Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-14
A SAD CASE.
Terrible Suffering OF an Emigrant
FamiIy-Three Children Frozen to
ON the Omaha Bee, Feb. 5.

From the Omaha Bee, Feb. g.
One of the saddest cases we ever heard
| of came to our notice yesterday, and we
! give it to our readers as it was given to US.
| About five weeks since Mr.. Henry Bur-
! dette and family started from small town
in the lower part Of Illinois to come to this
State, intending to locate on the Saline
river, where brother of Mr.. Burdette had
already pre-empted a homestead. The
family were in destitute circumstances,
possessing only the outfit with which
they started, and barely enough to
cover their bodies and keep them
warm in good weather. It seems
that neither he nor his wife had any idea of
1 the difficulties they must encounter in a
trip such as they had undertaken in mid
winter, else, as Mr.. Burdette expressed it,
they would have fought poverty at home
till spring and then started. Everything
went well until they got upon the prairies
Of Iowa, when their money gave out, and
they were forced to rely upon the charities
Of the citizens of that State VIII lived along
the route they had taken. The extreme
cold weather of couple of weeks ago
forced them to stop and sheek shelter in the
house of sympatbising farmer, and though
they were advised to remain until the
weather had moderated, they concluded to
COON.
That night terrible storm arose, and so
binding was the snow and so fierce the
wind that the emaciated horses refused to
proceed, and it became necessary to stop
where they were, some miles from any hui
man habitation. Besides Mr.. and Mrs.
Burdette there were five children, ranging
in age from six months to eleven years and
there was nothing to protect them from the
cold but couple Of pairs of blankets and
the wagon cover. The suffering that night
was terrible. By dint of great exertion the
children were kept from freezing, though
their hands and feet were frost bitten.
The next morning the storm had
not abated, and it was determined
that Mr.. Burdette should take one of the
horses and ride on for food and clothing, as
the only means to save the lives Of his
family. Not being acquainted with the
road, he soon lost himself, and for hours
wandered about, as it was afterwards ascer-
tanned, in a circle. About dark the snow
ceased falling, and taking new courage, he
turned the now exhausted horse loose, and
started on fSot towards column of smoke
he saw in the distance. After walking an
hour he came to house Of a farmer, and
there procured assistance for his family.
The farmer hitched up his team, and with
a good supply Of blankets and provisions
started with Mr.. Bmdette to find the suf-
ferers.
All that night they drove, first in one and
then in another direction, Mr.. B. having
no distinct idea where he had left his wag-
on. The next morning, as they we're about
to give up in despair, the neighing Of
horse directed them to the spot. What
terrible sight met their eyes is best told by
Mr.. Burdette in the following language : !
"My Oldest boy, my only girl, and the baby
lay under the quilt frozen stiff; while my
wife was just succumbing to the cold. She
had given up ever seeing me again, suppOs-
ing that had been frozen. The other two
children had suffered SO from the frost that
for days we did not expect them to live.
The wagon was half full of snow,
though my wife had done everything to
keep it out, even to the pinning of her apron
against the front. She SAYS that soon after
l left the children began crying and COM
planning of the Land she laid them down
side by side and wrapped them up in every
bit Of clothing at her disposal. The baby
weS5 to sleep directly, but the others slept
none until near morning. She found if
necessary to rub her limbs continually, but
exhaustion from continued labor and want
of food ensued, and she laid down to die"
1t is very probable that the little one froze
almost Immediately, and the others during
the night.
The whole were put in the sleigh and
driven to the home of the farmer, where
everything was done to make them COM
Portable. They remained there a week,
and then started on with a full supply of
provisions and clothing. The family ar
rived here yesterday, and stopped at the
Howard House until this morning, when
they resumed their journey. Mrs. Bur-
dette is not able to walk, and the feet ofthe
now oldest boy are in a bad condition.
While they were here DR.. Tenant at
tended them, and did all in his power to
ameliorate their suferings. Jimmy Van
Deniker, the proprietor of the Howard
House, also should be named in this con-
nection for his nOble-heartedness in placing
his house at the disposal of the family.