Sidford F. (Sidford Frederick) Hamp
The Trail of The Badger: A Story of the Colorado Border Thirty Years Ago
"The Trail of The Badger: A Story of the Colorado Border Thirty Years Ago" by Sidford F. Hamp is a historical novel likely written in the early 20th century. Set against the backdrop of late 19th-century Colorado, the story follows two enterprising boys, Frank Preston and Dick Stanley, as they embark on an adventure filled with challenges and encounters that reflect the clash of local cultures and the untamed wilderness of the American West. At the start of the narrative, readers are introduced to Frank, who is suddenly swept away from his studies in St. Louis by his Uncle Tom, who takes him to the new mining camp of Mosby, Colorado. Their arrival in the intriguing town is marked by chaotic events, including a frantic chase to help a man suffering from mountain fever. As Frank meets Dick Stanley, another boy of about his age, they bond over their shared love for adventure, leading them into the wilds where they face various dangers, including a charging bear. The opening chapters establish their friendship and set the stage for further excursions into the complexities of frontier life amidst the dramatic landscape of the Rockies.