Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1875-01-29
Selefted Mlistrllanp.
THE TRAPPER TRAPPED.

A party Of hunters who have return
ed from an expedition into Sierra Nevada,
about forty miles from town. relate the
following remarkable incidents On last
Thursday afternoon, about three o'clock,
two Of the party were on the trail Of
deer, which led them into remote revine
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 dis
couraged, and loosing all hope Of over
taking the deer, which they had wounded,
they abandoned the pursuit.
On their return one Of them discharge
ed his gun at a hare, and soon faint
halloo was heard at some distance to the
right, as if from some one in distress -
Uncertain whether they were not mis-
taken and bad been deceived by the wind,
they shouted aloud, when tile cry was
repeated. As night would soon come on,
they held conversation, and were about
proceeding to their camp, three or four
miles away, concluding that the noise was
made by wandering Indians, or came
from party of wood-choppers. They
started on, but d prolonged and mournful
howl was borne down by the wind and
again reached their ears. They stared
at each other for moment, and then, by
simultaneous impulse, turned III the di-
rection from which the sound proceeded.
They went ON for some distance founder
ing through the snow down precipitous
descent, which led them into gloomy
canon As they drew nearer the voice of
a human being could be distinctly heard
calling for relief. They answered that
aid was approaching. The mans yclls Of
misery changed TO cries Of joy, and they
could hear him at intervals shouting.
:. For Gods sake, don't 60 away and
leave me" Z Come and get me ont, {. /
am caught and starving" Still they
could see nothing. But, guided by the
mans cries, and cheering him with hope
full answers as they advanced, they push
ed forward and ut last dsccrned what
appeared to be a small cabin built of
heavy logs, without windows or doors.
The snow bad drifted against one side Of
the hut nearly as high as the roof, aud as
they could see no entrance, they went
around to the other side. As soon as
the occupant saw them he uttered excla-
nations Of the greatest joy, and explained
bis situation in few words by stating
that he bad built bear trap and had
caught himselfin it five days before. The
door was made Of heavy logs, and was
SO arranged as to slip down into its place
from above. They tried to lift it up,
but failed. Finally, by means of stick
of timber which lay near by, they pried
it up sufficiently for the prisoner to crawl
beneath. He appeared more dead than
alive, but by the judicious use Of flask
of brandy they we're able to get him to
their camp about dark, where their COM
panions had blazing fire awaiting their
return The half-famisbed man ate rave
nously. He was supplied with plenty of
hot coffee and smoked a pipe, after which
bis strength somewhat revived, and he
gave the following account Of how he
got into the situation in which be was
found
He said his name was Thomas Way,
and that be had been engaged in wood
chopping in the mountains during the
Since the snowfall, about
month ago. he had frequently noticed
tracks Of bears among the pine trees. and
had often tried to get shot at them, but
without success. At last the idea struck
him to build pen such as be had often
seen grizzly bears caught in Lake county.
California. where he used TO live He
explained that the bear trap is made by
building a small square house Of heavy
hewed logs and covering it with strong
roof. The door is also Of heavy logs and
slides up and down in the grooves
When it is up there Is an open entrance
about FIVE feet high and four wide. A
sheep is killed and hung up inside Of the
pen attached to rope, which is connect