New Orleans Republican., 1873-07-20
A Wisconsin Heroine.

Thomas Velfe and wife, with family Of
small children, settled in this county, some
thing more than year ago, and being poor,
they, after many hardships, erected a small
dwelling and cleared a few acres OF land,
but they were in the wilderness, ten miles
from neighbors. A few weeks ago the
father and mother left their family, con-
sisting of a girl aged twelve years, one
aged nine years. and two other children,
aged respectively three years and thirteen
months. on trip to the settlement to get
cow and bring in some potatoes to plant.
After the parents had been gone few
hours, Tie house took fire, and the Oldest
girl Immediately rushed to the raOf with
water, but not being able to remove
the shingles, che could do nothing to stay
the flames which gained rapidly, spreading
on the inside of the roof until bursting
through, they drove her from her work.
The heroic girl now turned her attention
TO saving her brothers and sisters. Coming
to the door Of the building she found that
the child next to her own age had got out
OF the house, bringing the baby with her;
but the little three-year old had crouched
under shaving horse in the further corner
OF the room. There being no chamber
floor, the fire was dropping from the burn
ing roof between the child and the door,
and when asked to come it refused to do so,
saying. Il am safe here; the fire don't drop
here Our little heroine hesitated only
moment. but rushing through the falling
embers brought the little one to safe
place, both having their clothes somewhat
burnt
But now comes the hardest part Of the
task before her. Scantily clothed, and
with no food, she took the babe in her arms
and with the other children started upon
the trail for the settlement. After going a
few miles she encountered rapid stream,
swollen by the spring rains. so that in ford
ing it the water came up to her armpits
She first carried the babe across. and then
the little three -year-old, and lastly half led
and half carried her older sister through
the water to the other bank Three times
during the remainder Of the day she strug-
gled across the swollen streams in her way.
until night set in the deep forest surround
ing her.
Cold, wet and hungry, she sought place
to camp. and by good fortune found an old
camp. left by the Indians, upon which
about one-half Of the roof still remained.
Under this she placed her little flock and
then collected pine boughs and made a
rude bed. Placing the little one in the
nj : the heroic girl stripped off her dress
a..u ts,. : over the children. then cov-
oioi chen, with the houghs tn keep
.a'..- Ton. II" chill II ght air. and sat
0own beside them, 10 satcn through that
long, coIu nlsnt, comforting the little one
when it cried, and speaking words of cheer
to the elder ones. The long, dreary hours
of night dragged slowly by, and at the first
peep of day she resumed her toilsome
march, and had nearly reached the first
settler when she met her parents returning.
An older and a wiser head might have found
an easier way out of the dilemma, but we
feel certain that no one could have acted
braver or have endured more than the
little aughter Of Thomas Velfe.- Wisconsin,
River Pilot.