Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1874-04-10
Thrilling Adventure---A True Story.

Thrilling Adventure---A True Story.
THERE is a deep gorge just north of
Geyser Peak known as DEVILS Canon.
The Hogs Back Range is its southern
boundary, and high mountain separat-
ing Big Sulphur Creek from the canon
forms its northern wall. The stream
which runs through the gorge tumbles
over rocky bed of boulders hurled in
wild disorder from the adjacent noun
tains. Little Sulphur Creek comes in
from the southeast, sweeps around the
foot of Geyser Mountain, forming a half
circle, and is Joined by the water from
DEVILS Canon. In the fork of the two
streams rises Geyser Peak, 3,470 feet
above the sea level, bold landmark,
familiar to all residents of this and
Russian River Valley. The old Foss trail
to the Geyser Spring wound round its
crest, from which thousands of travellers
from all parts of the world have looked
down into the gloomy depths of DEVILS
Canon, the scene of the adventure we are
about to relate.
Years ago, when Santa Rosa was
scattering hamlet, when only here and
there fence obstructed travel in any
direction over the broad, untitled plains,
well-known pioneer citizen, still
resident of this township, started 20
visit a sheep ranch on Big Sulphur
Creek, Just beyond the section first de-
scribed. He was dressed in the half
Spanish, balf-American style peculiar
to the rancbero of that day. His horse
was 1.-the, muscular, and high.spirited,
caparisoned after the California style
"a headstall of hair ornamented with
colored tassels, a bride with heavily
plated Spanish bit and fastenings About
the horn of the saddle was coiled raw
hide RATA. Leaving the site of the pres
ent town of Healdsburg, the rider took
an obscure trail leading northeasterly in
the direction of his sheep camp, which he
expected to reach before sundown. The
trail led over spur after spur jutting out
from the main range of the Mayacamus
Mountains. Before the traveller realized
the fact the lofty hills above and around
him were clothed in the purple hues of
midsummer sunset When winding
around the narrow trail of the eastern
face of Geyser Peak, the sun sank be-
meath the horizon. The canon beneath
him looked dark and uninviting-wedge-
shape. like a valley turned edgewise in
the hills. Between him and his destina-
tion DEVILS Canon and the ridge divid-
ing it from Big Sulphur Creek still inter
vened. He commenced the descent on
trail not followed without care even by the
broad light of the sun. Urging his horse
he was soon amid a grove of lofty pines,
whose crests first below the level of the
vision soon after formed dark bulwark
behind him. He reached and crossed
safely the rocky bed of the stream, and
commenced to ascend the opposite side,
which was precipitous and bare. 1t
| omit orb Ia al
| to the instinct of his horse, which strug-
gled up the steep ascent, sure-footed and
strong of wind. His dog, a constant COM
panion, kept close beside him. After
some time he reached a place which
afforded sufficient standing.room to rest
| his jaded horse. Supposing he was near
the summit, he forced the horse, which
manifested a strong disposition to go in
contrary direction, along way which
seemed to the rider smoother and more
direct. Passing over the level space he
| perceived they had commenced to descend,
and supposed that he had crossed the
summit of the ridge, when he felt that his
horse was slipping; its fore feet were ex-
tended and launches down. Faster and
faster they went! Realizing the danger
as they came beneath the branches of
stunted oak, the rider sprang from the
saddle, holding in his hand the RATA, to
which he clung with the instinct of
| despair; one end was about the horses
neck, and the blight caught round the oak
on the opposite side of which the rider
had fallen. Hand over hand, by the stout
raw-hide, he climbed up the steep ascent
and grasped the tree. The riata, relieved
of its heavy strain, ratified around it;
there was a humping sound as the
horse endeavored to hold his footing, a
crash and breaking of brush, wild,
half-human Shrek, an instant of ap-
palling stiffness, and then crushing
thud Terrified at his narrow escape,
| the traveller remained he knows not how
| long, clinging to the friendly oak, cold
beads of sweat rolling down his forehead.
| He CROPPED his way up the hill clinging
to the underground, cutting, as occasion
required, foothold with his knife,
reaching the summit in safety. The
light of waning moon, which rose
above the horizon, enabled him to find
| his way down the mountain to Big Sui
phur Greek, which he followed up to his
sheep camp, located near the place where
the Cloverdale and Geyser Springs toll
house now stands. Next morning he re-
turned to the scene of his frightful adj
venture, and found where he had left the
trail and turned in the direction of the
precipice. Below the stunted but firmly
rooted oak track was broken through
the chapparal. Descending the base of
the precipice he found, wedged in the
Jaws of the DEVILS Canon, the body of
his gallant steed, crushed to Jelly! The
dog had found and apparently remained
I1?;;fn If?;;; the dead horse through the night.
pleasure it erouched and fa%8fngeddf vi geddfX aJH9s aRa
the feet of Its master.-SOnOra (Od9.) Dan.
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