Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-03-02

the doctor, who, feeling some anxiety, IN con-
sequence of the symptoms OF apoplexy mani
tested, had remained with her during the
greater part Of the evening, requested that
another physician be called for the purpose
Of having a consultation.
Nothing, however, could be done, and she
expired at about seven O'Clock this morning,
without having shown any sign of returning
consciousness or Of suffering .--Irareler, 2lSt.
From the ST. Paul Minnesotian and Times, Feb. 10
A TERRIBLE WINTERS JOURNEY.
LOST AND FROZEN TO DEATH on THE OPEN
PRAIRIE.
Mr.. Anthony, one of the party who was
lost on the prairie, and whose sufferings are
depicted below by the editor of the Nor
Westr, published at the Red River Settle
ment, called upon Us yesterday. The follow
ing account is taken from the Nor WeSter,
the second number Of which lies before us
Never have we met with a more sad and
melancholy narrative than that which it is
our painful duty this week to recount The
boiler of the Arson Northrup not being
in a fit state to commence work in the spring
the Messrs. Burbank, of st. Paul, resolved to
send over 70 Fort Gerry during the winter,
a component person to examine it it was
accordingly arranged that he should 90 to
Georgetown. a newly formed station at the
mouth of Buffilo river, about 200 miles from
here, and that Gov Mactavish should des-
patch party thither to bring him on to the
Settlement. The engineer, 1t would seem,
had arrived at Georgetown somewhat sooner
than the date fixed upon, and having waited
there few days he grew inpatient at the
delay, and requested to be sent on. Mr.
Mackenzie, the young gentleman in charge
of the station, DELAYED a while longer, and
then started with two others besides the en-
gineer, making the grave mistake Of taking
mules instead of dogs None Of them had
travelled the route before, and, of course,
could not possess correct knowledge Of the
road and distance.
Mr. Mackenzie sand it was five or six days
Journey, and provided supplies accordingly.
On Friday, Dee ., thev started goidg
eastward, in order to fall IN with the trail
from Crow Wing. They had not been out
longer than two or three DAYS when the mules
began to give up They then felt that they
could not reach their destination in the time
anticipated: and, what was worse that their
provisions would fail them. 4 feeling of
ncipient despair came over them. Here they
were hopeless. in the heart of vast 3'eaIy'
unknown urairie, in d cold week OF the bleak
month of December, far beyond the reach Of
all sympathy and aid with starvation staring
them in the fce-their condition was one OF
Desperation. On Thursday, the 29th, Mr..
Mackenzie resolved to start ahead and try,
bv a bold effort. to reach Pembina, and send
hack succor to his companions The engineer
accompanied him The day was cold and
stormy, and bitter blast from the north
drifted the snow in their faces. and drove
them back They all camped together that
night near Pine river, about fifty miles from
Pembina. In the morning the brave hearted
Mackenzie started again-started never to
return. and, alas never to reach his destin-
alton.
This time he went alone. He seemed to
have a presentiment that he would not get
through, and ne made David TAFT, the man
who had been with him at Georgetown, a
present of his gun, in case that he had no
further need oft He wore but one thin
coat. and was lightly clad throughout wish
ing to be as little burdened with clothes as
possible, as he intended to run most of the
wav. A bit of pemican, the size of his fist.
was all the food the party could supply. He
put that in his pocket provided himself with
matches, and shook hands once more. 1t
was last and sad farewell Had he reached
Pembina in due time, his companions would
have received assistance on Saturday night
OF Sunday morning. Sunday morning
passed, however, and Sunday night, too
without bringing any help. Their worst
forebOdings were now confirmed, and the
feeling of painful suspense gave way TO feel
ing of desperation. On Monday morning
David TAFT pushed ahead, and by great exer-
ton he succeeded in reaching Pembina the
same evening. A brief inquiry confirmed
his worst apprehensions-Mr Mackenzie hac
not been there.
Mr. Rolette at once provided two men with
every requisite and sent them away. Tai
accompanying them, they fell in with The
remnant Of the party shortly after midnight
on Tuesday, and after supplying their urgent
needs, they went off in search of the ill-fatec
! NJ ckenzie. hey sought him in vain al
that day and night, on Wednesday they cam,
upon traces which brought them to his corpse
| After leaving his companions, he seems tC
! have followed the trail for a considerable dis
tance. and then to have lost his way. Nigh
came upon him, and bewildered by the grow
ing darkness and drifting snow, he made TO
wards clump of trees, with the intention
| probably, of kindling fire. If such wa'
hls object, he seems to have been unable tC
accomplish it: and his beaten track show,
that to keep himself from freezing, he haC
spent the hours of that lonesome night r
running round circle With the break o.
day, he started again across the trackles
waste. every step that he took carving bin
further and further from the spot which ht
was straining every nerve to reach. Another
weary day of fruitless travel was followed by
second night more dreary even than tn,
first. Again he had managei to stave Of
what he must have felt to have been the hou
of his dissolution by long hours of ceaseles
activity. A third days journey brought hin
towards Lac des R0seaux. Here he attemptet
to run round as before. But the strength
and courage which had heretofore sustained
him, now forsook him.
He dragged his tired footsteps through tn
loose snow towards a tree, from which h
plucked branch and hung thereon a shre(
of his tattered coat as a signal to mark hi
dismal resting place he next tore off anoth
er branch of the same tree, which he placed
as pillow for his cold bed, and then lai'
upon it his weary head and died. Thepower
ful body and determined spirit which had s
long braved the merciless storm, in spite o
hunger and fatigue had at last to succumb
His right hand was on his heart, and hi
left hung by his side, firmly holding com
pass The body gave indications of havin
undergone intense suffering. Some portion
of it had been frozen and thawed man
times in succession, before death intervene
aud released it from further anguish
Meanwhile, James Mckay had been dis
patched to Georgetown, to bring on the en-