RBC | Doctors could be adventurers too. The 1883 incorporation papers of the Meeker Townsite company include “E. P. Lecompte” as a member. I was able to track him down as Dr. Edward Palmer LeCompte. He lived in the White River Valley several years but didn’t stick around to become active in the formation of Meeker as a community.
Edward’s father was Samuel Dexter LeCompte, appointed the first Chief Justice of the Kansas Territory. Samuel had a town renamed in his honor: Lecompton, Kansas. According to his obituary, Edward enlisted in the U.S. Army as assistant surgeon in 1874 and served with General Custer in 1876 [the year of Custer’s last stand, June 1876].
“Assistant Surgeon” was the Army’s designation for doctor. The National Park Service says that LeCompte served with the 7th Calvary but was part of Crook’s column not Custer’s. There was only one surviving surgeon with Custer: Henry Porter. U.S. Army pension records show Edward P. LeCompte served 1876-1882 as asst. surgeon, (no units mentioned on index card).
No matter which version you use, Edward was deeply involved with the Indian Wars. He lived in interesting times. In October 1876, E.P. LeCompte was assigned to Fort McKinney, Wyoming Territory as surgeon at the garrison along the Bozeman trail protecting travelers. Edward was there until December 1878 except for a short transfer to Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming territory where he served under Wesley Merritt from Feb. 19, 1878, through April 1878.
E.P. LeCompte was posted at Fort Douglas, Utah from June 1878 to June 1880. Fort Douglas was a small garrison three miles East of Salt Lake City. He also seems to have been at Fort Hall, Idaho in October 1878 for a short stay.
In March of 1880 there was an incident at Fort Douglas, an old fashioned duel with pistols and bad shots. Utah newspapers were filled with many embellished stories. The Logan Leader, April 2, 1880, contained this version: “The Salt Lake papers are full of accounts of a pre-arranged or impromptu duel, which occurred a few days since at Fort Douglas. Doctor LeCompte, at a dinner party, made some remark to a lady, for which he apologized. Captain C. B. Weston thought sufficient reparation had not been made for the fancied or real insult. So, blood must be shed.
The parties met the next morning in front of the officer’s quarters and began the affray. According to the Herald, Weston fired first, getting in two shots at LeCompte. LeCompte returned the fire; the first shot striking Weston in the left shoulder, breaking the bone and disabling the arm. Weston then turned round and LeCompte fired again, the shot striking near the side, opposite the loin and close to the spine, inflicting a flesh wound. The story has it that Weston then fell and tried to bring his pistol in play again, when LeCompte stepped over him and told Weston that if he did not leave his pistol alone he would be killed outright. Weston then desisted, and was carried off. The shot fired by Weston inflicted but a slight flesh wound in the arm of his adversary. The affair is being investigated by a military tribunal.”
U.S. Returns from Military Post lists Captain Charles B. Weston of Company D, 14th infantry as “sick in quarters since March 26, until August 2, 1880.” E.P LeCompte was the only surgeon on duty at the post, so guess who was treating him?
On May 6, 1880 LeCompte was relieved of duty at Fort Douglas and sent May 10 to Camp on the White River, Colorado under orders sent from headquarters: Department of the Platte. I get the feeling that being sent to White River meant he was in the dog house. Captain Weston remained at Camp Douglas.