The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1877-05-12
THE RECORD
A TRUE TALE OF THE PAST AND
PRESENT.

From the Beaver (Utah) Square Dealer
When on the Island of Tupusi, South
Pacific Ocean, boy was given me, when
an infant one year old. His father,
brilliant young man, native of New
York, was a missionary companion OF
nv husband, Elder Addison Pratt. Hav-
ing remained there for several years, he
married native woman from the China
Island group; the issue was three sons,
one OF which we imY husband and my
self adopted We brought him over
the seas when he was two years old, In
1852. In 1858 I brought him to Utah.
He was a smart, bright boy, and took
pride in teaching him. He remained
with me till he was sixteen, his father
being absent most of the time. He then
left --ue without permission, and went
with freighter to Montana. Through
various viclssitudes. he became an ex-
press rider. On one of his trips, in
1870, he was captured by the Black Feet
Indians, robbed of the mail, stripped OF
all his clothes, and left seventy miles from
any habitation. He managed to reach
Fort Hail almost frozen and starved;
after recuperating he was induced to en-
gage in the same business, which he fol-
lowed one year longer, and was then cap
tured by the Sioux Indians; he was kept
two years confined to one lodge; but
after that had more privileges granted to
him; he became so accustomed to their
habits, and not being cruelty treated,
felt disposed to remain with them until
circumstances should make it practicable
for him to make his escape, in the mean
t,,,a n , Il h; N, Golf with all 1iliuappa
to study their character, their methods
of warfare, and to know every inch of
their country; thinking that in some
future day his knowledge would be of
service to himself, and he of service to
his country. 1t was not until 1876 that
he found an opportunity to escape, hav-
been fye years the protegs of the famous
"Stting Bull" We named him
"Ephraim Pratt" while away he took
the name of his real father, Frank
Grouard. He went to a military station,
and was Immediately appropriated by
General Crook as guide and scout in his
command. His father, Mr.. B. T.
Grouard, seeing his name in the papers,
wrote to him to ascertain who he was
The mystery was then solved; he was
found to be my long-lost boy, lost to mt
ten years. l had followed him with my
prayers, and thankful was l that in hit
childhood / had taught him to believe il
God and pray to him. l addressed let
ter to Fort FettermaD, and received il
return one of the most pathetic, peniten
and impressive letters l ever read; Civ
ing me an account of his adventures ant
suffering, imploring, in most humbl
manner, forgiveness for leaving me ab
ruptly. and saying "how dearly he ha,
paid for his waywardness and disobedi
ence in leaving SO good mother, VIII
was always kind and used every means t
make him q good man." The famil
and neighbors were excited and move
to tears when the letter was read. Hi
photograph was sent, as natural as lif,
wel.dressed gentleman, no look Of a
Indian about him it is to US almost lik
the resurrection of the dead The re
porters write everything in his praise, a
first-cass "Cabinet officer" ''chief {
the northern scouts, braver than an
Sioux" etc. His ready brain and hand
are practically Invaluable. One thir
which interests US very much is that /
has found u white girl among II
Sioux, and from the description given v
are greatly in hopes it is Bro, Thur
toms child stolen from Cache Valley
1867, and grand daughter of Elder Era
tus Snow. My son described her in b
letter as pale, delicate girl, apparent
about sixteen years old The Indiai
are kind to her. They keep her makir
bead-work; she knows not word
English. He further says: II have twi
tried to capture her, but did not succee
l think shall yet accomplish It,
l have written to Brother Snow al
received in return his heartfelt acknov
edgement. promising his faith al
prayers; and his advice to the young mi
was that he would advise him to ettem
nothing so hazardous as her captu
would be, only in the fear of God, and
so doing and acting with great cautio
he feels he would be sure of success.
copied the letter and sent it to my SO
i feel to pray most earnestly that 81
al event may transpire, and the d.
one. whoever she may be, restored to
yearning parents. If they still live, a
most certainly the complication of th,
peculiar circumstances would constri
US to acknowledge Divine Provider
In the whole transaction, and to tha
our Heavenly Father for his all-prese
ing care. expect my son to visit
soOu. Mrs. l.. b. PRATT
Beaver, March 81. 1877.