Did Dayton's Frank Finkel survive Custer's Last Stand?

DAYTON–It is nearly time for Punxsutawney Phil (nationally renowned groundhog) to let the world know what to expect with the weather. If he sees his shadow on Ground Hog Day, the folklore prediction is that winter will last another 6 weeks. If Phil does not see his shadow, then spring should arrive early. Either way, the Blue Mountain Heritage Society (BMHS) believes it is a great time to celebrate the changing seasons and will hold its 12th Annual Ground Hog Dinner at the Columbia County Fairgrounds Youth Building on Saturday, February 1, 2020. The event will start at 5:30 p.m.

Following the dinner, there will be a special presentation by Gary Lentz titled "Frank Finkel & the Sole Survivor Controversy." Frank Finkel was a farmer from Dayton who told a story of how he managed to avoid the arrows and bullets on June 25, 1876, at the Little Bighorn Battlefield in Montana. As a member of Company C, 7th US Cavalry, his immediate company commander was Capt. Thomas Custer. Thomas Custer was the brother of Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, who was in command of the 7th Cavalry that day and was killed along with his brother during that battle. Although most of Company C was destroyed, Frank Finkel told a fascinating story of circumstances and survival that has historians arguing its validity to this day.

Frank Finkel claimed to be the sole survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn and it has been topic of historical interest for many years. Books written about the battle include Custer Survivor, the End of a Myth, the Beginning of a Legend by John Koster, The Mystery of E Troop-Custer's Gray Horse Company at the Little Bighorn by Gregory Michno and Custer's fall-The Indian Side of the Story by David Humphreys Miller. John Koster also wrote information that appears on the History.Net website- Titled Survivor Frank Finkel's Lasting Stand-, which can be seen at https://www.historynet.com/survivor-frank-finkels-lasting-stand.htm.

Frank Finkel was born in 1854 in Ohio. After entering n the Army in the early 1870s and serving under George Custer in 1876, Mr. Finkel came to Columbia County and found work in a local sawmill. He married Delila Rainwater in 1886. By 1911, Frank Finkel owned 820 acres of Dayton Farmland. Frank Finkel died at the age of 86 in August 1930. He is buried in the Dayton cemetery.

Gary Lentz, retired Washington State Park Ranger, who spoke with many people who directly knew Frank Finkel and has taken a serious interest in the story Frank Finkel told, will present a one-hour presentation in a Power Point format. Questions and discussions will follow for those interested in the story.