Elk City mining news. (Elk City, Idaho) 1903-1913, 1905-01-21
| that he had got out of the enemy's

that he had got out of the enemy's
But In this he was mistaken, as he
soon found out. AS the tree-top swung
around a little curve In the stream he
saw quite a little village Of wigwams
ahead, on the side of a hill sloping
down to the river. A careful scrutiny
of the camp convinced him that 1t be-
longed to one of the nonresident
tribes, and he concluded that 1t was
well his trip had not been put off until
morning, provided it proved to be
successful one, of course-for If this
were another tribe, the union Jim
Crow had spoken Of would no doubt
be made at once, and the war on the
whites be Immediately begun.
Hewas so intently engaged in watch
ing the camp as he drifted past it, that
he did not notice the approach of a
canoe containing two Indians until 1t
brushed the branches of the tree-top,
as it passed by. He would not have
known, then, what Jared his craft,
had not one of the Indians said some
thing, as he put out his paddle and
gave the tree-top a push. The sound
Of the voice made his heart beat hard
and fast, but he held his breath and
did not dare to move as much as a
finger for a long time after that. When
he ventured to look around the camp
was out of sight.
That was the last he saw of any In
dams. But he did not dare 30 leave
the tree-top yet awhile, for, from all
| he knew to the contrary, there might
| be others ahead.
About noon he came in sight of the
first farm. Here was the place fol
his work of warning to begin. He man
aged to paddle his craft near shore
| and pretty soon he stood on land again
He lost no time in telling the settler
his story. An hour later the man and
his family, with John as passenger
drove toward St Mary's. The,
warned all the settlers along the road
and the frightened men lost no TIM
in seeking for safer quarters.
st. Mary's was reached about
| o'clock. In a short time active prep
arations were going forward for tn
protection of the town. The womel
and children were put in the places o
greatest safety, and men were detail
ed to watch for the enemy's approach
from all quarters.
The Indians did not attack the plac
that night. But on the followin
night they came, expecting, no doub
to find it an easy prey to their mul
derous methods of warfare. But 1
this way they were mistaken. The cit
zens of the little town opened fire upo
them so briskly that they were take
by surprise, and they made a rapi
retreat, leaving several of their nun
Der behind them, dead and wounded
John found himself a hero; but
bore his honors modestly, as the re,
hero always does. Il only did whs
anyone else would have done in 10
place." he said.
The day after the attack of the Il
) dams, Mr.. Sanford and his family an
other settlers arrived Hugh had owe
taken his father when near the end
! the thirty miles journey. Mrs. Sal
ford was so frightened at the though
of the danger John had braved, tn!
she would not listen to the propos
: of her husband that she should sts
> with her friends and let him go to
7 Mary's to find out whether the bI
q had succeeded in his daring underta
q ing, so they all came together, and Il
6 family reunion was complete.
presume the world has never heal
f of this frontier hero of mine befor
But am glad to tell his story, and
= assure you that in telling it, 1 ha7
O not been obliged to draw on imagin
: ton. John Sanford still lives on Il
old farm in Minnesota, and there
@ met him last summer. and found o
all about his boyhood bravery. But
found it out from others-not fro
o him.-Montrea] Family Herald.
, Tender and True.
Snnira Ransom WAS often con s11ltY