Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-11-13
AN IOWA CAsABIANCA.
Story If g B,r;ce Little Boy HAo jTos
Earned on the PI.nirteS
Ida County Gowa) Pioneer. /

E"iRe0 on the PIairicS.
Ida County Uowa) Pioneer.
But the saddest Of our story is yet to
come. The next day, Sunday forenoon, an
other fire was set short distance from,
where the one the day before originated. and
the wind being in the same direction. and
blowing great deal harder the fire was
driven parallel with the other About one
O'Clock it had reached Grant township. and
coming at a furious speed toward the
premises of Mr.. B. T. Aiken. Mr. Aiken's
Oldest child, lad of fifteen summers. saw
the tire storm approaching, and Immediately
mounted a horse and galioped 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 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 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 its 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 ali
his might through the fire. It 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 fngerless hands
he tore the remainder of his burning cloth
ing 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 untold 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?''
asked Elf. 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 ne might fall.
They had proceeded in this manner but a
few steps when the suffering boy said. .sOh.
father, let me have the reins-I can't stand if
to go so slow" The father obeyed, and FranI,
ran the horse at full speed to the house, d 8
mounted, tied the horse and vert into the
house without assistance. A neighbor i'm
mediately came to the town for Drs. Robin
son and Walker, and in the meantime the
almost distracted 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 struggle AT
two the next morning. He was burned in
ternally, which caused his death so suddenly.
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 patient ceased to
breathe His father who stood by his bed
side until life had fed, frequently asked him
to have courage, and the brave little fellow
would reply, eyes, father, I've got courage,
and think will stand it all right The
funeral services were conducted at the hall
at this place last Monday afternoon by Rev.
A. b Smith, after which the remains were
taken to the Ida Grove cemetery for inter
ment. Frank was very smart boy for his
age, and was highly esteemed by the neigh
bors and all who knew him. He was always
very kind and obedient to his parents. The
entire community sympathize with the be-
reayed family in this great misfortune.