Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-10-16
A Heroic Mother.
OVER MOUNTAINS AND THROUGH 81
STORMS TO VISIT 4 sIcK SON

OVER MOUNTAINS AND THROUGH SNOW
STORMS TO VISIT SICK SON.
From the DeBUer Tribune, OctOber6I
The readers of the Tribune will remember
That a messenger was dispatched BY Professor
Hay den from bis division of geological survey,
which was making Investigations at the foot of
Elk Mountains, informing Major Stevenson. in
this city, of the serious illness OF the son of Hon.
j: r. e. Shanks, member OF Congress from In
diana, and directing him to come immediately
and devise means for getting the sick man out
of this almost inaccessible locality. Major
Stevenson started at once and arrived at F air
play in two days, where he awaited the arrival
Of General and Mrs. Shanks, who had bseR tel
egraphed for by Professor Hayden. They ar
rived at Granite few days after, and imme-
dIately the party started on horseback for the
Elk Mountains. Transportation was very linn
tied, and Mrs. Shanks, with heroic determine "a
ton, decided TO visit her son with
the party. Although warned of the dan
gers ana difficulties attendant upon such
journey, she still persisted in going.
AcCor dinghy she was furnished with small
Indian pony, which she rode astride-haying
no stirr9ps, rude straps were improyissd in
which she placed her feet. In this manner
Mrs. Shsnks accompanied the party, telling
them to take their own gait, and she would
surely follow, which she actually accomplished.
The rOute was over two ranges of mountains
and through country regarded by Professor
Hayden as inaccessible to all except M Ountain.
GERS and the most intrepid explorers. Deep
gorges were crossed, high, rough, rocky ridges
climbed, immense tracts of fallen timber ira
versed, and, besides all this, frequent and Sc
we're snow storms were encountered. Yet tho
party, in three days from their departure from
Granite, arrived at the camp. Here, in an
ali aline locality, in a rude hut, which had been
hastily built by the division, young Shsnks was
found just barely alive. His condition was
somewhat improved from the day before, but
still he was far from being out or danger;
yet recognized with Joy his fatner
and mother and Major Stevenson. The
following day he was moved half a mile
for the purpose of obtaining purer water aud
fresh camp. Here several days were spent in
constructing an apparatus which would be
adapted to the delicate condition of the patient
and the rough nature OF the country which he
must traverse. The apparatus consisted OF two
long poles, about thirty feet in length, with two
braces far enough apart to admit the BODY of
the sick man in horizontal position. Between
the braces cords were woven. Over the frame
willows were bent. upon which canvas WAS
placed to protect the sufferer from storms To
the larger end of these poles mule was
attached, being provided with q rude har-
ness. The small.r ends of the poles bainJ
Timber, were left TO drag upon the ground.
| This was carriage similar To the one con-
transported Jesse Bell to Fort Brldger, after
his bear fight. which was described some time
ago in the Tribune.l This contrivance was
found to meet all emergencies, and even sur
passed the expectations of the entire party.
The sick man made but few complaints OF being
Jared by this method of transportation. The
early part OF the return trip was over sage
brush and across large streams, and other i'm
pedments spoken of above, vet Ave miles were
made the first day, fifteen miles the second, and
the latter part OF the journey twenty-five and
thirty miles per day The party reached Twin
Lakes IN safety, the condition OF the young 10 AZ
being much improved on the 18th of September
last; aud the rapidly-recovering man, with his
friends, will probably arrive in Denver to-mor-
row. The members of the Hayden party have
become much attached to the young man, on
account of his industry, energy and amiable
character, and Ii IL with great pleasure to them,
as well az the anxious parents, that he was safe
ly brought from the wilderness.