The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1874-10-29
Lost in the Woods for Four Days.

gives the following account of an inter-
view had by a reporter of that paper
with MIR. Joseph Robinson, who was re-
Gently rescued after being lost for four
days in a Wisconsin forest:
Now, MIR. Robinson" said the re-
porter, tell us all your adventures from
the time you got Oft tue cars to go hunt
ing, and tell it in your own way"
Yes, SIR answered Robinson
When l got off the train took my re-
vOlVer and went into the woods to shoot
little. | had seven loads in it, l tried
to shoot some squirrels, and with that in
tention wandered away about quarter
OF mile from the road. After had
shot at some squirrels looked about ME
but could not make out which direction
l had come or how to get out, and be-
came bcwildered. l walked on little,
but got more bewildered, and then sat
down on a stump and rested. While l
was there l heard an engine whistle. |
could not make out where it came from
1t sounded as if it was ahead of me, and
then it sounded of, both right and left
l suppose now the last were echoes. 1t
appeared from the statement of the en-
glnc-driver that he had whistled for half
an hour. l started to walk in what APP
pcared to be in the right direction, but
got farther into the woods. could not
see any way out, and began to wander
about aimlessly. The only idea had
was to get out of the woods My mind
was full of nothing else. did not think
of any plan. wandered this way till it
was getting dark. Then thought was
lost in the woods, and began haliooing
tor help. There was no answer but
the rustling of the leaves on the
pine trees and the echo. l cried out
rs loud as could, turning in every di-
rection. Then took out some ivory
circulars kept by newsboys to distrib-
ute among passengers on the cars) and
wrote on them that was lost, and to fol-
low me, and managed to fasten some on
the trees. l began to think how l was
to pass the night. All had in my pockets
was one match and piece of one-luck-
lily the sulphur end in both cases-to light
fire with. had no overcoat, having
left it at the station. walked till l came
to piece of clear, firm ground, with
plenty of branches overhead for shelter,
determined to pass the night, and began
to pick up dry wood. l was thirsty and
found rain-water in holes, but nothing
to eat. The fire was not long building,
and took some circulars and lighted
them with one of the matches. Then,
by the light of the fire, l gathered my
wood for all night and heaped it round.
The night was cold, and when Hay down
folded my arms across my chest and
tried to sleep. thought of home and a
lot of things. l had lost spirit, and
knew l had but very little hope of get
ting out of the woods, but managed to
dOze few minutes at time. Then l
would wake up with start, and finding
the fire getting low would rcplcnlsh it.
| will confess 10 you that was scared.
knew nothing of the country, and could
not make up my mind what plan to pur-
sue. Friday night passed in that way
AT daybrcak l resolved to travel
My feet and legs were sore, as | had
fallen good deal in the broken timber
and brush. So l commenced Saturday
with walking afresh, the idea in my mind
being always how can l get out.
thought all the time to see an opening
Every few steps took fell down, my
feet being caught in the 'windpaths'
(broken trees, and limbs of trees covered
with leaves, and having the appearance
of firm ground). shouted as long as
could, but it was no good. l found
plenty OF rain-water, but no food that
could trust. There were plenty of ber-
ries, but did not know what kind they
were, and feared to eat them, as they
might be poisonous. 1t is not true ate
berries. There was nothing noteworthy
occurred Saturday; the whole day pass
ing in that manner. When night began
to come On again remember feeling a
dread as to the other match. l was not
sure but had lost it. After a search
found it ia the corner of a pocket.
built campfire in the same way as
on Friday night, fortunately succeed
ing IN lighting the circulars with
the bit of match: Then began
night. l could not sleep. The noises of
the woods and my thoughts kent me
awake. After some time I managed to
doze little, and woke, cold, to find nv
fire going out. All around was black,
dark. All the loose dry wood was burnt,
and had to go into the woods a space
to find timber. l proceeded to what
looked like some logs, and was lust
reaching my hand out when l was
startled by hearing a deep growl and
seeing a big black bear in front of me.
He was rising erect on his hind legs, one
arm secured by his side, and the other
ready to stretch out. For an instant
neither stirred. Probably he was at
tracted by curiosity, and was as much
scared as myself. He did not appear
hungry for mans flesh. did rot touch
him. am afraid to think what might
have happened if had. moved back
and he lay still, but growled. Then |
quickly got fire-brand and threw at
him, and fancy he moved off a little;
but he appeared, from the tracks in the
morning, to have been waiting around
there the whole of ne night. managed
TO scrape enough " Jod together to keep
the fire alight till daybreak.
"l got out of that neighborhood Sun.
DAY morning as soon as possible. All
this time all that had passed my lips was