The Hardin tribune-herald. [volume] (Hardin, Mont.) 1925-1973, 1937-10-29
Rev. John Frost,Crow Indian ScOu
Preacher, Sterling Citizen,
Died Monday; Oct. Is.

0xkkAN 0OSSSA Wy y A4&&AAAS ~ 49,
mer Frost Ian Englishman), who
served with the union forces dur
ing the war, came west with a>de-
tachment. of aoidiers to assist. In
putting down Indian uprisings. In
q campaign which took him 7into
northern Montana he met the
granddaughter saof the Black Foot
chief, Running Crane, and they
were married. In the course OF
time, a boy was born to them IN
their, humble army tent. They
chose to name him John. Little
did they realize then what the
future might hold: in store f0r
them or their son. For hardly had
he reached six months Of age
when his doctor-father was killed
in an engagement with the Sioux.
This experience on the part OF
the mother called for, vengeance
q life for q life. During those early
years her son John was informed
Of her vow and encouraged to vow
that some day he would kill 8
Sioux for the life. of his. father;
Years later at the dedication Sef-
vice of the Lodge Grass Indian
church, John called attention to
this VOW while standing, on the
platform with a Sioux Indian
preacher. He placed his arm over
his shoulder and spoke of how The
Transforming power of christian
faith had changed his VOW for re-
venge into brother love.) Under
the influence of the older men in
the tribe, who had adopted him
and his mother as their own, he
grew in wisdom of Indian lore and
life. He developed a fearless nature
and indomitable courage and grew
in stature and in favor with all
his people.
At the age of seventeen, along
with other Crow Indian boys and
girls he enrolled in the Carlysle
indian school in Pennsylvania.
While there characteristics of
leadership were developed which
proved to be very helpful in later
years. It was while at Carlysle that
his fathers sister, who possessed
some means, endeavored to per-
suade John to leave the customs
and ways of the Indians and come
into the life and environment u
the white communities. But after
a few months living in her home
John decided that his place was
back in Montana with the Grow
people.
On returning to the reservation
ne accepted an opportunity to
serve as a scout and Interpreter
for two years at Fort Custer. While
there he developed on many Oc-
casions traits of exceeding courags
and daring. On one scouting trip
with Lieut.. Robinson In an at
tempt to capture two Cheyenne
Indian boys who had killed a
couple of cowboys, he ventured in
to a trap laid for the soldiers.
Suddenly, as he was riding his
horse through the thick brush, he
saw the plume of an eagle feather
just ahead of him. As he raised
his revolver to fire a cheyenne
warrior jumped up in front Of him
and shouted: Don't shoot, John,
your life's at stake" There. stand
ing before him was an old schco
chum of Carlysle days, Felix Eagle
Feather. Two Moons. chief of the
Cheyennes, to whom John was
taken following this raid, said to
him in the sign language of the
Indians: Either you are foolish
in the head or else you have a
heart like stone"
After leaving Fort Custer in
1895 he went to Big Timber, where
he settled down to ranch life on
upper Deer creek, taking with him
his bride, Amelia Ledo, whose
folks were ranchers near by. Even
with ranch duties pressing, John
found time to. accept for a period
of two years the office of deputy
sheriff Of Sweet Grass county. In
this position he made an enviable
record In courageous daring and
leadership ability.
In 1915 he left the ranch and
with his family of five children
moved to Pryor. During their first
four years there John clerked at
the store of Sim Simonson. and
did some farming in addition to
his duties at the store.