The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1904-06-24

NYOdN OANf OltO was only ABOUT
nj IA 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 a
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
nelghborhods that there was serious
danger of an outbreak among the In
dams. Several of the tribes had res
ervations in that part Of the State But
because the intercourse between the
white and red men had heretofore been
mostly Of friendly, peaceable char
acter, 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-
tcally dcfenseless. =.
One day Mr.. Sanford yoked up his
oxen and loaded his wife and all the
children, except John and Hugh, his
12-year old brother, into the lumber
wagon, and drove off across the prairie
to visit relative who had lately set
tied in the State. The road they had
to go over was a roAgh one, and as
they had about thirty 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
prlsed by visit from Jim Crow, an
Indian who had been a frequent visit
or of the family from the time of its
settlement there. He had: given his
name as Red Crow, originally, but
John had rechristened him Jim Grow,
and he had accepted the new name as
If it were mark of distinction, and
seemed quite proud Of it.
"You haven't been here for quite a
long time" said John. Where have
you been all summer?"
Long ways off," answered Jim
Grow, 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 chill
dren call him father"
Gone visiting" answered John.
won't 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 a man
who lives as much as thirty miles from
here"
Good" grunted Jim Crow. "Hope
he stay. You go, too. Go soon's you
can"
"Why?" asked John, in surprise.
Jim Grow explained to the two boys
why he had come to see Mr.. Sanford.
The Indians were ready to break out
at any time Already they had killed
several settlers on the extreme from
tier limits, and burned their homes.
Several tribes were expected to unite
in a general uprising against the
whites. Some Of these had not yet
agreed upon the terms of warfare
proposed by the leaders of the revolt,
but in all probability they would do 50
very soon, and as soon as a general
understanding was arrived at between
the tribes. the murderous work they
plotted would begin in earnest.
"Mebbe tonight, mebbe next week."
said Jim Grow. He had come to warn
MI. Sanford Of the danger ahead, and
advise him to get away from the place
at once. If they were to remain, they
would certainly be massacred.
Fodder sone-you go, too" said the
Indian. "No 1Niun that way-all this
pointing to the west, signifying that
they would have no difficulty in max
ing their escape.
In the course Of the conversation
John found out something that startled
him quite as much as the realization
of the danger at home. As soon as the
tribes got together, they would en-
deavor to surprise ST. Mary's, which
was the name Of town about twenty
miles down the river. It had, perhaps
Il hundred Inhabitants, two-thirds O.
them women and children. AmonS
them was Johns grandparents, and
with them Alice. his oldest sister.
Have you any idea when they vii
attack the placer asked John Of jim
Crow.