Soldier Nurse Meets His Charge

John Dean of the Confederate Home Employed as Nurse

After Steamer Sinks in the Red River

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“John J. Dean of Chariton county, Mo. who served with Co. G, 5th Mo. Infantry during the Civil War, was not only a soldier, he was a nurse by force of circumstances. 

The story goes back to June 9, 1965 when he was on a steamboat on the Red River, fourteen miles south of Shreveport, La., the steamer sunk and the passengers saved themselves as best they could. (…Unknown) one of the passengers was a three month old baby, Mrs. Nannie Tidd of Columbia, an aunt of Mrs. Sue Johnson of this city, and a visitor her Monday of this week. 

The was had upset business so Dean, then a young man was employed by the parents of the baby to act as nurse and he did so for three years. The infant was carried on a pillow, and this was the method of travel from Louisville to St. Louis. 

While visiting her Monday Mrs. Tidd was anxious to see her benefactor so sent a car to the Confederate home to bring in Mrs. Dean and a pleasant time was spent talking over old times and the uncertainties following the Civil War days.” 
 
Source: Files of Neil Block, Commander, William T. Anderson Camp #1743 SCV, Huntsville, Mo; transcribed by Lisa Perry. Source of original newspaper article is unknown but a handwritten note states Higginsville, Mo 1921.