The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-11-09
The Mont Blanc Tragedy-Recovery Of
the Bodies of the Lost Travellers
Farewets Letter of Dr. Beane, or Hal

A correspondent ofthe Boston Transcript,
writing from Switzerland, October 18th,
gives some affecting particulars Of the search
for the remains OF the unfortunate travel
lers, Rev. Mr.. cCorkendale, Of Scotland,
Mr.. Randall, of. Quincy, Mass, and Doctor
Beane, Of Baltimore, who were lost amidst
the SHOWS OF the summit of Mt. Blanc. The
bodies Of Mr.. McCorkendaIe and DR.. Beane
were discovered on September Is. Twenty
two guides went up to make the search, and
these were reinforced by others. Nineteen
guides descended the mountains with the
recovered bodies, and the strange procession
could be plainly seen by the watchers and
villagers below as the descent was made.
the body of Mr.. Randall, which had not
been found ut The date Of this letter. The
writer says: ,....... -.
The bodies proved too brittle to undreSs,
and were inferred in the same clothing in
which they made the ascent. DIR. Beanie was
found in q sitting posture, his forehead
resting on his hands. He was somewhat
protected byan unfallen projection Of snow.
Mr.. McCorkendale, sitting also, alpen stock
in hand, passed into his frozen sleep with
the calm lines Of quiet peacefulness made
enduring while his spirit foated restfully
on to bright awakening. Now come to
OF which | first heard last evening. Simple
and manly as it is, somewhat OF its plain
force and direetness has been undoubtedly
lost by translating it into French. / shall
send to Geneva for an English copy, if, MI:
Upton, our American Consul, saved one
before forwarding the original to Baltimore.
. DR.. Deune's Lctter.-"Tuesday 9th Sep
tember-I have made the ascension OF Mont
Blanc with ten other persons, eight guides.
Mr.. McCorkendale and Mr.. Randall. We
reached the summit at 2H O'Clock. Inme-
diately after having quilted it found my
self enyeloped in a whirlwind of snow at
il, 600 feet English height. We have passed
the night in a grotto dug in the snow-an
uncomfortable asylum-and / have been ill
all the night.
"7th september, morning. very in
tense. Much snow; it falls without cessa-
ton. The guides are uneasy. "iy-2 s.ss.
"7th September, evening.-We have been
on Mont Blanc for two days in terrible
snow storm. We are-lost. We are in II
grotto dug in the snow, at height of IL, 900
feet.
Il have no hope of descending. Perhaps
some one Will find this book and will send
it to you." (Then follow directions relative
to his private affairs.) "We have no pro-
visions. My feet are already frozen, and l
am entirely exhausted. / have only strength
to write these words. | die believing in
Jesus Christ, with the sweet thought Of my
family, my friendships, and ALL / hope
that we shall meet i'll Heaven. Yours al
ways.
my effects are partly at the Hotel du
Mont Blanc; part are with me in two
portmanteals. Send them by post to the
iiotcl SchwietZernhoff at Geneva. Pay my
bills at the hotel. Heaven will reward you
for your kindness" ...,
1'hen follow more instructions to his fam
ilv then a sudden close, as if strength
failed and he bowed his head submiSSivcly
to meet the great struggle, clearly accept
ing the lonely gateway through that to tue
Place Beyond. | am grateful for the ''little
Beckie" and other beloved ones in Balti-
more. that they have not only the white
cross referred to in my first letter, but these
last calm words of maEy and protecting
love.
But it pulls hard at our heart-strings to
know that DR.. Beanc and Mr.. Randall were
still alive during so many of these slow
moving hours, while we, countrvmen, and
towns people. reStlessly paced those mar
row ChamouniX steeets, and sped on that
brave band of departing guides. While
our eyes ever yearningly turned toward
those yelled heights" night and storm and
darkness shut down and hopeleSsly hid
ti1r dying from any chance OF mortal rescue.