Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1873-01-20
SAVED BY A DOG.

On the 18th day of last December,
man named Andrew Peters left his home
in Canada, and came West in search of
work. Upon arriving in Omaha he
proceeded to Plumb Greek, on the line
of the Union Pacific Railroad, and upon
reaching that place he wished to 90 to
the farm of a man living eight miles from
the village. Not being acquainted with
the country he inquired the way, and
was directed to go across the creek, and
follow certain line On the 24th day
of December he started on his short Jour
ney, having but little idea that in so
short distance he would stare death in
the face. After proceeding about four
miles he made the alarming discovery
that he had lost his way in the binding,
drifting snow. which had swept away all
traces of the road and all the landmarks
upon which he depended, the wind hav-
ing risen after he set out from Plum
Creek. What to do he did not know.
There he was in the midst of a dreary
waste, with no house or place of shelter
in view, and yet he knew that he was
not more than four miles from his start
ing place. Then his wanderings began,
he hoping all the TIME that he might &C
cidentally observe some friendly habita-
tion where he could gain shelter and in
formation But alas as each hour pas
sed his hope failed, and hunger, against
which he had not thought it necessary
to provide, increased, and at the same
time he suffered terribly from the cold
Each minute seemed to him an hour, and
each hour day, as he continued his
fruitless walk, which he was obliged to
keep up in order to prevent his freezing
to death. Three days and three nights
he thus wandered about, without food,
without rest. and with but poor protec-
ton against the biting cold and the
piercing winds.
At last, hope, which is said never to
leave the human breast while life re-
mains, entirely deserted him, and he lay
down on the snow and prayed to God
Almighty that help might come. as he
was completely exhausted. He soon
sank into insensibility, and remained in
that state he don't know how long but
it could not have been any great length
of time, for he was aroused from his in
sensibility by something that seemed to
warm him up, and upon opening his
eyes, he discovered large Newfound-
land dog licking his face and his hands.
In an instant hope returned to him, and
gathering all his energies, he made an
effort to get upon his hands and knees,
and succeeded. The dog then commenc-
ed jumping around him in playful
manner, and set up a joyful barking,
and then made short run as if to indi-
cate to Peters, that if he would follow
him, he would lead him to a place OF
safety. Peters began following the dog,
sometimes upon his hands and knees,
and at other times at hobbling gait
After proceeding half mile, he dlscov.
cred sure enough a farm house in the
distance, which he finally reached. He
was taken in by the farmer and his son.
and briefly telling his story, he received
their kindest attentions They pulled
off his boots, and as they did so, portion;
of the flesh of his feet, which were frozer
came off with them. His first and thirc
fingers, thumb, and palm of his righr
hand, and his left ear were also terribly
frozen The farmer and his son gave
him all the assistance in their power
but there was no doctor at hand anC
consequently they could not do much
The farmers son bought Peters boots
r as he had no further use for them, anC
then brought him to Plum Greek, h,
having determined to return home. HI
had but little money, but with the sun
| realized from the sale of his boots, ant
other little sums collected for him, ant
! with supply of provisions given him b.
: the inhabitants of Plum Creek and tn
passengers, he managed to reach thi
city yesterday on the Union Pacific trail
for the West, after having suffered IN
i told agonies. On his arrival here hi
; case was mentioned to Capt Payne, an,
he at once furnished him quarters at tn
Emigrant House where he now is, bu
from which he will probably be taken t
Mercy Hospital, as it it not likely tina
5 he can survive. Peters himself think
he cannot live His home is in Canad;
: not far from Detroit, and he has viii
and two children, and also brother 8
Ii Grand Junction, near Detroit He is Ell
: tirely penniless, and wishes to go to hi
/ home and die there, if die he must. Th
= story of his wanderings, his suffering
e from hunger and cold, his dropping int
o insensibility, and his rescue by the do
+ as thrillingly told by himself-was
/ most interesting narrative, and one tn;
j. at times would make the very blood
d the listener run cold Omaha Bee.
SHIFTLEss SYsTEMs.-The New You
TRIBUNE says: The losses which mo
E. reduce the farmers profits are tho