Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-05
5.
Miseellat1fons.
AN EXPERIENCE OF A COLORADO WINTER
STORM.

Tuesday, the 23d of January 1872, will
long be remembered by the people of
northern Colorado. Snow covered the
ground, yet the weather was pleasant
On the afternoon of this day, Jeremiah
Fisk left the Higley coal mine with load
OF coal for his home in Greeley. The dis
tance is IA miles. Two teams had gone
before him, and others were on their way
to the mine. Soon the storm came on
with the roar of an avalanche. The
horses rushed forward in terror, and a
second later they were in darkness, and
the storm was sweeping over them with
| resistless fury. Snow. finer than the finest
hour, filled the air so that it was impossi-
Bile to see hundred feet in any direction.
Fisk wrapped buffalo robe around his
neck and urged the trembling horses on,
but they could not keep the road, and in
short time the plain was as trackless as
the sea. The horses were unhitched, and
for short time Fisk led them, but he was
obliged to leave them and push on be.
fore the wind. The storm increased in
violence every moment, and it soon be-
came dark and intensely cold. In many
places the snow was deep, and more than
twenty times the strong man was hurled
into the drifts. so terrible was the storm.
| BY O'Clock the mercury stood at 10 de-
grees below zero. The storm blew from
all points of the compass, and penetrated
every stitch Of his clothing that was not
protected by the buffalo robe. His
strength was failing rapidly, and the cold
Increasing with the fury OF the storm. All
his garments were frozen stiff, and his
eyelashes coated with ice. He managed
to walk an hour longer, when a dizziness
na mo h 11J A.
storm. Then he began digging hole in
the deepest drift he could find. 1t was
like digging his own grave, for he knew
not how soon he might sink with exhaus-
tion. After working long time the
ground was reached, and then drawing
the robe over his head, he waited for the
snow to bury him. The wind did its work
well, and in an hour eighteen inches of
snow covered his roof of fur. Burning
pains shot through his swollen limbs, and
his legs cramped as if on the rack, and f.
nally something like nettles prickled in his
boots. Then he knew that his feet were
freezing. He kept his muscles moving,
and he did so long after his toes were fro
zen stiff. Hour after hour he fought with
death, while snowy pillows were rolling
above his head. At daylight he crawled
out. Houses were near. Then he drag
ged his frozen limbs toward the limits Of
the town. After walking an hour he
reached Cooper's rancho-the summer
residence of our town clerk-and pushed
in the back door. Some matches, piece
of candle and an old broad-axe were
found. Then he melted snow in a pail
and thawed his frozen feet He also found
dry clothing and pair of cavalry boots.
Although completely exhausted, he start
ed for Greeley. distance of two miles.
The mercury was IS degrees below zero,
and it took him an hour to walk single
mile. The houses seemed to spin around
as he passed them. At last he reached his
fathers gate and staggered through to the
door Then there was rush and scream,
and the next instant black and, bloated
face was lying on woman's breast
Greeley (Col.) Tribune.