Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-01-23

On the 18th day of last December. a
man named Andrew Peters lefthis home
in Canada and came west in search of
work Upon arriving in Omaha he pro-
ceeded to Plum Greek, on the line of the
Union Pacific railroad, and upon reach
ing 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 90 across the creek. and
follow a certain line On the oath day
Of December he started on his short jour
ney. having but little idea that in so
short a distance he would stare death in
the face. After proceeding about four
miles he made the alarming discovery
that he had suddenly 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 having risen after he had set
out from Plum Greek. 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 starting place. Then his
warnings began, he hoping all the time
that he might accidentally observe some
friendly habitation where he could gain
shelter and information. But alas as
each hour passed his hope failed, and
hunger, against which he had not
thought it necessary to provide, inCreas-
ed, and at the same time he suffered ter
ribly from the cold. Each minute SEEM
ed 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 tnus wandered
about without coOd, without rest, and
with nut poor protection 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 upon 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 couldn't have been any great length of
time, for he was aroused from his insen-
sibility by something that seemed to
warm him up, and upon opening his eyes,
he discovered a large Newfoundland dog
licking his face and his hands. In an
instant hope returned to him, and gath
ering all his energies, he made an effort
to get upon his hands and knees, and
succeeded. The dog then commenced
jumping around him in playful man
ner, and set up a joyful barking, and
then made short run as if to indicate
to Peters, that if he would follow him,
he would lead him to place of safety.
Peters began following the dog, some
times upon his hands and knees, and at
other times at hobbling gait. After
proceeding half mile, he discovered
| sure enough 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 kind
est stattentions. They pulledo off his boots,
and as they did so portions of the flesh
/ of his feet, which were frozen came off
with them. His first and third fin
| gers thumb and palm of his right 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, and consequently they
could not do much.
The farmers son bought Peters boots,
as he had no further use for them, and
then brought him to Plum Creek, he
having determined to return home. lie
had but little money, but with the
amount realized from the sale OF ms
! boots. and other little sums collected Tor
him, and with supply OF provisions
| given him by the inhabitants OF Plum
Creek and the passengers, he managed
to reach this city yesterday on the Union
Pacific train for the West, after having
suffered untold agonies. On his arrival
here his case was mentioned TO Capt.