Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1929-08-08

~ l heroes (which are but little removed
from the dime novel class, read what
Doctor Grinnell. who Is one of tle very few real
authorities on the history of the American
frontier has to say about Maj Frank North and
Capt, Luther Fl. North In his book 1.-TWO Great
Scouts and Their Pawnee Battalion" published
recently by the Arthur H. Clark company OF
Cleveland
In the introduction to that volume you will find
these words:
Major Frank North died In 1885, In his early
middle life. He was great leader OF men and
his character won for him the absolute devotion
and trust of those he commanded. Whether 1t
was by his good fortune or his skill, he never
lost man In battle This no doubt was In part
an explanation OF the faith his men had In him
In his success. Himself always in the forefront
OF the battle, he never said TO his men Go on.
but always Come along and his men always
strove to keep up with him.
Needless to say, he was brave and he ex-
pected In his the courage and steadfastness
that he himself possessed. In one fight when he
and his scouts were In the open, exposed to the
fire of concealed enemies and some of his men
showed q disposition to retreat Frank North said
to them, i shall kill The first man that runs No
ran.
1.-THE experiences OF Capt. T. Fl. North cover
more years than those OF his brother and so are
international boundary. south through Oklahoma
(the old Indian Territory and he has spent much
time In the Rocky mountains He is today the
greatest. he Is almost the last OF the old-time
scouts Of America
His knowledge o. the Indian and OF the In
dams ways of thought Is profound. AS hunter
of wild game he was lost expert and successful
and the most certain and best rifle shot that
have seen.
"At this late day few survive no were
scouts In the Indian wars. OF these Captain
North Is probably the oldest as he Is certainly
the most experienced and the most able. Cap
tain North and his brother Frank North. were
in the class with Brdger and Carson. They
and such as they, did the tremendous work OF
making available what Is called our western
empire"
High praise that-to class the Norths with such
great pioneers as Old Jim Brdger and Xii Car
son-and coming from such a source 1t Is all the
more impressive. But nm inspection Of the record
as 1t is set forth in Doctor Grnnell's book, will
show how worthy the Norths were Of the title
of empire builders" Although their careers on
the frontier filled with enough thrilling
experiences to delight the soul OF any dime nov
elist, fortunately for their enduring fame these
puryeyors Of sensation passed them by In favor
OF lesser men. And there can be no doubt that
both sFrank North and Luther North were the
best pleased Of any one that the, did pass them
by. For, like most men who have accomplished
great deeds of daring and danger, they were least
Inclined to talk about them. II they were TO
receive any recognition for the work they did,
they, no doubt, would have preferred Ii to come
as 1t has-from the hands Of an appreciative and
understanding friend (for the friendship of Doc
tor Grinnell and Captain North dates from the
old Indianfghting days more than half
century ago)-n the form OF straightforward,
matter-of-fact narrative such as Doctor Grinnell
has written, with the ring of truth aud accuracy
In every line.
Thomas j. North, father Of the two great
scouts was q native of New York who removed
TO Ohio soon after his marriage. His Oldest son,
James r. North was born In Ohio In 1888; Frank
North was born In New York In 1910 and Luther
North In Ohio In 1885, In 1855 the elder North
emgrated to the newly organized territory of
Nebraska and year later brought mis- family
to the tract of eighty acres Of timberland on
the borders Of Omaha which he clearing for
the owner OF the land. North aso sur
veyor and that winter while laying out a town
site on the California emlgrant trail he
frozen TO death.
Upon the three brothers fell the responsibility
OF caring for their mother and tnelr two younger
sisters. Eventually the family settled near
Columbus, Neb., where the boys obtained work
of various SORTS Luther North, then thirteen
years of age, become mail carrier between the
towns OF Columbus and Monroe and Frank North
Joined forces with three men who we've making
living by trapping and poisoning wolves for their
hides II was during this time that the North