Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-03-05

the lives OF the family were in great jeopardy
Mrs. Ellsworth with her youngest child,
whom she had dressed, went into the cellar
leaving the other two children in bed Her
husband undertook to 20 10 the nearest niegh-
Dor, which was in north direction, for as
sstance, but the wind was so strong against
him that he found it mpractic cable He then
set out for Mr.. David Browns the nearest
house in another direction, at the distance of
a quarter of mile. He rea ched there about
sunrise, his feet being considerably frozen, and
he so overcome with toe cold that both he
and Mr.. Brown thought il too hazardous for
him to return Mr. Brown went with his horse
and sleigh, with all possible speed, to save the
woman and her children from impending de-
structon.
When he arrived at the house he found
Mrs Ellsworth and one child in the cellar, and
the other children in bed, their clothes having
been blown away by the wind, so that they
could not be dressed Mr. Brown put a bed
into the sleigh, and placed the three children
upon it, and covered them with the bed
clothes. Mrs. E. also got into the sleigh
They had proceeded only six or eight rods be-
fore the sleigh was blown over, and the chill
dren, bed, and covering were scattered by the
wind. Mrs Ellsworth held the horse, while
Mr.. Brown collected the children and bed, and
placed them in the sleigh again. Sho then
concluded to walk, but before she reached
Mr.. Browns house she was SO benumbed by
the cod that size sunk dowa to .he ground.
finding it impossible to walk any further. AT
first she concluded she must perish; but stim-
ulsted by hope of escape, she made another
effort by crawling on her hands and knees, in
which manner she reached her husband, but
so altered in her looks that be did not at first
know her. His anxiety for his children led
him twice to conclude to 60 to their assist.
ance; but the earnest opportunities of his
wife, who supposed he would perish, and that
she should survive but a short time, prevent
ed him.
Mr.. Brown, having placed the children in
the sleigh second time, had proceeded but
few rods, when the sleigh was blown over
and torn TO pieces, and the children driven to
some distance. He then collected them or &C
more, laid them on the bed, and covered them,
and then called for help, but to no purpose
knowing that the children must soor perish
in that situation, and being pierced to the
heart by their distressing shrieks, he wrapped
them all in a coyerlet, and attempted to carry
them on his shoulder, but was soon blown
down, and the children separated from him by
the violence of the wind
Finding it impossible 10 carry them all, he
left the youngest the one who happened to
be dressed, placing it by the side Of large
log He then attempted to carry the other
two, but was soon stopped as before He then
took them one under each arm, with no other
clothing than their shirts, and in this way, al
though blown down every few rods, he arri-
we'd at his house, after being absent about two
hours. The children, though frozen stiff were
alive, but died within few minutes. Mr..
Downs hands and feet were badly frozen, and
he was so much chilled and exhausted as 10
be unable to return for the child left behind.
The wind continued its severity, and no
neighbor called until the afternoon, when
there was every reason to believe the child
left was dead. Towards sunset physician
and some other neighbors arrived, several of
whom went in search of the other child, which
was found aud brought in dead. The lives
Of the parents were saved. but they were left
chdless."
Mr.. Brown, we are informed by gentle
man of Sanbornton. lived until few years
ago, but never recovered from the effects of
that day. He became nearly or quite blind,
and continued thus as long as he lived-N
IL Statesman.