The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1902-03-13
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FRONTIER
HERO. -. =:
BY EBEN e. RExFoRD.
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NJE generally think of heroes as
w full-grown men, but we find.
n we look about us, that we have
many real heroes who have not yet
grown to manhood in years. But Mt
heart, they are men as much as they
ever will be. II Is the story of one
- these boy-heroes I am going to
Aell you now.
John Sanford wns only about ~
years of age when he did the brave
deed that saved hundred lives, in all
probability. He was the son of q
GARNER who had settled on frontier
s1hrm in Minnesota.
II For some time before the opening
~ this story. Il had been reported
among the settlers Of the frontier
eowns and neighborhoods that there
WAS serious danger of an outbreak
among the Indians. Seyernl Of the
tribes had reservations in That part
.of tho state. But because the inter
eourse between the white and red
men had heretofore been mostly of n
friendly, peacenble character. not
many believed the reports and rumors
OF impending trouble to be well
founded, therefore nothing was done
20 protect the settlers In ease of an
omsbreak. Every home was prac-
Ideally defenselcss.
One day Mr.. Sanford yoked up his
oxen and loaded his wife and all the
children, excepting John and Hugh.
his i2-year-old brother. into the lum-
Der wagon, and drove of across the
prairie 10 visit n relative who had
,lately settled In the state. The road
Ahey had TO GO over was n rough
~nne. and as they had about 30 miles
- nlnks each way. they expected to
~ rome at least four or five days.
On the afternoon of the day of the
.fxnfily's departure. the boys were sur
!prised by visit from Jim Crow. an
Indian who had been u frequent Wis
Itor Of the family from the time OF
lts settlement there. lie had given
his name as Red Grow. originally. and
he had accepted tho new name as II IL
were mark of distinction, and
seemed quite proud of II.
"You haven't been here for quite
. long time," said John. "Whcre have
you been all summer?"
"LonR ways OIL" answered Jim
Crow. pointing to the west. .Comc
back las week. Found out something.
Como to tell folder. Where is fod-
dcr?" looking about the place in
search OF Mr.. Sanford, whom he had
always called "fodder" from hearing
the children call him "fathcr."
'Gone visiting" answered John.
won't be back for three or four
days"
"Which way go?" asked Jim Grow.
sThat way" answered John. point
ing 10 the east. "Gone to see n man
who lives as much rs 30 miles from
here"
Good" grunted Jim Crow. Hope
he stay. You go, too. Go soon S you
can"
Awhy?" asked John In surprise.
Jim Grove explained To the boys
Why he had come to see Mr.. Sam
ford. The Indians were ready To
break out st my time. Already they
shad killed several settlers-on the ex-
'treme frontier limits.s and burned
eheir homes. Several tribes were ex-
pected to unite In general uprising
against the whites. Some Of these
had rot yet agreed upon the terms
sof warfare proposed by the leaders
>of the revolt. but In all probability y
they would do 70, very soon, and as
oscn % . general understanding was
arrived at between the tribes. the
0urderous work they plotted would
eqNin IN earnest.
NMsbbe tonight. nebbe next week" I"
Gni1 Jim Crow. He had come IN warn
11r. Sanford Of the danger ahead, and
sdvjse him 20 get away from the place
- once. II they were TO remain they
0pld csrtainly be massacrcd.-
Dpdder gone--you go too" said
n .afndian. "No injun that way--all
~ pointing TO the west. signifying
1ho8 lhcy would have no dihiculty In
z1n)ul1 lAslr escape.
NJ nonrss o. the conversation
~ ~ out something that
3>1c1 ~ quits NO much AZ the
M ~ danger at home
W. ~ w tribes got together
NoulA o4@nsor 20 surprise st.
uhlcx - NE name Of a
) - q - down the river
~ q Inhnbltepts, two
5ohp's grsndper'