National Republican., 1875-07-21
ENDURANCE.
AWaIk Of An Old Pacific Coaster.


To the Editor of the National Republican:
SIR: The recent walk of Prof Brooks in this
city calls to my mind o case, an account Of which
was never published on the Atlantic coast, Of q
real feat of walking endurance-for life-by q
Pacific coast miner, and no swindle or brag is
connected With this case; During the ne, winter @ OF
pTessman, started from Lewistown, NeZ Perces
county, Idaho Territory, for Elk City, a mining
one hundred and twenty-five miles 70 make
the trip 1t was necessary to wear snow-shees and
pass over the Elk City, spur Of rocky noun
through dense timber. Leaving Silyerwood's
Mountain house, no stopping place existed IT'LL
tWenty,si4 miies were mace over tne mountains
or eight was one Richard Wildan, a Norwegian,
well known to the writer Of this article. He had
vised to take the back track to Sverwoods as the
party could not stop in the snOw Believing he would
20 back (by the plainly marked trau in the snow
on and safely arrived at Elk City, and no fears
were expressed as regarded the fate OF Wildan,
mountain, and then it was ascertained WiIdan had
immediately party was mustered, and on
trail was at last found and followed BY the hardy
pioneers in search Of him. On the ninth day he
was found, stili on foot walking IN a. circle @ on
frozen, yet enclosed in the sleeves Of his coat,
which be had wrapped about them. The ther-
great part Of the time he was struggling on his
feet for life. The party finding him saw that he
was thoroughly crazy. On accosting him and
DO. He was fed on pork and beans at q house not
far back. Not q trace could be found where he
had sat down, not a sign Of where he could have
taken q rest-in fact, with the cold never less
than four degrees below zero, he never had walked
had he rested. He was brought to Newsome
Greek station the ninth night of his wild, cold
unfed, cherries walk in deep snow-tenderly
cared for by Wall Beard, keepers OF the New
some Greek house, and eventually recovered so
as to do q good seasons work with pick and
shovel, In q mining camp called Ebon Water sta
tion, sixteen miles below the Elk City camp.
MIR. Wtld3n was q man Of about one hundred and
eighty pounds weight, short and stout, much re-
semblipg our friend Bufum, connected with the
Republic of this city.
That this article Is true in every respect is
United States tax collector, now Of Mount Idaho,
said Territory, s. s. Fem, Deegate-elect to Con-
gress from 1dahe, or Mr.. Charles Frush, o clerk
now In the Land Office of the Interior Depart
ment, can Youch for the general truthfulness Of
this slight sketch. Here is q case where seven
days Of real walking took place without any re-
freshment or selection of apparel-without cheer
Of any kind, and all for life. Let fools prance on
boards, stages, sc. Dick Williams feat will over
shadow anything they ever can do. hope some
representative man from Idaho will see this
article and give the particulars more fully than
is here cone, although this is q simple account,
in all truth given. Wildan, and those who found
HIM and cared for him, should live in history, and
hope he is still on his feet, as strong as when
found. AN OLD ELK CITY MINER