The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-12-12
An Iowa Casabianca.

But the saddest of our story is yet to
come The next day, Sunday forenoon,
another fire was set short distance
from the one the day before originated,
and the wind being in the same di-
rection, and blowing great deal harder,
the fire was driven parallel with the
other About o'clock it had reached
Grant township, and was coming at a
furious speed toward the premises of
Mr.. B. P. Aiken. Mr.. Aiken's oldest
child, lad of Is summers, saw the
storm approaching, and Immediately
mounted horse and galloped out into
the field to try and save his fathers
hay, which was in imminent danger.
The boy let the horse go, and took the
blanket upon which he rode and wet it in
in the creek and thought to put the fire
out while it was crossing. When the
fire neared him it was so hot that he
could not stand it, and started to run to
one side, with the hope of getting out
of the way of the main head fire. but
he soon saw that he could not get out of
it's way, and knew that he must face
the worst With great presence of mind
the brave little fellow wrapped the blan-
ket around his head and shoulders and
turned and ran with all his might
through the fire. 1t was but the work
of a moment and his doom was sealed.
When he reached the burned region the
blanket dropped from him in pieces, and
with his nailless and almost fingerless
hands he tore the remainder of his burn
ing clohing from his body, except his
shoes, which were crisp tight to his
feet, and there he stood, naked and
scorched from head to foot, suffering I'M
told agonies His father, who was
short distance away, saw the fire as it
passed over his son. He ran his horse
through the side fire and was soon at
his boys side. "Frank, are you badly
burned 2" asked Mr.. Aiken. "No,
father, but let's hurry home," was the
reply. Mr.. Aiken lifted the poor fellow
upon the horse and started to lead it
home, and holding on to the boy with
one hand lest he should fall. They had
proceeded in this manner but few
steps when the suffering boy said, "Oh,
father, let me have the reins-I can't stand
it to 90 so slow" The father obeyed,
and Frank ran the horse at full speed to
the house, dismounted, tied the horse,
and went into the house without assis-
lance. A neighbor Immediately came
to town for Drs. Robinson and Walker,
and in the meantime the almost dis
tracted parents were bathing him with
tallow, which seemed the only thing to
afford ease The doctors did all in their
power to restore the suffering boy, but
all was in vain. He died without a
was burned internally, which caused his
death so suddenly. His limbs up to his
knees and elbows were so badly burned
that the blood ceased to circulate in
them, and they We're cold and dead long
before the patient ceased to breathe
His father, who stood by his bedside
until life had fled, frequently asked him
to have courage, and the brave, little
fellow would reply, "Yes, father, | have
courage, and think | will stand it right"
The funeral services were conducted at
the hall at this place by Rev. A. Z.
Smith, after which the remains were
taken to the Ida Grove Cemetery for
interment Faank was very smart
boy for his age and was highly esteemed
by the neighbors and all who knew him.
He was always very kind and obedient
to his parents The entire community
sympathize with the bereaved family in
this misfortune.