The enterprise. [volume] (Harlem, Mont.) 1899-1926, 1913-03-27
Lion TREES YOUTH
MONTANA LAD TELLS OF SUFFER.
ING DURING NIGHT IN
BLIZZARD.
BOY LOSES BOTH HIS FEET
With Beast Beneath, He Tried in Vain
to Keep Warm-Crawled to
Nearest House in
Morning.

Butte.-For the first time since the
9Th OF January, 11-year-old Francis
Entsrom, who lost both feet from be-
ing frozen in blizzard, is able to talk
to visitors. Lying upon his cot in his
home, little shack at No. 119 west
Galena alley, he related his experience
n the mountains, 20 miles west of An
aconda.
On the 4th of January Enstrom
and his father left the ranch at Little
Meadows to ride to Georgetown, min.
ing camp two miles distant. At night
the father returned home, leaving his
son with relatives. The lad started
out for home on foot the next day.
Not afraid Of the dark, having no
fear of wild animals; knowing the
road the little fellow trudged on his
way, expecting to reach home in an
rour or two.
Half mile out blizzard sprang up
end blinded him. He CROPPED his way
bravely against the storm. He was
warmly clad, wearing two pairs of nit
tens, fur cap, heavy clothing and
good boots.
Hears Roar of Lion.
About mile from camp the angry
cry ct mountain lion reached his
ears. The wall of hungrey lion is
never forgotten by those who have
heard it. The boy ran to the nearest
tree and climbed it, IS feet or more
and straddled limb just as he saw
the big animal below.
Wolves and coyotes howled, but
none of those animals yentured near
the tree, for those animals wary and
shreWd, do not contest any right the
lion may claim as his own. So the lion
held the fort, while the boy shivered
and the storm reared.
Hours went on, yet there was no
way out. Occasionally the lion jump
ed against the tree in attempts to
reach his prey. The night waned and
the cold grew intense. The boy was
gradually weakening; he began to
realize that he must bestir himself to
keep his blood in circulation. He beat
his hands against his body and kicked
his feet against the tree.
Il never was SO cold in my life, IS
he said. My hands were getting numb
and my feet ached terribly. ! kept
on pounding them. Once | started
down the tree, not hearing the lion
any more; but as soon as | started ]
heard that awful Kissing sound;
knew the lion was close by. My feet
!, pt DE-,
useless.
Feet Frozen.
Not long before dawn my feet cult
hurting and | beat my hands until they
hurt still they didn't get warm. |
thought my feet were getting warm
and felt better, yet my hands SEEM
ed to be bigger and clumsier all the
time. didn't hear the lion for a long
time; but wouldn't take any chances
so l stayed up there in the wind and
snow.
Il was cold all over When day
light came a little looked around,
but saw no lion, the snow had cover
ed UP the tracks. | heartls whistle,
it must have been down at Gearge-
town-must have been 7o'cock slip
ped to the ground. tried to stand up,
but couldn't at first.
"Then I knew that my feet were
frozen. My hands We're useless. l
walked and craWled and stumbled and
finally reached the top of hill. There
] shouted with all my strength, but
no one heard me-. The wind had gone
down and the day was clear and very
cold. 1t was an hour, guess, before
! got to the ranch. My father took
me to Anaconda and then | was
brought to Butte, where they cut my
feet Off"
One foot was taken Off just above
the heel and the other midway be-
tween the heel and the knee.
MONTANA PIONEER DIES.