Extremely rare photo and signature from Colonel Raymond Hatfield Gardner, also known as "Arizona Bill."
"Raymond Hatfield Gardner, better known as "Arizona Bill" (1845-1940), was perhaps the last noted Indian scout of the American West. He was captured by Comanche Indians while on a wagon train crossing Texas, and he was traded to the Sioux. He escaped, and became a government scout at age 17.
Throughout his perpatic life, he was a Civil War veteran, cavalryman, courier, Pony Express rider, Indian fighter, government scout, deputy U. S. Marshal, Arizona Ranger, prospecter, mule trader, and Wild West performer.
Then, in his later years, he retired to Fort Sam, where he chose to sleep in the stable near his beloved burro, Tipperary.
He had his own radio program in the 1930s, and wrote a book called, "The Old Wild Wild West: Adventures of Arizona Bill".
He was buried in a pauper's grave, but his military records were found by Sgt. Master George Miller, and he was buried on Veterans' Day in 1976 with full military honors.
Gardner Circle is named for him in his honor."