Pvt. Richard Rout

"Private Rout told a Globe-Democrat reporter that they regarded their trip as a great success. He stated that they had encountered numerous obstacles on the way. On July [sic- should say June] 17 they met a tremendous snow storm while crossing the main divide of the Rocky Mountains, near Ellison, Mont., at a distance of more than 4,000 feet about the sea level. Their greatest difficulty was experienced in passing through the sand hills of Nebraska. They had to walk through 185 miles of sand, pushing their bicycles before them, the thermometer registering 110 degrees in the shade. While they had enjoyed the venture, said Private Rout, they were glad to be on the return trip and going by rail instead of traversing the route again in the manner in which they had come. They left Monday night on the 8:45 Burlington train and will proceed to Billings, Mont., and there take the Northern Pacific road to Montana City. Thence they will march a four days’ journey to their post."

- Daily Iowa Capital [Des Moines, IA] pg. 3 August 18, 1897

Register of Enlistments
Richard Rout was born in Stanford, Kentucky around 1863 according to both Register of Enlistment records. According to the 1870 and 1880 Census records he was born in 1866. He enlisted on November 8, 1891 in Cinncinnati, Ohio and became a member of the 25th Infantry, A Company. He is described as having black hair, eyes and complexion. He was only 5' 5 1/2" tall. He was discharged from Fort Custer on December 7, 1896 with the rank of private and a rating of "very good".

1896 Register of Enlistments
Richard Rout reenlisted December 12, 1896 at Fort Harrison, Montana. He was discharged at Fort Huachuca on June 17, 1899 with a rating of "excellent" and the rank of corporal. He was attached to the 25th Inf. Co. H.

1870 Census - Lincoln County, Stanford Precinct, Kentucky
In this record Rout was listed as a 4 year old mulatto male. His mother was listed as Judy Rout, 35 years old and born in Kentucky. Her race is black. The record listed her occupation as "lives in family" and indicates she could not read or write. There are three children: Susan (17), Ann (7) in school, and Richard (4)

1880 Census- Lincoln County, Kentucky
This record indicates that Richard is 14. This time his race is listed as "black". He has a brother, Jesse, aged 21. Both are listed as sons of Juda Rout whose age is given as 40. Both Jesse and Richard's occupations are listed as "work on farm"

Two other Richard Rout's, one born 1856 and the other 1878 are listed in the 1900 Census. Both are living at Stanford, Lincoln, Kentucky.


from Semi-Weekly Interior Journal, [Stanford, KY]  1 April 1898

this information thanks to research done at:
http://www.uky.edu/Libraries/nkaa/record.php?note_id=2559