AIKEN, Frank (1863-1878)

AIKEN

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 8/1/2025 at 23:42:20

Frank Aiken
(1863 - October 13, 1878)

October 16, 1878 Maple Valley Era, Ida Grove, Iowa
A Lad of 15 falls victim to the fire fiend.
Shocking Death of Frank Aikin from Prairie Fire while herding cattle.
A heart rending accident occurred Saturday about seven miles southwest of this place, which has thrown a gloom over the entire community.
Frank, a son of B.F. Aiken, who lives upon the Soldier, was herding his father’s stock and seeing a prairie fire approaching, which would endanger some hay close by, he left his horse and attempted to save the stacks. The wind was blowing a perfect gale at the time and before the lad was aware of it the fire had flanked him on both sides and approaching from every quarter was a wall of fire full twelve feel high, the circle rapidly narrowing and his only chance for escape being the forlorn hope of running the gauntlet of fire. In his terrible extremity, this was attempted, but the breath of the destroyer enveloped the doomed boy, setting his clothes on fire which were burned entirely off, except his shoes, which were burned to a crisp. Mr. Aiken, seeing the fire approaching with terrible force became alarmed for the boys safety and went in search of him and found him in the awful condition described above, standing on the burned and blackened prairie, able to speak out even hopeful that his injuries were not fatal. He was taken home, medical aid summoned, but at about 3 o’clock Sunday morning, death, in an instance, a kindly ministering angel, stepped in and saved him from the terrible agony of his pain.
Frank was a bright and promising lad, the pride and hope of his fond parents, and the terrible manner of his death as well as the loss of their loved one falls with crushing weigh upon them.
The funeral services were held at the residence, Rev. A.E. Smith conducted the service, the remains being buried in the Cemetery at this place and was followed to their narrow home by a large number of friends.