The Cowboy's Baby's primary photo
  • The Cowboy's Baby (1908)
  • Short | Drama, Short
Primary photo for The Cowboy's Baby
The Cowboy's Baby (1908)
Short | Drama, Short
A grim reminder of pioneer days, but a story that carries with it the saving grace of honor. The first scene is without doubt the most accurately staged presentation of an Indian massacre ever used in a motion picture, utilizing as it does...See moreA grim reminder of pioneer days, but a story that carries with it the saving grace of honor. The first scene is without doubt the most accurately staged presentation of an Indian massacre ever used in a motion picture, utilizing as it does the services of over 100 real Sioux warriors, mounted on their spirited ponies, we see them swoop down on a wagon train of early settlers. The doomed pioneers fight with the courage of despair, but the odds are too heavy and they are annihilated. The victorious Indians first loot them, fire the wagons, then scamper away to secure the stampeded mules of the murdered settlers, when a party of cowboys rides up to the scene and view this tragedy of the plains. A great fight follows, and they succeed in driving the Indians off to the mountains, and when they return and prepare to give the dead a Christian burial, they are amazed to hear the wail of an infant coming from under the cover of one of the wagons that has escaped the torch of the Indians. A big-hearted cowboy, Joe Dayton by name, clambers into the wagon and reappears with the sole survivor clasped awkwardly in his arms. "What ye go'en to do with him. Joe?" "Adopt him, of course." Answers Joe. When he rides up to his ranch and presents the baby to his astonished housekeeper, that worthy old lady is in a flutter of joy. She soon discovers a note the heart-broken mother has pinned to the infant's clothing, showing that even in the face of death she was hoping against hope that her darling's life might be spared. We next see the foster father of the little infant just about buying out the country store in his awkward attempt at getting together things the baby might want. Then we see Joe wheeling a baby carriage and trying to quiet his little charge, but the hopelessness of his task dawns upon him and he puts into execution a cherished plan. Mabel Deering, the daughter of a neighbor, has won the heart of our hero long before our story opens, but she has other admirers, among them a prosperous Mexican cattle king, and though being courted has hesitated about giving up her freedom. But Joe leads trumps, he pens the following note to his coy sweetheart: "Dear Mabel: Twice you have turned me down, but I am now the adopted daddy of a fine baby boy. Won't you be his mother? Answer quick. The kid is too much for me. Joe." Mabel is listening to the proposal of the wealthy Mexican when Joe's quaint offer arrives. The girl's heart goes out to the motherless child, and Joe gets the answer he is hoping for. The wedding takes place, but the greaser swears vengeance. He determines to steal the helpless infant. An opportunity soon offers. Sing Low, Joe's Chinese servant, has put the youngster to sleep in his baby carriage and loaves him to attend to culinary matters for a few moments. The Mexican's hirelings are on the watch, they grab the sleeping babe, mount their horses and dash away. Sing Low returns, misses him and gives the alarm. Then begins a race for life. Joe gets together his own men and goes in pursuit. The news spreads and soon the whole countryside is aroused and the ranchmen from near and far congregate for the manhunt. Even Sing Low mounts a burro and joins in the chase. Over prairies, up mountains, across rivers, through dense woods, the ranchmen pursue the cowards, until on the bank of a swift-rushing stream the villains, fearing the cries of the infant will lead their pursuers to them, throw the helpless child into the river. But assistance is at hand. Joe and his men arrive, rescue the baby and mete out swift Western justice to the cowardly Mexicans. The baby is once more returned to his adopted home. Sing Low is roundly cursed for his carelessness, and vows never to let the cowboy's baby get out of his sight again. Written by Moving Picture World synopsis See less
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Director
Francis Boggs
Producer
William Nicholas Selig
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Status
Edit Released
Updated Aug 8, 1908
Release date
Aug 8, 1908 (United States)

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1 cast member
Name Known for
Fred Church's primary photo
Fred Church
Joe Dayton (as Frederick Church) Joe Dayton (as Frederick Church)   See fewer
The Flirt (I) (1916)
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