Texas Jack Omohundro
Texas Jack Omohundro
Texas Jack was born on a farm, his parents were John Burwell and Catherine Baker Omohundro, of Anglo-American ancestry. He went to grammar school in Fluvanna and he was known for having good skills at hunting and fishing at a young age. When the American Civil War began, he tried to join his brother into the army but he was too young and got rejected twice. But he was allowed to become a courier at the headquarters of the Virginia Militia under Major General John Floyd.
At the age of 17, in February 1864, he joined the Army of North Virginia as a courier and a scout. But, during the battle of Trevilian Station he got injured and was transferred to a hospital. When he was healed, he went back to his company and served as a scout.
After the Civil War, John left Virginia at 19 to go to Florida. He went to a ranch where he started to work as a cowboy where he was given the surname “Texas Jack”. After, in 1869, he moved to Kansas where he met some famous cowboys like Wild Bill Hickok.
In December 1872, Texas Jack started acting. He debuted on the first Wild West Show. His first performance was criticized. In 1873, Hickok joined the group and was released a few months after from the group. In 1877, he ended up creating his own acting troupe.
In the spring of 1880, Texas Jack contracted a cold that was pneumonia. He died a few days later on the 28th June in Colorado.