The Irish standard., 1902-03-01
A ~ >: 81
FRONTIER
HERO. ~ 3:
WYE generally think of heroes as
WV full-groWn men. but we find.
BY EBEN E. REXFORD.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS;

WYE generally think of heroes az
Wy full-grown men, but we find,
If we look about us, that we have
many real heroes who have not yet
grown to manhood in years. But at
heart, they are men as much as they
ever will be. 1t is the story of one
of these boy-heroes I am going to
tell you now.
John Sanford was only about IL
years of age when he did the brave
deed that saved hundred lives, in all
probability. He was the son of Q
farmer who had settled on frontier
farm in Minnesota.
For some time before the opening
of this story, it had been reported
among the settlers of the frontier
towns and neighborhoods that there
was serious danger of an outbreak
among the Indians. Several of the
tribes had reservations in that part
of the state. But because the inter-
course between the white and red
men had heretofore been mostly of a
friendly, pcaceablc character, not
many believed the reports and rumors
of impending trouble to be well
founded, therefore nothing was done
to protect the settlers in case of an
outbreak. Every home was prac-
tically defenselcss.
One day Mr.. Sanford yol1ed up his
oxen and loaded his wife and all the
children, excepting John and Hugh,
his 12-year-old brother, into the lum-
Der wagon, and drove off across the
prairie to visit relative who had
lately settled in the state. The road
they had to go over was a rough
one, and as they had about 80 miles
to make each way, they expected to
be gone at least four or five days.
On the afternoon of the day of the
family's departure, the boys were sur
prised by u visit from Jim Grow, I'M
Indian who had been a frequent WIS.,
itor of the family from the time of
its settlement there. lie had given
his name as Red Crow, originally, and
he had accepted the new name as if it
were a mark of distinction, and
seemed quite proud of it.
"You haven't been here for quite
long time," said John. "Where have
you been all SUMMER"
"Long ways off," answered Jim
Crow, pointing to the west. "Come
back las week. Found out something.
Come to tell fodder. Where is fod.
der?" looking about the place in
search of Mr.. Sanford, whom he had
always called "fodder" from hearing
the children call him father"
"Gone visiting" answered John
wont be back for three or four
days"
(Which way go?" asked Jim Crow
"That way" answered John, point.
ing to the east. "Gone to see man
who lives as much us 80 miles from
here"
"Good," grunted Jim Crow. "Hope
he stay. You go, too. Go soon s you
can"
"Why?" asked John in surprise.
Jim Grove explained to the boyi
why he had come to see Mr.. San.
ford The Indians were ready tc
break out at any time. Already they
had killed several settlers on the ex
IRENE frontier limits, and burned
their homes. Several tribes were ex
pected to unite in a general uprising
against the whites. Some of these
had not yet agreed upon the term,
of warfare proposed by the leader
of the revolt, but in all probability
they would do so very soon, and a,
soon as a general understanding wa,
arrived at between the tribes, thu
murderous work they plotted. would
begin in earnest.
"Mebbe tonight, mebbe next week,
said Jim Grow. He had como to war;
Mr.. Sanford of the danger ahead, ant
advise him to get away from the plac,
at once. If they were to remain the,
would certainly be massacred.
Fodder gone-you 60 too," sait
the Indian. "No injun that way-al
this" pointing to the west, signifyinl
that they would have no difficulty il
making their escape.
In the course of the conversatio,
John found out something tina
startled him quite as much a. tn
realization of the danger at home
As soon as the tribes got togethe,
they would endeavor to surprise 81
Mary's, which was the name Of
town about 20 miles down the rive,
It had perhaps 100 inhabitants, two
thirds of them women and children
Among them was Johns grandpa1
ents, and with them Alice, his oldes
sister.
"Have you any idea when they vii
. attack the placs?" asked John Of Jiu
Grow.
The Indian could not tell when tn,
raid would be made, because he di,
MOI know when the expected tribe
would arrive, but he was certain tina
AZ would take place very soon-an,
day, IN fact.
Hugh, I'll tell you what wen do