The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1859-08-18
Awful sunerinss of Pixies Peakers


We are indebted to Rev. ]. Rosenberger for
a copy of The Eoangtlic Messenger, which con
tains the following Editorial correspondence.
Mr.. Rosenberger, in his note accompanying the
article ssy& "The author, Mr.. Snyder, is re.
liable man. one Of our leading men in the
Stbts of Kansas who visited the gold regious
and returned"
DEAR BRo. CLEwELL:-lIsvin made safe my
retreat from Pixies Peak, and having little
leisure, send you the following narrative of
suffering which was given me by one OF the
survivors. believe the whole to be the unvar-
nished truth Many such might be recorded !!
Marteu Harris (my inlormaHt,) Capt ]. Gibbs
RolIm GILES. John Ferry, Andrew Martin, John
Ferry, Henry Rager, Daniel Blue, Charles Blue,
Sandy Blue, Timothy Kaler, John Campbell,
Nat. Nelson, Thomas Stevens, Geo. Solely, and
two others, started together on foot for Pixies
Peak, from Leavenworth City, on the LIST Of
March last Mr. Gibbs as captain and all these
except three, are supposed to be dead
BY mutual consent they agreed to take the
"Smoky Hill Fork Route" new and then un
troddeu way, and TO them, entirely unknown
They, however, with light hearts pushed for.
ward, distance S38 miles and all went well
enough until they got beyond Fort Riley, where
they laid in theig last stock of provisions; their
outfit consisting OF each single blanket 40 lbs.
corn meal, some crackers, salt, and few lbs,
OF dried Buffalo meat. They also had among
them several guns, ammunition, &c, aud dog
distance, ESQ miles. The windings of the
streams must be followed for wood and water.
Their provisions would last at ordinary con
sumption l6 days-giving them 40 miles per
day to travel. They pushed on hunting their
way, in the midst of bad weather, and their
heavy loads and of course their progress was
sow--on the 18th an old Buffalo was killed,
and some Of the meat, though poor, dried. Here
a dispute arose, some OF the company were for
remaining several days longer, to dry all the
meat they could take while others were i'm
patient, and determined to go on. Hence di'
vision of the party was the result nine of them
going on, and eight remaining Among these
was my informant, MIR. Harris, Tim. Kaler Har.
Rager, Rol. Giles, Capt. Gibbs, n. Nelson, a.
Martin, aud Ferry, whose intention was to dry
more OF the Buffalo meat, aud in "a few days
overtake their eager companions; out they ncuer
met again
After drying what meat they desired, these
latter followed on, and for several days hurried,
but d d not overtake them, they went on more
leSurely and for some time found where their lei
low companions ahead had been camping-but|
none of them were seen Exposure, cold rain,
and fatigue were preyng daily upon their
strength. and although they were as saving with
their little provision they could be, by and by
the little store was consumed, and their day
journey was reduced at last to or miles
after four days living on roots, their faithful
dog was killed and eaten--his very blood was
carefully caught and boiled and his scull broken
open and his brains eaten loarm and ralU, by
the starving crea lures This poor dogs meat,
Said my informant, was the most delicious meat
ever ate every vestige of the dog was eaten
except the hair and bones
Fortunately they discovered an esculent root,
something like wild artichoke called pomme-
biosS by the indians, and used by them, was
alterward learned. The taste was sweetsh, and
1t could be eaten raw or roasted, its size about
like mans thumb This rooot, a few wild
onions, and the hoof Of dead buifalos, which the
Indians and wolves had left were all they now
had to live on. These hoots or shanks were
thrown into the fire. the hair singed off and
roasted then the skin and sinews chewed for
the little sustence tsat they contained No
game was to be seen, and their gun was useless,
and, believe, finally thrown away. Still their
slow perilous journey was continued, growing
weaker, aud daily more discouraged! They,
however AT last came to within so miles OF the
head OF tie stream. Here Giles, being so re-
duced. became unable to 90 on. He begged not
TO be left alone to die Here another difficulty
arose among the men some OF them were for
going on without Giles, trying to justify their
course by the idea that they could do him no
good, and by staying they would undoubtedly
all have to perish! To this argument the Others
would not hear, but declared their intention to
remain with Giles at least until he was dead
it he could not recover, even il they all had TO
dle -Four OF the party, among whom was cap
tain Gibbs however, left and with melancholy
farewell went on The remaining were Mr..
Martin Harris, haler, Rager, and the sick man
Giles. These resolved TO get through or perish
together.
The nvigoratng influence ol rest, and the
little kindness their scanty means allowed them
to bestow SO restored Giles that in two and a
half days he was able TO travel, aud they wan
dered on, lingering along a few miles day.
digging roots and looking for something 10 sus-
tain lie, aud hnally they reached the last Tim
Der on the upper branches OF he Smoky Hill
Fork OF the Kansas River. Here they rested
ere they launched into the moerless bleak bar
rem, aud inhospitable prairie which now inter
vened between them and the land of the prom
ised gold, still distant $50 miles
How their hearts must have sunk within them
at this hopeless prospect before them, and the
unknown, trackess, cherries way, without
guide, or food, or shelter, and their strength ex
hausted But they must 60 on To return
seemed impossible 6U0 miles aud more We're
psssed-to stay was To die On the mouows
morning therefore, they mustered up all their
couroge, and N their little council decided toI
make ths attempt to 60 through to the long
wished for CbcIry cie k" Alas Cherry creek
their eyes were never 10 see
III moTnin5 seemed promising, and with a.
gil Gmer oi nope they en- .sled oil ihrlr strength
10 his Ell los' effort " We re but little"
said my informant this whole dsy Each
IL vi.