Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-01-28
Narroy Escape from Freezing.

-Four aen including the section boss.
off thee. B. & VI. r. R., Mr.. Nc
Can, ame near freezing to death on
5he eold Saturday which will be forev-
er Memorable in the minds of our peo-
pIe. The facts as near as we can as
certain them are these. On Saturday
morning, Mr.. kemmit who was form =
ely in the employ of the railroad COM
pany, obtained the consent of the prop
er authorities to come over to our city
on a hand-car to procure medicine for
his family. The section boss and two
other men, one known as {" Californy.
accompanied him. At seven o clock IN
the evening they all started home, all
but Mr.. McCann we'll filed with liquor,
as we are informed. After proceeding
little way, 1t was evident that Ke-
mint was becoming drowsy, and Mr..
McCann resorted to pretty severe
means to keep him awake. Kemmit fl
nally rolled off the car and declared he
would 90 back to town. The car had
not gone far before "Californy'' showed
signs Of succumbing to the cold. He
finally rolled off into the snow, deter
mined to follow Kemmit, but did it
SO slyly that he was not missed for
several minutes. Mr.. McCann and
his companion now drove the car as
rapidly as possible, but soon they be-
gan to feel sleepy, Mr.. McCann's COM
panion sinking down utterly unable
to assist at the crank. Mr.. McCann
now drove on alone until he found
himslf unable to scarcely move, when
he stopped che car and gained access
to an old logging shanty just beyond
Trahern where getting together a
little hay lac built a fire Both the
men after warming themselves concluded
to remain over uight and pursue their
way in the morning. They did SO, await
ing in terrible suspense the knowledge OF
the fate Of their comrades. All the par
ty excepting ''Californy" got through
with no severe effects from the terrible
cold. ''Californy," however is terribly
frozen DIR. Witter was called who
amputated his toes and fingers. How
he reached home and where he tarried
has net been communicated to us.
The sold was intense, the mercury
on that fearful night indicating 80 :
below zero. Had the men been sober
undoubtedly all would have weathe1ed
the cold. The Whiskey King must
hold itself accountable fer the maim-
ing for life Of .tCal1forny." We have
since learned that in all probability the
limbs of "Californiy' will have to be
amputated as modification is setting in.
The Observation-Disclosures large gath
eriag attended the L. & l.. Society at
the basement last Monday evening.
The exercises were excellent. The
Organ Duet by Mrs Powers and
Miss Ella Compton was capital 1Ir.
Philleo and Mrs C. O. Baker gave
the Evening Song to the Virgin,
vocal Duet followed by tie qUartette,
Ike Star Of Descending Night a
most beautiful composition. Il Come,
! Come duet by Miss Fanny Ba-
ker and Mrs. G. O. Baker concluded
the veel part Of the entertainment
The Literary exercises were very com
mendable. The President recited
K Maud Muller as we Thought w5th
very excellent expression. The select
reading by Miss Sophie Fountain was
very distinct, though hardly loud
enough 10 be audible in all parts Of the
room, Miss Maggie Shoemaker read az
essay entitled, Fashion. We thiak
Shis the best literary production yet
read before the society. It was
carefully prepared paper with very snany
excellent thoughts and valuable sug-
gestions- The defamation by Mr.,
David Baker--an extract from Pat
rick Henry's speech betare the Tir-
ginia Convention, I775 was delivered
with good effect. "Apostrophe to
Ocean by Byron, read by Mr., PbilIeo,
closed the literary exercises, New
members were admitted, and good
programme prepared for next week Miss
Susie Rabin leads the music at the
neXt meeting.