Oliver Nixon Unthank

Oliver Nixon Unthank

FOLA Archives

Quick Facts

Significance:

Fort Laramie Telegraph Operator

Place of Birth:

Wayne County, Indiana

Date of Birth:

1842

Date of Death:

1928

Place of Burial:

Arlington, Washington County, Nebraska, USA

Cemetery Name:

Arlington Cemetary

Oliver Nixon Unthank, served as the Fort Laramie Telegraph operator at Fort Laramie from 1869 to 1874. He was paid $100 a month, or $85 a month with daily rations. In 1871, he met his bride to be, Emma Brandon, at Fort Laramie. Emma arrived at Fort Laramie by stage coach to visit a friend from her boarding school days, when she met and later married Oliver. The two would be wed at one of the Officer’s Quarters within the fort.

Here is a section from a Oct 27th, 1871 dated letter that Oliver Unthank wrote his wife:
"Dear Wife
Your two anxious and home sick letters received. I have been to the Mountains with Mr. Brown on a hunt and did not get home till day before yesterday. The telegraph line has been down until today. I telegraphed to you as soon as it came up hope you will not start back before you receive it. Have been looking for you every time I came back I thought you might come to Cheyanne and hire a train to come over, you were so anxious to get back—I have been as anxious as you. Was afraid all the time you would be a fretting and … you know that I want to do what is right and what will please you, come when you think is best..."
"We had a nice hunt—was out nine days got 10 Deer 10 Elk 7 Antelope one Mountain Sheep and one Bear. I killed 3 Elk one Antelope and one BlackTail Deer. I wished very much that you and Mother could have been with us."