The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1872-08-08
Thrilling Adventure.

| On last Saturday, between two and
three O'Clock, Major John B Stew
ard, who lives on his farm near the
north base of Stone mountain, thou I
he heard the voice of a man in dis
trcss on the steep side Of the noun
tain. Upon locking up he saw the
head of u man, and saw him waving
his hands for succor. The man called
to Major Steward !or drink of water,
and said that he had but little mon
cy, hut hc would give it all 10 be ta.
ken from tho place he was. Major
Steward asked him if he was not
hoaxiUg him ? The mau replied that
he was i'll earnest. Major Steward
was n gallant wearor OF the gray, aud
has heart always open TO the cry of
the distressed. Cau,ioning the man
to keep quiet, he proceeded at once to
town and obtained assistance.
The news spread like " I'D fire over
town, and every heart rau out in au
guish for the condition Of the unfortu.
rate one. Those who went to the
rescue made quick time' to get
there. Men were stationed at the
base on tho north side to signal the
party on top AT what point to descend
Securing the rope 10 a cedar tree
firmly Embedded between two massive
rocks, Colonel j I. WiIingham and
+. J.. Julian maic the periIous de
scent TO rescue the man. Abont three
hundred feet from tho top Of ,hc
mountain they came to him. llo
was lying IN gulch, or water, course,
furrowed out of the rock by rains.
One foot was jammed in u crevicc,
and the other bent under the body
lle was hugging the rocks closely,
while one hand was grasped in the
strap on the collar OF his coat. A
small tablet OF rock, two or throc feet
loug, aud foot or so wide, was all
that was between him and fall of
some twelve hundred feet to the
ground. Had no moved two or
feet, either to tho right or lett, he
would have been preciptated to the
bottom, twelve hundred feet, and only
Il horrible mass would have been
found to tell the tale.
lie had lain ,horo from Friday
evening late until Saturday evening
abou, 5 O'Clock, q period Of nearly
twenty-four hours. His anXie,ies
and suderings we're intense no doubt.
His feet were swollen, lacerated and
blistcred by the hot rocks the sun
poured upon him its licrcest rays, eau
sing the most excruciating thirst and
producing almost entire blindness.
Death seemed to stare him in the
face ON all sides. Return without
friendly aid ho could not. lie was
afraid to move to the right or to the
left, or got up, for that terrible fall
was beneath him. Without sucoor
he must die a lingering, torturing
death of thirst and starvation.
In adjusting the rope several rocks
were in the way, and fearing that the
rope might dislodgo them and bring
them down on the unfortunate man,
they were removed aud thrown OFT in
such direction IA not to strike o.
the spot occupied by tho man. With
q crashing noise they rolled to the
brow Of the precipice, on lios With
him. and then plugged down that Ter
rible distance, burying themselves 10
The earth at tho base.
Reaching the place, tho rope was
tied around the man, and assisted by
Colonel 7. ID. Willinghsm no was
conducted to a place of safety, and
Mr. williogham returned then and
assisted Mr.. Julian TO get back Up
IN reaching the summit tho rescued
~an was SO thirsty tina, he would have
empticd a bucket Of water at one or
Two droughts had he been suffered 70
10 30. He was carried to Colonel
store and cared for.
Much praise is due to Major Stewart,
Il vNsll.A .pA NJ ~ ID