The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1859-08-18

aud III silence they weatily en- lsteSsly wan
dered on. could scarcely thiuk or feel" said
he, $50 reduced was my system. A ldnguid
drowsiness seemed to weigh me DOWN. They
stopped early aud at hill side where a little
shelter was offered, they wrapped themselves iu
their blankets, aud without fire or iOud, (save a
few roots,) they laid down TO test-iew words
were spoken, none OF complaint each soemed
to hold converse with loved ones in the sweet
homes they had left behind! A dark cloud was
lowering in the sky, aud Increased the gloom of
this cheerless solitude Their weary limbs soon
found sweet repose in slumber hut ere mid
night, the storm like IL emon in the air, was
bowling, aud pouring with relentless fury its
icy flakes III the unshelered bosoms of the per-
ishng wanderers! At length morning came,
but 1t brought no hope. The winds blew fu
riously, and the driving snow darkened the roar
ing atmosphere. The sufferers arose, chilled,
numb and in despair! To return to the timber
for fire and shelter now was the last hope! But
the heavens seemed hung in darkness, and the
piercing winds seemed TO preclude even this
attempt--but there was no ulternstive--and
they commenced their 10 some) last days
mnrck
They went about mile, aud piercing blasts
from the north so numbed the feeble frame of
Giles that he staggered along aud at last iell,
crying and preying. His comrades helped him
up and assisted him but he said he could 90 no
further that he ould now have to die The
icy hand of death was upon him, aud he fell to
rise no more They wrspped him close into his
blanket. and gave him good bye '--and with
sorrowlul hearts went on ! " In Il few moments
said Harris, all was still, his last sigh was
heaved, his last prayer uttered, his blood was
'rozen TO its fountain They went on, scarcely
Knowing whittier they were going, and they had
scarce gone three-iourths of u mile further, til.
kaer also began TO lag behind and stagger,
weeping and praying. He too soon fell into
the snow exhausted. They raised him up, aud
led him aoug but he frequently fell into the
snow, aud every moment convinced him, aud
them, that he must ireeza. Kaer did not want
to dle,and begged them not to leave him. But"
says Harris, " We We're all growing blind, and
knew that to stop was to freeze too. We told
kaler SO, and he seemed to realize the truth and
resigned to his fate, They then raped him in
his blanket, as they did Giles, aud started on, if
possible TO reach the timber. They had gone
but a short distance when Kaler called them
Rager who was behind went back to him. He
told Rager that he had u paper in his pocket,
which he wished him TO take, and If he ever got
" through" to write letter to his sister and
send it, letting her know, how and where he
died. Rager promised, and again wrapped him
up i'll his blanket winding sheet, aud bidding
hlm farewell again started on. Soon all was
silent in that sepulcher OF snow which soon
covered up the slftned remains of poor Timo-
thy Kaler.
The two remaining now went on, looking
vainly thro' the storm for the timber which they
prnyerfuly sought. But night came on and no
friendly timber appeared. Not knowing where
they we're going, they halted early, and again
with little food, and no fire, they wrapped them
selves into their blankets to obtain little rest
for their weary limbs. That night they both
irozs their feet, My legs ratified like sticks
in the morning" sand Harris TO me, but we
crawled along tue best way we could.'* Had
they obtained fire in the morning. no doubt
their feet and legs would have been entirely
ruined, but walking, and that in the snow all
day, saved them. AT night they saw TIMBER
A moment their hearts were elated, but alas
when they attempted to make fire their matches
had became damp and none Of the few they had
took fire, and another night they were obliged
to lie in the snow without fire Two days
longer they wearied along the timber returning
down the stream, ct about to 6 miles day,
sleeping next night in the fork Of large fallen
tree which, said Harris, seemed quite comforta-
BILE, In the afternoon OF the fourth day they
saw two men on the prairie " Tears came 10
my eyes," said Harris when saw them, Was
so glad" These men gave them matches, telling
them their teams were coming on behind, and
would give them assistance. Joylully they went
on down the stream, expecting to met the
teams. Night came, and no sign nor sound of
team or deliverance. They came to an old
Indian camp, and here they put up and made
good fire after getting warm from the fire,
Roger got SO weak that in the morning he could
not 60 on. Here they stayed, waiting for help
but the team took the other branch aud passed
them miles north this, however, they did not
then know, and waited seven days, living on
roots and buffalo hoofs. Harris now told Rager
that he must leave him and Try TO get help, but
to this Roger would not agree, begging him TO
wait day longer, and perhaps he would thea
be able to 80 with him. " stayed two days
longer, said Harris to me. " but Roger could
scarcely be up at all ! knew unless | could
get help soon, both Of us would have to die"
Rager begged Harris to stay until he was dead,
and then he could eat his flesh, if he could, as
he would sooner have him (Harris) eat him,
than the wolves, especially it it would save his
life. He constantly lamented about his poor
mother and sister in Cincinnati, and wished
Harris to preserve lock Of his hair and if he ever
got home again, TO send or take it TO them, let
ting them know Of his miserable death. He
prayed much, and at last was willing to let Har-
ris 80 for assistance, telling him that il he found
help within five days, to come back, as he
thought he might yet live that long. II irrs
promised him, dug him roots, &c, bade him
good bye" and lelt him weeping and crying
NNil pliWIll' ANO WOiloSl tub ppOI SuUl lClt tuC
awful reality Of his forIorn and helpless situation.
To be left alone, sick, among the wild beasts,
without food or friend, aud the last human
being known leaving forever, seems the very
height OF anguish aud despair, and no wonder,
indeed, il his wall of woe ascended TO the very
heavens in this the moment Of the greatest
earthly calamity conceivable.
Harris started. Rager lsmenting piteously.
could hear him. said Harris, "until | was
quite out of hearing distance" Who Can con-
eeive the utter loneliness that must have come
over that forsaken sonl, when the awful silence
of this dismal desert fell upon his despsiring
heart, like the dark curtains OF the chambers OF
death. But we trust that in that dreadful hour
he elt the presence of Him who will never for
aske those who trust in Him.
Harris went on east, living on roots, and the
fnurth dav Le rn.t t,vn t..,ns rha Zoo nf ,his