Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-01-21
Is TRAPPER TRAPPED.

Arty 81 hunters who have Just
ed from IN expedition into
Eevada, about forty miles
fncA town, relate the following remark
alle inrident On hast Thursday after
noon, aboaf three o'clock, two Of the
party were on the trail of deer, which
led them into remote ravine in the
Businesses OF the mountains, into which
they had not before ventured. The
snow being about two feet deep and
the walking very heavy they became
discouraged. aud loosing all hope OF
o1ertaking the deer, which they h.
N6s1i1ded. ehey abandoned he =psxsait.
On their return one Of them discharg-
ed his gun at hare, and soon faint
halleo was heard at some distance to
the right, as if from some one in dis
tress. Uncertain whether they were
not mistaken and had not been decei.
we'd by the wind, they shouted aloud,
when the cry was repeated. As night
would soon come on, they held con-
sultation, and were about proceeding to
their camp, three or four miles away,
concluding that the noise was made by
wandering Indians, or came from par
ty of wood-choppers. They started on,
but soon q prolonged and mournful
howl was borne down by the wind and
again reached their ears. They stared
at each other moment, and then, BY
simultaneous impulse. turned in the
direction from which the sound pro-
ceeded. They went on for some dis.
lance, floundering through the snow
down precipitous descent, which led
them into gloomy canon. As they
drew nearer the voice Of human be-
ing could be distinctly heard calling
for relief. They answered that aid was
approaching. The mans wells of mis-.
cry changed to cries of JOY, and they
could hear him at intervals shouting
"For Gods sake, don't go away and
leave me-" ''Come and get me out" a
am caught and starving" Still they
could see nothing. But, guided by
the mans cries, and cheering him with
hopeful answers as they advanced, the,
pushed forward and at last discerred
what appeared to be small cabin bull
of heavy logs, without windows or doors
The snow had drifted against one sid,
Of the hut nearly as high as the roof
and as they could see no entrance, they
went around to the other side. As sooI
as the occupant saw them he uttered
ordinations Of the greatest Joy, ant
explained his situation III few word.
by stating that he had built bear trai
-asa kad caught himself il it fye dav,
before.
The door was made of heavy logs
and was so arranged as to slip dowr
into its place from above. They tried
to lift it UP, but failed. Finally, by
means OF a stick of timber which Ia,
near by, they pried it up sufficiently
for the prisoner to crawl beneath. HI
appeared more dead than alive, hut b,
the judicious use Of flask Of brand,
they were able to get him to their cam
about dark, where their companions
had blazing fire awaiting their return
The half-famished man ate ravcnouslv
lie was supplied with plenty of no
coffee aud smoked a pipe. after whic,
his strength somewhat revived. and II,
gave the following account of how h
got into the situation in which he wa
found:
He said his name was Thomas WAY
and that be had been engaged III chop
ping wood in the mountains during tn
summer. Since the snowfall, about
month ago, he had frequently notice
tracks of bears among the pine trees
and had often tried to get q sho
at them, but without success. At las
the idea struck him to build a pea sue
as he had often seen grizzly bear
caughtin Lake county. California. wher
he used to live. He explained that til
bear trap is made by building a snla
square house of heavy hewed logs an
covering it with a strong roof. Th
door is of heavy logs also and slides u
and down III the grooves. When it
up there is an open entrance about fv
feet high and four feet wide. A shce
is killed and hung up inside of the pc
attached to rope, which is connecte
with trigger, so that Wien the bea
enters and seizes the mutton the do,
falls and he Is Gagged.
Way went 70 work and completed h
trap to his satisfaction, and intended ,
bait it the same night Having a eur
osity to see how it would work, be wei
in and pulled the rope slightly, whs
the door fell down. He attempted
raise it, but was horror-stricken, an
his hair stood On ED when be found
was unable TO bulge it an inch. i
worked and struggled, but the heav
weight refused to move. The pen worl
ed only too successfully, and he W;
caught In his own trap. He yellet
shouted, called for help, but. KNOWN
that he WIS miles from a human hah
tation and in savage locality wLe
few persons ever ventured, he sat do-.
in blank despair. He spent that nigI
in agony and got but little sleep.
commenced to snow, but. fcrtunatel
he had heavy blanket o:ercoat, whit
; kept him comparatively comfortable
The next morning he commenced shou
ing again until his throat was sore. b
was only answered by the howlings
the tempest He had set his gun again
a stump outside. and longed to get at
that he might let it off and attract som
bcdys attention. He soon began
: get hungry. His thirst was quench,
by thrusting his hand through 4
. ehinks between the logs and r.aking l
snow and eating it. Thus day aft
e day elapsed during which his ment
|, sufferings were terrible.
He was Profuse in his gratitude