The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1859-11-18
Young Man Frozen to Death--A Conn
paRton Barely Escapes from the
Same Fate.

Same Fate.
Sunday morning, about o'clock, four
young men, among whom were Theodore
Kleinsmidt Stephin Vienna, and Frank
Butler, the latter promising lad fifteen or
sixteen years of age, started from this CITY
to Illinois for a hunt. Vienna and Butler
were both clerks for D. Preston, corner of
Market and Third streets. About o'clock
the party reached Bluff Lake, two miles and
half from Cahokia, and, deeming the ice
sufficiently strong to bear their weights, at
tempted to go across, a distance of 300
yards. They saw the tracks Of others on
the ice, and anticipated no danger When
however, about midway from the banks a
sharp cry was heard from young Butler,
and it was seen that the ice had broken
with him, and that he was struggling to get
out. Mr.. Vienna, Fastening to his assist
ance boldly jumped in, and as the water
was not more than three or four feet deep
at that point, did not expect much trouble
in getting the lad safely out. Butler was
immersed r 20 his breast, but no part of
his body above that was wet.
Lifting the young man up, Mr.. Vienna
tried to place him firmly on the ice, but the
edges crumbled and gave way with every
effort, and it was then apparent that the
case was a very serious one Butler was
very much frightened, and having become
benumbed told his companion that he fear
ed both would have to die Mr.. Vienna en-
deavered to cheer him up as much as pos
siDle, and kept on working with all his
might to save him. For two hours and a
half he held him in his arms, trying to Sc
cure him a firm place on the ice, but it was
too brittle and weak, and continued to
break with every step. Between fifty and
sixty yards were traversed iif this way.
After the lapse of an hour and a half But
Ter became perfectly insensible, and fell into
that state, so similar to sleep, which usually
precedeS dissolution from extreme cold.
Vienna had him in his arms from one-half
to three-quarters of an hour after he had
frozen to death. BY this time Mr. V. him
self had become apathetic and almost par
alyzed.
Mr.. kleinsmidt, who had gone for assist
ance, returning with several persons, was
able, after great exertiou, to get Mr. Vienna
out alive, though unconscious of what was
going on about him. Blankets and mat
tress were procured, and ViennMwas con-
veyed to a tavern called Fish Lake Ex-
change, some distance of, young Butler
having, out of necessity, been abandoned.
Kleinsmidt, after having attended on vi
emma until he had partially recovered, start
ed to this city, and arrived in the evening.
1t was too late to return that night, as the |
ferry boat had ceased running, but a party
went over early in the morning, and the
body of the unfortunate boy was taken out
OF the lake at about o'clock, aud immedi-
ately brought to this city. Mr.. Vienna also
returned with the party. He was consider |
ably bruised about the1egs and his feet and |
hands were frostbitten.
Young Buffers father is now in New Or
leans. His brother is in this city. and re- |
sides at the corner of Wash and Twenty |
second streets.-.St. Louis Republican. |