The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-08-08
Thrilling Adventure.

On Saturday, between 2 and o'clock,
Mai. John B. Steward, who lives on his
farm near the north base Of Stone Mountain,
thought he heard the voice Of Il man in
distress on the steep side of the mountain.
Upon looking UP he saw the head of man,
and saw him waving his hands for succor.
The man called to Maj Stewart for drink
of watcrS and said that he had but little
money. bnthe weull give it all to be taken
from the place nc was. Maj. Steward asked
him if he was not hoaxing him. The man
replied that he was in earnest. Maj. Steward
was gallant wearcr of the gray, and has
heart always open to the cry ofthc distressed.
Cautioning the man to keep quiet. he pro-
cecded at once to town and obtained assist
ance.
The news spread like wildGrc over town,
and every heart ran out in anguish for the
condition of the unfortunate one. These
who went to the rescue made "qnics time"
to Get there. Men were stationed at the
base on the north side to signal the party on
top at what point to descend. 5ys
Securing the rope to cedar tree frmly
embedded between two massive rocks, Col!
!. u. Wilingham and +. Z. P.Juli;In made the
pcrilnus descent to rescue the man. About
three hundred feet from the top of the moun-
tain thcy came to him. lie was lying in q
culch or water course, furrowcd out OF the
rock by rail:s. One foot was jammed in
crcyice, and the other bent under his body.
tJc was hugning the rock closely, while one
hand was graspcd in the strap on tho collar
Of his coat. 4 small tablet Of rock two or
three feet long and foot or so wide, was
all that was between him and fall Of some
twelve hundred feet to the ground. Had he
moved two or thrc" feet either to tho right
or left, he would havy been prcccipltated to
to the bottom, twelve hundred feet: and on.
" 4 horrible mass would have been found to
tell the tale.
lie had lain there from Friday evening
late until Saturday evening about . o'clock,
period of nearly twcnty-four hours. His
anxictics and sufferimgs were intense, 10
doubt. His feet were swollen, laccratcd
and blstcred by the hot rocks; the san pour
cd upon him its fcrccst rays, causing the
most cxcrnciating thirst and producing al
most entire blindness. Death seemed to
stare him in the face Oil ali sid. Return
without friendly aid he could not. lie was
afraid to move either to the right or to the
left, Or get up, for that terrible fall was be-
meath him. Without succcr he must die
lingering, torturing death ofthirst and siar-
vation.
In adjusting the rope several rocks were
in the way, and fearing the rope mig ht dis
lodge them and bring them down on the un-
fortunate man, they were removed and
thrown off in stch direction as not to strike
on the spot occupied by the man. With Il
crashing noise they relied to The brow ot
the prccipicc: ona line with Kim, and then
nlunrcd down that terrible distance, burylnS
themselves in the earth al its basc.
Reaching the place, the roqpe WAS tied
around the man, and, assisted by Col. 1. ID.
Willinrham, he was conducted 10 apla lace Of
safety and Mr.. Wllin@ham returned then
and assisted Mr. Julian ta get back, tron
reaching the summit the rescued man was
50 thirsty that he would have cniptisd i
buckct of water at one or two dran@hts had
he been suffered to do 50. lie was carried
to Col. Willinghams store and cared f3r.
Much praise is due to Maj. Stewart, Col.
Willinrham, and L. p. Julian, for their
trustworthy and humane cl!"rt.
On Friday evening the ,man alluded to.
renutcd to be Mr.. McCarty of Will Rica,
Carroll County: went on the top of Stone
Mountain, taking with him n bottle of
whisky. lie drank rather freely, and, per,
haps, was lish. headed. lie started down
in search of the ''dcvil's crossroads" apd
finding thc descent becoming abrupt h,
/ pulled olf his hoots. Hc had net gore f;'l
when lie rcvailccts falling aid scrambIin%
His boots were found hy Master ,Georg,
I..nns with an rinntY bltt!e at the flot of;