Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-05-28
VOL. 2.---NO. Al.
A FEARFUL ADVENTURE.


Kansas correspondent, has the following
At ST. Joseph I saw Mr. a. T. German, of
New YoEiS, who had just como in from the
mountains in such state of prostration and
affiiction as could only have been occasioned
by such exposure, hardship, and suffering az
perhaps no other man ever survived In COM
pany with Canadian Erenchman and two
kentuckians he LETT the country of the Black
Feet Indians last fall to join Culverson and
party at Fort Pierre and accompany them to
the States. They arrived at Fort Pierre two
days after Culyersons departure, and hasten
cd on after in the hope of oyertahing him.
On the third day one of these snow storms
known only on those bleak and elevated re-
gions opened upon them. 1t came down in
solid masses to the depth of four feet, and vas
blown about by drifting winds, levelling un-
even places, penetrating and filling their wag-
ous and clothes, and obstructing their progress.
Evening was approaching, aud they resolved
TO make ono effort to reach more protected
place before the. night set in. They urged
their horses forward, but had not proceeded
more than few hundred yards, German being
mounted on one of the teamsters and his com
ranion in the wagon, when suddenly he felt
himself precipitated, he knew not how far, in
to an abyss of snow. He was completely Gov
cred over, and could not tell which way to
turn. He struggled CT, however, making
slow and tedious way, until .he came to the
surface. he supposed a hundred yards from
where he sank. He looked around for his
companions, but neither they nor the wagon
could be seen. The place where they had fall
len into the chasm was Emoothed over and
presented plain of snow. He called aloud
for them, but was only answered by wild and
wailins winds.
A feeling of dread and desolation and des-
pair came over him, and he was about to yield
himself TO that death which seemed inevita-
BILE Already had the cold penetrated his
frame darkness was covering the skies the
increasing winds whirled the falling snow
more furiously; he was alone in vast, inhos-
pitable, unknown country, without provisions,
without shelter, without ammunition or arms,
and he was fearful to take step in any direc-
tion lest.he should be buried in deep abyss.
His manhood was subdued, he wept like a
child; tho memories of his happy home and
Of his mother came fresh upon him. He
knew the many anxious hours, the miserable
years, that his unknown fate would cause her
If he could only send one word of affectionate
adicu he could die in peace but that could
not be, and he must rouse himself.
He offered his first prayer for heavenly aid
He arose and moved forward through the dark
ness and the drifts. He some times fell of ex
haustion and felt inclined to repose but he
knew that one moments pause was fatal, and
he struggled on. The next day he saw some
bushes, which gave him hope of rest and
| warmth, but when he reached them he found
to his dismay that the matches in his pocket
| were wet and spoiled, and could not be iguited.
His feet had become SO sore and swollen from
constant walking as TO burst the solos from
his shoes, and he was compelled 10 crawl and
tumble along. Thus he worked his way slowly
but increasingly through the next night and
the dag, becoming more faint each hour, and
suffering a thousand deaths from hunger, thirst,
frosted limbs, sore feet, weariness, and drow-
siness, when he deserted hut short way of.
Suddenly revived, like candle fickering
in the socket, he sprang and ran forward a few
| steps and screamed for help, and fell sense
! less in the snow. Some Indians at the has
] heard and saw him, and went and brought him
! in, and used all their rcstoratives upon him !.
( but it was several days before he returned TO
consciousness, and six long weeks before hs
/ left his bed. He lost several of his toes and is
otherwise injured, but, through the assistance
OF. some generous gentlemen of ST. Joseph,
] he will be enabled to reach home. His COM
J panions have never been heard of.