Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-01-22
AiiGat for Six Days and Nights on an
Ice Raft.

,
had succeeded in reaching land, after
being carried hither and thither over the
bay for six days, with no boat but cake
of ice and no GOV ering save the broad ex.
panse of heaven above them.
The proclamation in this city of their
residence Of their safety spread like wild
fire, and the gloom which had been cast
over the entire community by their disap-
pearance, and which had continued to in
crease as day after day rolled around and
no tidings of them were received was
diSpeled by the simple telegram which
flashed over the wires from Piaconning
yesterday afternoon, 1--WE are safe U
to Monday night the young mems friends
had entertained hope that perhaps they
had landed on some island and would re-
turn. But on yesterday this last hone
died out, and they were mourned rs dead.
That mourning was changed to 10Y
when the dispatch was received, and as
the glad news spread about the city, many
a teryent "Thank God" was uttered, while
in the houses of each there were such re
joicings as are seldom heard. 1t was, in
fact, as il the dead had returned to life
The telegram announced that Mcssrs
MCEwen and Smith would arrive home
on the evening train on the jackson, Ian
sing x Saginaw railroad. Accordingly,
as the time for the arrival of the train APP
preached, a large crowd gathered at the
depot to get sight of the heroes of one Of
the most perilous voyages on record, and
congratulate them upon their narrow eS-
cape, Upon reaching this city they were
Immediately conveyed to their homes,
where their wives and children and nu-
merous friends were awaiting their arri-
val. Physicians were in attendance to
render the men whatever medical aid was
necessary.
In an interview with VIM. McEwen this
morning, we were given a full account of
the perilous voyage of himself and com.
rade, the hardships endured, and their
final escape from their trcacherous boat
AS it will be of interest to all our readers,
we give full summary, pretacing ii by
saying that Mr.. McEwcn was twenty-five
years of age on the day on which he was
carried out into the bay, and Mr.. Smith
will be twenty-five in February.
These two young men left Bay City on
Wednesday, Dec 81, at nine O'clock in
the forenoon, for "a trip to the bay. Mr.
McEwen intended to return on the fol-
lowing day. Mr. Smith intended to re-
main several days and locate a fishing
ground. Accordingly a quantity of pro
visions was taken along IN addition to
blankets, spears, two hand-sleds, and
other paraphernaia requisite in fishing.
The provisions were left on shore, and
taking the other articles, the men pro-
ceeded out on the bay. They went about
three and onc-halt miles from the light
house, and TO point about one mile from
the east bay shore, where the ice was
about five or six inches in thickness
Here they commenced to fish, and were
so engaged when, at half past four O'Clock,
McEWen looked up and saw man
named Rundell, of Wenona, running from
the ice toward the shore. He also dis
covered that the ice had parted in Il line
extending across the bay and down the
east shore, they being about six rods from
the break. McEwen called to his comrade,
and the two ran toward the crack with
the intention OF escaping to the shore.
When the discovery was first made
that the ice had parted, the distance inter
vening between the field on which they
were and the ice which remained attached
to the shore was only about eight inches,
but by the time they reached the edge Of
lut lIt, INC NlStdilNt iltlti Ill'ltd0iN W sum
an extent that to Jump across was an utter
impossibility.
Accordingly, they called to Rundell
but he paid no attention to them, Their
situation did not Startle them in the least
as they knew that on the ice which re
NAMED attached to the shore were several
boats, aid also knew that Ruudell had
seen them, and were confident that he
would raise the alarm and come to their
rescue. He did not however, and they
then set to work to help themselves, The
water where they were then drifting was
about eight feet in depth, and they ac-
cordingly commenced chopping out a
small cake Of ice, on which they intended
to pole themselves ashore by means Of
their spear-polcs They had dril1ed into
deep water before the ice was chopped
off, and this attempt was necessarily
abandoned
After discovering that Rundcll did not
come to their assistance, they expected
that he would give the alarm in Bay City,
when search for them would be instituted,
but on Friday they gave mp this hope.
Saturday and Sunday the ice drittcd TO
the eastward, and on the later day they
we're in sight Of Fish point. The storm
OF Sunday cut up the ice and reduced II
to about three inches in thickness. At
this time the wind shifted to the north
west, and as they had drifted toward the
east shore, they again started eastward.
On their way they discovered small
boat, but did not attempt to move IT.
They continued on until nooH of Sunday,
when they were compelled to stop, the
wind having parted the ice. They again
set out westward, and, coming up to the
boat, put it on sled and drew it about n
mile and a half. Here they both got IN
the water and finally gave mp their
Journey and returned 10 wait for
colder weather. which would join he ice
together sufficiently 10 cuanle them to
cross They saw the smoke Of The tug