Streamer, Francis Marion, 1834-1912

Journalist, indian scout, and interpreter; known as Frank Streamer.

From the description of Papers, 1876-1898. (Unknown). WorldCat record id: 70925080

Francis "Frank" Marion Streamer was born in 1834 at Williamsburg, PA. By the time he was 20, he had moved to Ponitiac, IL and was working at his brother's drug store. Frank met and married a young woman named Clara. They had several children. Frank fought in the Civil War although he never fired a shot. Frank and Clara's marriage was never the same after he returned from the Civil War and they were divorced in Washington Territory eight years later. He had gone to Omaha to work for the Omaha Herald. He was fired from the Omaha Herald for drinking. After that he began to head West where his brother, Charles, had already settled on Whidbey Island, WA. In 1876 he began walking alone across the continent. He arrived in Seattle in Sept. 1876, where his mental condition was noticed for the first time. Mr. Streamer had spells of mental derangement and was hospitalized twice at Steilacoom. It also appears he had a severe drinking problem. With all these difficulties, he was appointed a Notary Public, taught school and ran a post office in the Ellensburg, WA area. He held these positions for about four years then his life became very nomadic. He became an occasional Indian scout and submitted articles to newspapers. He spent a lot of time with the Nez Perce Indians and traveling in and around Wenatchee, WA and Kittitas County, WA. Eventually Frank M. Streamer was committed to Medical Lake Hospital for the Insane. Mr. Streamer died at the hospital in 1912.

From the description of Frank M. Streamer's papers, 1884-1886. (Washington State Library, Office of Secretary of State). WorldCat record id: 177246569