American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1878-11-23
A SAD STORY.
How a Brave Boy Was Burned to Death |
in Northwestern Iowa.


I'm Northwestern Iowa.
From the Ida County tIowa) Pionecr.l
But the saddest of our story is yet to
come. The next day, Sunday forenoon,
another fire WAS set q short distance
from where the one the day before
originated, and, the wind being in the
same direction, and blowing a great
deal harder, the fire was driven parallel
with the other. About / O'Clock it had
reached Grant Township, and was com
ing at a furious speed toward the
premises of Mr.. b. f. Aiken. Mr..
Aiken's oldest child, lad of Is sum-
mers, saw the fire storm approaching,
and Immediately mounted horse and
gallopcd out into the Held to try and
save his fathers hay, which was in inn
minent danger. The boy let the horse go,
and took the blanket upon which he
rode and wet it in the creek and thought
to put the fire out while it was crossing.
When the fire nenrcd him, it was so hot
he coald not stand it, and started to run
at 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
the way, and knew that he must face
the worst. With great presence of
mind, the brave little fellow wrapped
the wet blanket around his head and
shoulders, and turned and ran with all
his might through the fire. 1t was but
the work of n moment, and his doom
was sealed When he reached the burnt
region the blanket dropped from him
in pieces, and with his nailless
and almost fngerless hands he
tore the remainder of his burn
ing clothing from his body, ex-
cept his shoes, which were crisp tight
to his feet, and there he stood, naked
and scorched from head to foot, suffer-
ing untold agonies. His father, who
was coming a short distance, 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?" 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 might fall.
They had proceeded in this manner but
few steps when the suffering boy said,
Oh, father, let me have the reins-l
can't stand it to go so slow" The ia
Their obeyed, and Frank ran the horse at
full speed to the house, dismounted,
tied the horse, and went into the house
without assistance. A neighbor imme-
diately came to town for Drs. Robinson
and Walker, and during the meantime
the almost distracted parents were bath
ing him with tallow, which seemed the
only thing to afford ease. The doctors
did all in their power to restore the suf-
fering boy, but all was in vain He
died without a struggle at the next
morning. He was burned internally,
which caused his death so sudden. His
limbs up to his knees and elbows were
so badly burned that the blood had
ceased to circulate in them and they
were cold and dead long before the pa
tient 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, I've got
courage, and think 1 will stand it all
right"