The Kansas herald of freedom. [volume] (Wakarusa, Kan. Territory) 1854-1860, 1859-02-12
Discciiapcops.
HORRIBLE SUFFERING UPON THE PLAINS.

Ten Of Majors and RUSSELL Men Frozen 10 Death !
At Ono Time.----Nine Mules Frozen in One |
Night.
Mr.. John Gutherie returned from Salt |
Lake City few days since, and gave the |
Weekly Platte argus the following ac-
count Of the horrible sufferings which he |
and his companions endured from the cold |
weather on the plains and in the noun
tains:
Mr. G. left Salt Lake City on the 9th
of November with the mails, on packed
animals, in company with G. A Beardly, |
of New York. 1t had been showing for
seven or eight days before Mr.. G. left the
valley. The snow was from one to six
feet deep in the Big Mountains, and they
had to tramp the snow to pass with their
animals. Second day out the snow was
so deep that the company got lost and lay
out all night, and the men in charge of
the mail had their feet and hands frozen,
and their boots had to be cut off from their
feet the next morning.
The third day they made Bridger at
sunset, and after travelling about twenty
miles, got lost again, and were compelled
again to lay down in the snow till morn
ing. Fourth day they made Big Sandy
Station, and left there about two O'Clock
in the evening and travelled twenty miles,
wind blowing from the east. The storm
increased so as to prevent them from see
ing five feet ahead, and compelled them
again to lay up They camped in hol-
low, and during the night snow drifted
on them to the depth of three feet. Here
the whole company almost froze. Mr.. G.
states that his feet and legs were so numb
as to be almost unable to stand up The
mail men having no bedding were CON-
PEELED to walk around all night to keep
from freezing. Fifth day-left early in
morning-traveled eight milestone of
the mail mems face and hands froze aud
the other was SO far frozen as to be almost
asleep. Mr.. G. here finding that the men
would freeze, took them off and made
them walk. They then turned and went
back twenty-eight miles to Big Sandy
The next day the wind ceased, and they
started in company with Mr.. Ashton, the
mail agent. They reached the South
Pass at dark.
Here the wind raised again the snow
being drifted from five to ten feet deep,
and they again became lost-for three or
four hours they wandered round in hopes
to find the road, and their only hopes were
to face the wind in order to reach the
Sweet Water, which they did. They then
attempted to travel down this stream, but
the drifted snow was so deep as to be i'm
passable. They camped, and Mr.. Ash
ton froze one of his feet while in the bed.
In the morning they left mules, mail
and all, took it afoot down Sweet Water
on the ice. Mr.. Ashton beggeg to be left
in the bed, as they had to cut the boots
off of his feet. Mr.. G. pulled off his buff
falo moccasins and put them on Mr.. Ash
ton-leaviDg his feet with only deer skin
moccasin on. The whole company con-
cluded their time was growing short, but
like heroes, made desperate effort-part
of the time carrying Mr.. Ashton. They
reached a station about ten miles distant.
They then had some hopes OF making the
trip, although the thermometer stood q
degrees below zero. Mr.. Sanders, the
surveyor on the new road south of Lara.
mic, had Mr.. Miller stationed at this place
with a Barometer and Thermometer, il
order to take notes Ct the weather. The
Oldest mountaineers, one in particular
who lives close by the station, states tina
it was the coolest weather they had ex
perienced for thirty years.
They left Mr.. Ashton after laying owe
three or four days. While here, the st
Joseph mail arrived Mr.. Garvis, tn,
Indian agent for the Snakes, comm,
through with it. They had nine mules
frozen around their camp fire, some with
in two feet of the fire. The men had al
their hands and feet frozen, and lay fou
days within eight miles of the station
unable to get in. Here Majors and Rus
sci had ten men frozen to death. The,
attempted to follow the train, and becam
lost and frozen. While here, the Salt LAX
mail of Dec. 9th, overlook Mr.. G., an,
having no men to send with the mai
Mr.. G. took charge of it and brought it t
Laramie, where he met an agent havin
men. Mr.. G. took the coach, in compan
with four other passengers below Lara
mic they had but little snow, and th
roads were good most of the time. The
found men at almost every station on tn
road, frozen. They met Mr.. Hockada
at Cotton Wood Springs, on his way u
with mules to supply the mail stations
From here the roads became muddy an
the creeks high, and in some places ha
to swim the mules.
The stage company refunded Mr.. Gutt
RE his passage money at st. Joseph, o
account of his attention to Mr.. Ashton
the agent, the hands, and for taking charg
of the mail. and bringing it through frol
South Pass to Laramie, himself