HCP columnist Steve Roush reprises role as Caspar Collins July 26
The Highland County Press
As the 150th anniversary of the death of Hillsboro native Caspar Collins approaches, members of the Harness and Hitch horse driving group met on Saturday evening at the Highland House Museum to hear about the life and times of the fallen lieutenant.
Steve Roush, a Hillsboro resident, Highland County Press columnist and a vice president of a media company, reprised his role as Lt. Caspar Wever Collins from last year’s Ghost Walk at the Hillsboro Cemetery.
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Collins was born Sept. 30, 1844, the son of William Oliver Collins and Catherine Wever Collins. Before he turned 18, Caspar joined his father, who was a colonel, on a journey west to protect telegraph lines and emigrants who were suffering from constant Indian raids.
On the morning of July 26, 1865, he was to escort a wagon train to the Platte Bridge Station, clearly a suicide mission. Attacked by an estimated 5,000 Indians, Caspar was killed and mutilated by Lakota and Cheyenne Indians.
He was just 20 years old. His body was returned to Hillsboro Cemetery nearly a year later.
Collins is currently being nominated for the Medal of Honor.
This Sunday, July 26, on the 150th anniversary of his death, the Highland County Historical Society will honor Collins as “An Evening with Caspar Collins” will be held on the front lawn of the Scott House from 6-7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair as Roush again reprises his role as Collins.