Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-22

REMARKABLE CASE.

Nevada papers bring the details ola re-
markable instance of human endurance.
The story as told by the Virginia Chroni-
Gle of April %, in effect, is as follows:
About fifty miles from Virginia City, as
the crow flies, is Il little mountain vale,
known as Gravelly valley. In the sum-
mer season it is u beautiful spot, green
and luxuriant, but it is showed in during
most of the winter. In February last two
hunters, named NJ. III. Robinson and Da-
vid Knox, were in the neighborhood look
ing for game At night they encamped
in small cabin which had been used in
former years by sheep herders. During
the day they explored the surrounding
mountains looking for bear and deer. They
succeeded in killing a large cinnamon
bear, which they dragged to the hut. The
steaks cut from its quarters served as an
agreeable change from their usual diet of
cured bacon and .jerked venison. On the
morning of Feb. Is, when twelve miles
from camp. Robinson, in getting on his
horse, accidentally discharged his gun.
and the ball, an ounce in weight, passed
through his right heel, shattering it to
fragments. His companion enveloped the
wound in snow, and tied 1t up in a piece
of sadde-b blanket, and they started imme-
diately for the cabin. Upon their arrival,
Knox saw at once that it was necessary to
90 lor a physician. Robinson was weak
from loss of blood, was utterly unable to
ride TO the nearest settlement, distance
OF 40 miles, and the nature of this injury
was such that he must surely die unless
medical assistance was procured. 1t was
probable that it would be judged necessa-
~ to amputate the limb to save his life.
They were sworn friends; and Knox, af-
ter placing the wounded man in bunk,
covering him with blanket and leaving
him two days provisions, bade him be of
good cheer until his return. He rode all
that night through binding storm, which
set in soon after his departure. and ar
rived in Lake Valley soon after daylight.
The road passed over q high range OF
mountains which separates the two val
leis. There was no cessation in the
storm, but having procured the assistance
OF physician who was we'll known TO
Robinson, they started to return. As they
ascended the steep side of the mountain
the determined men soon found that it
was impossible to proceed farther. The
snow was already four or five feet deep,
and was accumnlating in great drifts
Halt dozen times their horses fell into
deep ravines from which they were extri-
Gated with difficulty, and they were at
last compelled to turn mournfully back
Tor their own preservation. The regrets
they felt at Robinsons fate were of no
avail, but all through the winter his un-
timely end was discussed by his friends
around their tiresides. About ten days
ago, when the snow was pretty we'll off
the ground. party of men thought it their
duty to go over into the deserted valley
and bury his body. He was boon COM
panion. liked by everybody. and had
host of friends. They crossed the noun
tain and came in sight of the spot where
the disaster had occurred nearly two
months before. with mournful feelings.
They arrived at the door of the cabin and
were alighting from their horses when a
voice within was heard joyfully to eX-
claim: "Well, have you fellows got here
at last ~ and Robinson came limping out
upon pair of crutches. The amazement
of the party may be imagined Noticing
their surprise he said: "You all thought
was dead. did you? am not. but am
as well as ever was in my life, except
this leg And SO it proved. He was
aware that the storm which set in upon
knoN's departure would prevent his re-
turn, and at once set to work to make the
best of the situation. He kept his wound
dressed with snow, and when his ready
provisions were exhausted dragged him.
self to the carcass of the bear at the door
of the cabin and cut off a slice with his
butcher knife. Raw bear-meat and water
from mountain stream which ran near
by was all the sustenance he had tor sew.
en- weeks. This nragre diet, no doubt,
kept his foot from mortifying The fever
subsided. the Inflammation went down.
and it soon began to heal. With wire
which he tore off an old broom he probed
the wound and drew out several pieces of
the bone. He then made pair Of
crutches and was able to get about with
out difficulty. He considers the snow
storm a lucky thing, as his leg would
probably have been amputated had the
physician arrived. Upon his return to
Lake Valley he was welcomed as one
back from the dead, and the affair is the
great theme of conversation throughout
the whole neighborhood