The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1867-04-11


A Fearful Story---Buried in the Snow
Truth Stranger than Fiction.
We take the following from an Iowa pa
per. As some of the parties were formerly
residents Of this county and known to many
of our readers, the story will possess more
than ordinary interest. Though strictly
and literally true, we might search the pa
ges of fiction in vain for a tale Of more
thrilling adventure. ED, TELEGRAPH
The age of miracles surely has not passed.
The past few days have been franght with
as much of the fearful, Of anxiety, hope and
thankfulnees to our people, as seldom falls
to the lot Of a community. The storm OF
Tuesday night aud Wednesday will long be
remembered as one Of the utmost severity,
and the subioiued narrative Of exposure and
suffering partakes SO much Of the marvellous
that in its contemplation the mind is be-
wildered and we are compelled to ackuowl-
edge it as one of those ''interpOsitions' sent
to teach us how wonderful are His ways
who ''narks even the fall of sparrow"
On Tuesday afternoon, 18th inst, Mr.. E..
T. Runnion Of our town visited Jackson =
vile, eight miles distant on business,
and returning called at the residence of w.
E. Beach, QUO mile this sde to see his
daughter-Mrs T. B. Weed. After supper
Mrs. w resolved to accompany her father
home and hastily clad herself for the pur-
pose. Leaving Mr.. Weed i'll the house, IA
ther and daughter proceeded to where the
horses had been tied to find them gone, but
yet in sight. Pursuing the team for some
distance and finding it impossible to over
take it, Mr. Runnion implored his daughter
to return while he would make his way
home alone. This she would not consent
to do, feeling quite able to perform the
Journey, unless he should accompany her
and remain for the night. This was be-
tween seven and eight o'clock. The wealth
er was then comparatively mild-with no
wind and light snow falling They pur
sued their journey for a while without diff
Guilty, but the night being quite dark and
the snow having obliterated the track, they
lost the road, bearing 20 the south on the
uninhabted prairie. Both were conscious
that they were lost, yet neither bTeathed it
to the other. During the long hours from
their departure from Mr. Beach's house un-
til IL o'clock the storm-king had been gath
eriDg his strength, which now burst forth
in such fearful fury from the northwest that
it would seem impossible that any mere
mortal could brave it and live. Benumbed,
lost upon the trackless waste, their steps
followed by pack Of prairie wolves whose
quick sharp bark frequently rose above the
bowling wind-their thoughts cannot be
portrayed, each having full consciousness
Of their great peril, yet conCeaing it, and
encouraging each other At last, exhausted
nature could do no more, both were tired
out, and saw the folly Of further contest
with the storm until the day should dawn,
and lay down beneath a snow drift TO watch
for daylight Mrs. Weed wore beaver
hood, had cloud or scarf about er neck,
a shawl, and a blanket which she had
thrown OH her arm when leaving the house
The rude winds sweeping furiously above
them, the binding drifting SNOW, the howl
ing Of the wolves the suffering from cold, |
the thoughts Of friends beloved, of death,
all heightened picture which can never be
erased from their memories! The dawn
came. and with it the fury of the storm in.
creased Mr.. Runnion knew himself to be
on Plum creek, and resolved to strike for
the nearest house-some two miles distant,
but Mrs Weed was so chilled that she could
not walk, ard after being carried some
thirty or forty rods she begged her father to
leave her and seek assistance. They sat
down and calmly talked the matter over
yet she was freezing all the while To leave
his child thus was bitter thought; but
what will not parent do to save bis cher
ished idol Knowing that she must perish,
and that speedily unless succor came, he
sought place to leave her: breaking the
ice as he supposed Of little bayou, from
which the water had receded, and making
cavity of some two feet In depth and of
sufficient length, he laid her in it, wrapping
tie blanket and shawl around her, and the
scarf about her face They kissed and part
ed. Then covering her with snow, marking
the spot as best he could, with heavy heart
and sad last look at the spot where lay
his treasure, be made his way down the
creek to the New Hampton and Waucoma
road, thence to the house of MIR. Utley about
a mile from town, arriving there near s
o'clock a. m wednesday, exhausted with
hands and face frozen, and nearly frantic
His story was soon told; and, although the
storm was raging fearfully, and the hope OF
finding the poor girl, some three miles dis
tant on the bleak PRAIRIE seemed Ii BE hop
ing against hope, the call Of hottest nature
did not plead in vain. Quickly a team was
harnessed and Mr.. Gilbert Vincent and Mr..
NJ. M. Utley with Mr. Runnion started for
the rescue, finding the place where the par
ty had laid beneath the drift during the
night, they searched in vain until about 8
p. M, passing almost directly over the spot
where she lay; finding the search vain and
Mr. Runnion fast failing from exposure and
exhaustion, with heavy hearts the party re-
turned at evening. MIR. Runnion was taken
to the house Of Mr., Utley, where both Mr..
and Mrs. Utley were assidious in admins
tering to his comfort, the storm ragin g
too fearfuliy and his system too much shat
tered to think of bringing him home that
night.
Thursday morning the storm had abated,
the sun shoue clear and bright over the
driven snow; the mercury had fallen from
Ii the day before to rs below zero. MIR.
Ruunion was brought home by Mr.. Utley
and his fearful story flew from house to
house; brave hearts and willing hands were
not wanting. Several sleigh loads of men,
accompanied by DIR. Mixer, who was care
full to have restoratives, were swiftly on
the search. Oh, such vibrations Of the heart
between hope and fear as were visible on
every face! Hope that she might be found
alive, and fear that such hope was van.-
The party reached the supposed locality
where Mrs. Weed was left by her father and
the search commenced Passing on either
side of the creek, noting every track aud
mark and tWig Owe had forgot to state
that Mr. r. had broken off some small will