The weekly Minnesotian. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1852-1858, 1857-01-24
Serious Suffering from COld-..Life En-
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Serious Suffering from Cold-..Life En-
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Tuesday of this week was what may be
termed "bitter day. The THERMOMETERS
did not range as low as on previous days;
but we had a driving snow storm with CUT
ting wind, almost amounting to hurricane,
blowing from the northwest until nearly sun
set. Then the snow ceased, but the WIND
did not. and the beaten roads into the coun-
try were speedily heaped with drifts from
the newly fallen snow until the beaten tracks
were entirely obliterated. As the clouds
passed off st evening, the mercury com
menced to fall rapidly, aud by dark it was
standing at 10 below 0, with the northwest
blast still sweeping mercilessly over our h'gh
bluffs and prairies.
Facing this rigid and almost unbearaoie
state of weather, large number OF our CIT
liens, ladies' and gentlemen, undertook to
avail themselves of tho kind Inequalities OF
d. A. j. Baker, Esq, and lady, who live
about four miles from the center of the city
on the St. Anthony road. The direction If
northwest, and of course was directly in
the eye of the wind. The drivers of the
several sleighs, when they reached the prai-
RE Immediately on the skirts Of the city linn
its, were unable to follow the travelled road
the horses plunging into deep snow up to
their bellies, and the darkness of the night
preventing the least possibility of discover
ing where the.road was, or any proper means
of extrication.
The scene is described as one which call
ed forth the courage and GOODNESS Of mer
who had never known what it was to loo
danger in the face. Some twenty or thirty
sleigh-loads of human beings-half at least
of whom were ladies, and dressed as ladies
Siu dress in all climates to 60 to "parties"-
were immersed in three-feet snow drift OF
an open prairie, with no power Of extrica-
tation unless their good horses could accom-
plish the work and thus save their lives
Dwellings were around them within less thar
quarter Of mile IN every direction, but fol
man or beast to get there seemed impossible
After extreme suffering, and staying il
this predicament for many hours, one pol
ton of the party finally found the road, anG
made their way to Mr.. Bakers residence ;
another portion returned home, and the re-
manning and smallest portion found shelter.
beneath the roofs of neighboring farmers.
Ofthe party that went on to their origina
destination, was VIM. Wolff, Esq, druggist
While the team which conveyed Mr.. w., an.
his lady was. floundering about in the snow
drift, Mrs. Wolff accidentally dropped som.
article of dress or ornament into the snow
Her husband got out, and undertook t,
search for the same, and in doing so had hi
hands thoroughly benumbed. When he al
rived at Mr.. Bakers, his fingers, particular
ly those Of the left hand, were badly frozen
His agony was extreme. No medical aio
was at hand but by the energy Of j. B.
Sanborn, Esq, Dr. Stewart was conveyed
from the city to the presence of the suffer
ing man as soon as possible. 1t is doubtful
whether amputation Of the fingers of IT,.
left hand will not be necessary to save hit
life.
Several otherswho took part in this un-
fortunate adventure had their ears, noses.
fingers and toes frost-bitten; but we are cx-
ceedingly pleased to state that the case we
have mentioned was tho only serious one, SO
far as we have been enabled to learn. The
attempt to seek pleasure by enccuntering
such weather with full knowledge of thu
extreme depth of snow upon the ground, we
must say was indiscreet; and how any lady
with knowledge of what stormy Mime
sofa winter nigh; ON the open prairie really
is, could have been entrappcd into such a
reckless adventure, We are at loss to imsg-
inc. They have cause to thank their God
that they all have been enabled to reach
home alive.
1t is Of course scarcely necessary to add
that Mr.. and Mrs. Baker were untiring in
their attentions to their suffering guests
and the whole community appreciates the
feelings of regret and sorrow which they
felt when their intended social assemblage
was very nearly being turned into scene O.
mourning. .-at .4 .- .,.r .r