Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1875-04-03
4 TERRIBLE SITUATION.
A Nau Caught I'm q Bcnr Trap.


tion into the Sierra Nevada, about forty
miles from town relates the following
remarkable incident On last Thurs
day afternoon, about 5 o'clock two of
the party were on the trail of deer
which led them i2to 4 remote ravine in
the fastness of the mountains. Into which
they had not before ven,ured. The
snow being about two feet thick, and
the walking very heavy, they became
discouraged, and losing all hope of over
taking the deer which they had wound
cd. they abandoned the pursuit. On
their return one of them discharged his
gun at a hare, and soon after faint
halloo was heard at some distance 10 the
right. as if from some one in dis,n So
Uncertain whether they had not been
deceived by the whistling of the wind
they shouted aloud, when TIE cry was
repeated. AS night would soon come
ON and as they were three or four niibs
away from camp, concluding that the
noise was made by wandering Indians
or came from party of wooicLoppefs,
they started on. Soon however a pro-
loneed and mourniul howl again reach
ed their ears aud they turned in Tho
direction in which the sound proceeded.
They went foundering through the
snow down preeipitous descen, which
led them into gloomy cannon. Az
they drew nearer the voice of human
being could be distinctly heard calling
tor relief, they answered that aid was
approaching. The mans yells of mis-
cry changed TO cries OF JOY, aud they
could hear him at intervals shouting
'lor Gods sake don't 90 away and leave
me! Come and set ne out Il sn,
caught and starving Still they could
see nothing, but guided by the mans
cries and cheering him with hopeful
answers rs they advanced, they pushed
forward and at last descended 10 what
seemed 10 be small cabin built cf
heavy logs, without windows or doors.
The snow had driitcd against one side
OF the hut nearly rs high as the root,
and as they could ste no entrance they
went around TO the other side, AS soon
rs the carnations of great JOY, and cx'
planned his situation in few words
Ills rescuer tried in vain 10 lift the
door of his PRISON. Finally, by mems
of stick of timber, which lay near by,
they pried it up sufficiently for the pris-
oner to crawl beneath. lie appeared
more dead than alive, but by The judi
cial use Of flask of brandy they were
able TO get him 10 their camp about
dark, where their companions had "a
blazing fire awaiting their return. Tho
half famished man ate ravcnousIy llo
was supplied with plenty Of hot coffee
and smoked apipc after which his
strength somewhat revived, and gave
the following account of his situation.
His name was Thomas Way aud had
been chopping wood in the mountains
during the summer. Since the frs,
snow fall, about a month ago, he had
frequently noticed tracks of bears among
the pine trees, and had often tried 10
get a shot at them, but without success.
At last the idea struck him 10 bGilJ =
pen such as he has often seen grizzly
bears caught in Lake county, Oalilor.
MIA, where he used TO live. The trap
is made by building small square
house Of heavy hcwedv logs, and cover.
ing it with a strong roof. The door Of
heavy logs also slides mp and dawn ia
grooves When il is up there is an
open entrance about tour iect wide. The
sheep is killed and hung inside the pen
to a rope which is connected trigger,
so that when the bear enters and seizos
the mutton the door falls and lie is
Gagged. Way completed his trap 10 his
satisfaction, and intended 10 bait IL tho
same night. Having curiosity to see
how it would work, he went in and
pulled the rope slightly, and the door
fell down. lie attempiedio raise il but
was horror stricken when he found he
was unable TO bulge il al inch. IIc
worked and struggled, but the heavy
weight refused 10 move. The pen
worked only too successfuliy,and he was
caught in his own trap. lie shouted
for help but knowing that lie was miles
from any human habitation and IN
savage locality where iew persons ever
venturcd, he soon sat down in blank
despair. lie spent that night ~ agony,
aud got but little sleep. Ii commenced
10 snow, but fortunately lie had heavy
blanket oyercoat, which kept him CON-
paratiyely comfortable. The next morn
ing he commenced shouting again, until
bis throat was sore, but was only AL
swered by the howIip gs Ct the tempest.
lie had sat his gun against stump
outside and longed 10 get at il that hs
might fire il of aud attract somebody's
attention. lie soon began 70 get bun.
cry. Ills thirst he quenched bythrns.-
ing his hand through the ctdnks he.
tween the logs aud raking Up srow aud
eating it. Thus day after day elapsed, i.
during which his mental sufe,iDgs were
terrible. tell you men, said he, 4
thought Of everything ] had ever done
in all my life, from the Ting was =
boy six years old -
AT last brilliant idea struck him
lie had matches, and would burn his
way out. With thsbeeI Of his boot lie
had accumulated quantity Of dust and
splinters, which I've would light with a
match and then blow the fire wifhshis
hat until be had burned a bole large
enough for his exit. All the day previ-
Gus 10 that on which he was found he
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