The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1904-06-24

~ Ohm SANFORD was only about
nj IA years of age when he did the
y brave deed that saved a hundred
lives in all probability He was the
son of a 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
eryations in that part of the State But
because the intercourse between the
white and red men had heretofore been
mostly of a 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-
tically defenseless.
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 a relative who had lately set
tied in the State. The road they had
to go over was a rough 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
famlly's departure the boys were sur
prised by a 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 Grow, originally. but
John had rechristened him Jim Crow,
and he had accepted the new name as
II 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 mar
who lives as much as thirty miles from
here"
Good" grunted Jim Crow. "Hopt
he stay. You go. too. Go soon's yol
can"
'Why?" asked John. in surprise
Jim Crow explained to the two boy.
why he had come to see Mr. Sanford
The Indians were ready to break on
at any time. Already they had killed
several settlers on the extreme from
tier limits, and burned their homes
Several tribes were expected to unit,
in a general uprising against tn,
whites. Some Of these had not We
agreed upon the terms of warfar,
proposed by the leaders of the revolt
but in all probability they would do S,
very soon, and as soon as a genera
understanding was arrived at between
the tribes, the murderous work the,
plotted would begin in earnest
"Mebbe tonight, mebbe next week,
said Jim Grow. He had come to war;
Mr. Sanford of the danger ahead, an,
advise him to get away from the plac
at once. II they were to remain, the.
would certainly be massacred.
Fodder gone-you go, too" said tn
Indian. "No injun that way-all this,
pointing to the west, signifying tina
they would have no difficulty in max
ing their escape.
IN the course Of the conversation
John found out something that startle
him quite as much as the realization
of the danger at home. AS soon as tn
tribes got together, they would er
deavor to surprise St Marys, whic
was the name Of a town about twent
miles down the river. 1t had. perhaps
hundred inhabitants, two-thirds Q
them women and children. Anon
them was Johns grandparents, an
with them Alice, his oldest sister.
"Have you any idea when they wi
attack the placer" asked John OF jill
Crow.
The Indian could not tell when II