The Findlay Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Hancock County, Ohio) 1870-1881, 1873-01-31
TIE LAND OF ZERO.
A Terrible incident Of the Great storm
How People Freeze Before They
Know It-A Horrible Episode.

Know It-A Horrible Episode.
From the Minneapolis Times, January Is.
Among the many sad incidents which
We have been called upon to chronicle
during the last few days with regard
to terrible results OF the latestOrm,
none, perhaps, viii excite more sorrov
and sympathy than the, story OF Mrs.
Mary Townsend, q young married
lady who recently came with her hus-
band from Central New York to take
up their abode IN our State.
Just after the holidays the young
couple lett this city for visit to an
uncle OF the bride, gentleman named
Murray, who resides scme five or six
miles from Pennington. A week ago
last Monday Mn. Townsend and hi
wife had occasion to visit Pennington,
and for this purpose q team attached
to light cutter was furnished them
by Mr.. Murray. They started OF, say
ing, however, ,thstthey might notreturn
until the next day. They did not at
tempt to return thst night, but early
on Tuesday morning they were on
their way back. Il was very cold and
the horses were urged on, but sudden
ly the windarose, fine particles OF snow
began to fall, and before long The great
storm burst upon them in al its terri-
bic fury. For a while the strong an
imals battled against the elements,
but becoming exhausted at lsst, it was
found impossible to urge them onward.
In the meantime the violence OF tn
storm increased. Great drifts were
forming around the sleigh, and it was
impossible to distinguish objects
scarcely a rod distant. 1t was ter
rible dilemma to be placed in, and
the hearts of both occupants OF the
sleigh beat fast with fear and anxiety.
As hours passed on, with no sbate-
ment Of the angry storm, the perils Of
their situation began to increase, and
while each endeavored to cheer the
othsr, both Salt that nothing but q
mysterious Interposition of Providence
could save them from the terrible fate
of freezing to death. At last night
csme, but still the fierce winds howled
over and about them, the drifts grew
larger and the temperature colder.
Wrapped in their robes and blankets,
they huddled together in the bottom
of the sleigh, and passed the night in
praying for GeliYersnce from that
awful situation.
As soon as daylight appeared, Mr..
Townsend signitied his intention of
an attempt to find assistance
if possible. His wife made fearful re-
fearing that he would
meet with no success, and perhaps
perish with cold. He eheered her as
best he could, however, and packing
he robes still closer around her, tool
one OF tie horses and, mounting him,
irove away.
All day the lonely wife waited, her
heart beating faster with fear as the
tedious hours wore on, and her tears
and prayers falling together. Night
:ame again, but it did not bring her
lu5OduQ uOE NciACA- OuAAC0 IL lilo
iolds OF blankets and bufaloes, she
:ould hear the wailing OF the wild
winds as they swept over the lone
Drarle all through the dismal hours.
Exhausted, weary, and benumbed, she
It last fell asleep, in which condition
he was found about 10 O'Clock on the
morning of Thursday, the 9th inst. by
party who were in search of missing
mes
She was, after considerable exertion,
reused, and finding that her exhaus-
ion was caused by fatigue and hunger,
nd that she was not trost-bltten, the
eighbors carried her to the residence
e her uncle, only a half mile distant.
Here she was provided with every
hing needful for her comfort, but
ghen upon the next day the body of
Ter husband was brought home frozen
md stiff and stark, her grief gave way
% the wild rawlings of insanity. Before
his she had told her uncle all that had
up to the time Of her falling
asleep. As soon as possible physicians
were sent for, but at last accounts Mrs.
Townsend was failing rapidly, with no
signs Of rational Improvement.