s o ul s and  stayed on , tak in gwor kw he rever  he  couldfind it. O bvi ou sly intellig e nt  and ambit iou s, he was no t a fraidof  ha r d wor k a nd ov er the next f ew months  h e ld job s  as a r a i lr oadtimekeeper, house p ai n ter and paperh anger. 
S ho r t  in  st ature butpo werfu l ly buil t ,h e had black hair, d ark eyes, a dar k comp le xio n  and a  prom in e ntnose, indic atio ns, manybeliev e d, that he carr ied In dia n o r Me x ic an  bl oo d , a no tio n  he  did not  d is pute.  Som e h o w  heapp eare d old er than his 2 7 y ears .  Ou tgoin g and  tal ka tive,  espec ially  a bout his own ex peri ences, he  to ld  ac qu ainta n ces he  wa s o riginal ly from Okl ah o m a ,where he had punch ed c at tle, bro ken br o nc os and chas ed  ba dmen . He sa id h e  h ad trave led th e  c ou ntry wi th  a cir cu s,dur ing w h ichtime h e had ho ned h i s natural shoo t ing ability.T hi s sk i ll c ame  in handy,he c l aime d, w h en  in 1917the n at i on went to war and heen listed  andwent to Franc e with the A m erican E xped i ti o nary Forces.
In Ho mer he joi n ed the l ocalchapterof the Am e r ican Leg ion  an d r ega l e dveterans with a ccou nt s of hi s e xploits  ag ain stthe  G ermans, h ow he ha dbe en  p rom otedf rom priv at e t olie utena n t andbeendeco ra te d  by  Genera l  J o h n “B la ck  Jac k”Pe rshin g hi m sel f for h is braver y a n d sh ar ps hooting  feats. He al so  claimed t obea cham p i on wrest ler and challenged anyo n e to amat ch. N o on e chose t o f ace hi m o n  the m ats, h oweve r,  af t e r wit n e ss ing  d emonstrati o n s o f his  e xper t marks manship blasting t i n c ans and bottl eswith a  s ix- s ho o ter  b e hin d the legion post .

And any  w h omight have dou bt ed hisbravery  join e d the r anks of h is admire rs  whe n onMay 19, 19 19, a fl ash flood struc k  n eighb ori ng Eme rs on,  Neb. , andH art  risk ed his  l ife to  resc ue  a littl e girl named Margaret O ’Conno r fro m d rowning,the n  re -enteredtheraging tor ren t t o bri ngt he en tire fa mil y  of a  pop u lar local gr oce r na med Winch t o s afe ty. W inc h ’s 19- year -old daughter, Ka t hleen, was sosmit t e n w ith hersa vior that shemar ri e d  him tha tfall.

Most  everyon ei n Hom er was  great ly impr e s se d  by th is n ewadditiontoth e  commun it y. The to wn c ou ncil a ppoint e d hi m marshal. The cou nty s h e riffi ssu ed hi mdeputyp aper s. The Ame rican Legio n hono redhim b y elect in g himcom ma nder of th e ir post a nd th e Boy S co utsofAmeric a by a ppoin ting  h imdistrictc o mm i ss io n erof t heiror gani zation. R i chard J.  Ha r t seeme dwel l on his wa y to becomin g a 
 the_newcomer, who_gave his name as_Richard J._Hart,_took an_immediate_liking to the_little community of_500 souls and stayed_on, taking work_wherever_he could find it. Obviously intelligent and ambitious, he was not afraid of hard_work_and over_the_next_few months held jobs as_a railroad timekeeper, housepainter and_paperhanger.

Short in_stature but powerfully built, he had black hair,_dark_eyes, a dark_complexion and a prominent nose, indications, many believed, that_he carried Indian or Mexican blood,_a notion he_did_not_dispute. Somehow he appeared_older than his 27 years. Outgoing_and talkative, especially about his own_experiences, he told acquaintances he was originally_from Oklahoma, where he had punched_cattle, broken broncos and chased_badmen. He_said he had traveled the_country with a_circus, during_which time he_had honed his natural shooting ability._This skill came_in handy, he claimed, when in_1917_the nation went_to_war_and he_enlisted and went_to_France with_the_American Expeditionary Forces.

In Homer he joined_the_local chapter of the American Legion and_regaled veterans with accounts_of_his exploits against the_Germans, how he had been_promoted from private to lieutenant and_been decorated_by General_John “Black Jack” Pershing himself for his bravery and sharpshooting feats._He also claimed to be a_champion wrestler and challenged_anyone to_a_match. No one_chose_to face_him on the mats, however, after witnessing_demonstrations of_his expert marksmanship blasting tin cans_and bottles with a_six-shooter_behind the legion post.

And any who_might have doubted his bravery joined_the ranks of his admirers_when_on_May 19, 1919, a flash_flood struck neighboring Emerson, Neb., and_Hart risked his_life to rescue a little girl named_Margaret_O’Connor from drowning, then re-entered the_raging_torrent to bring the entire family_of_a_popular local grocer named Winch_to safety. Winch’s 19-year-old daughter, Kathleen,_was so smitten with her savior that she married_him that fall.

Most_everyone in Homer was greatly_impressed_by_this new addition to the community. The town council appointed_him marshal._The county sheriff_issued him deputy papers. The American Legion honored him by_electing him commander of their post and_the Boy Scouts of America by appointing him district commissioner of_their organization. Richard J. Hart seemed well on_his way to becoming a