The Saline County journal. [volume] (Salina, Kan.) 1871-1893, 1875-11-25
Climbing'at the Yosemite.


both visitors and resi- tents IN the valley
were thrown into 4 state of excitement
upon 1t being made known thata Scotch
man named George Anderson, formerly
a sailor, had actually accomplished this
wonderful and daring feat. Very few
believed the tale, and those who had al
ready seen the South Dome utterly
denied that the feat was within the limit
OF possibility. a party OF the English
tourists concluded that they would judge
for themselves by visiting the spot.
Those who have been there know the
kind OK riding necessary 10 reach the
base OF its mountain, which rises some
5000 ieel above the level OF the valley.
The news spread like wildtire that
the BrilisherS would attempt the ascent.
At 4. 81. on Saturday, the 10Th OF
September, a party of eleven adventur-
ers, headed by George Anderson, start
ed from Black Hotel upon their seven
miles ride up the PERCEPTIONS height past
the Vcrna and Nevada Falls, and struck
the littlc-frequen;ed trail 10 South Dome.
On reaching the heavy masses OF fallen
granite kno WI rs the "Camcl's Back
they dsmounted, and after brief rest Il
few commenced the dangeron. climb 20
,lie foot of the Dome. The Scotchman
arrived first. AS the party assembled
at the foot OF an almost perpendicular
rock, which is according 10 Prot.
Whitncy's calculation, at least /, 300 feet
high, they looked with dismay st the
Journey before them.
George Anderson then explained that
as he climbed he had bored holes in the
rock and inserted iron eyebolts. To
these cyebolts he had secured u rope,
and those who would venture 10 climb,
holding the rope with their hands and
pressing the rock with their feet, might
do so,providing their strength held out,
in perfect safety. Two Ct the English
men said it might be good fun III walk
Ing up walls, but they didn't feel like
trying" Anderson, however, with u
cheer, went ahead. There WAS 4 mo-
ment's hesitation; then, with u shont Of
enthusiasm, some Of the crowd rushed
TO The rope. 1t WAS first secured by two
younS Englishmcn uamed Robinson,
who rapidly commenced the escaladc.
They we're foloewd by another rejoicing
in the name Of Cannon. Then Mr.
MOrcland, an american, tseendcd, fol
lowed closely by West, guide from the
valley. These were allowed 10 work
their way ny, lest the rope should break.
Mr.. Liedig, Of tho valley, then went mp,
followed by Mr.. Groom, another English
tourist.
Anderson now looked like fl crawl
ing in the distance, rs he rapidly dis
tanced his followers, shouting words OF
rs they caStionsly made
their way upward. Sometimes they
stopped, holding on conuylsively TO the
rope and the eycboIt until they could
up the dizzy height. Mr. Lie
dig turned sick, and with difficulty re
turned swearing that for all the dollars
in California he could not have gone
further.
The spectators now waited nervousi j
for those who bad gained the summit,
and were soon relieved from their an
xiety by hearing the report OF Vests
revolver. They now commenced to
painfully down the "Camels
Back" to the horses and those who had
not cared to make the ascent. There
being no trail, each had 10 make one
for himself. Several had narrow es-
rapeS.
Mr. Groom, after an involuntary roll
oi some fifteen or twenty feet, suddenly
found himself looking over u prcciplcc
between two and three thousand feet
Iecp into the valley below. He had
Sudden so far down the rock that, with
cut the aid Of the ropes, he could not re-
urn. To advance was almost certain /
icath OF horrible paturc. None un- Z
ierstcod the terrible meaning OF his /
,rlcs for help. His sole support was
aarrow ledge Of granite, 10 which he
nc!d on with q grim tcnaciiy or man
who fights for life. But his strength
could not last, aud with loud cry ne
rolled headlong down, down, q, he be
ievcd into eternity. But III throwing
MS arms toward rs he tell they slid into
l crcvicc, by which he held Oh. Here
nc WIS able t. take advantage of a slope
n the rock, and with the calves of his I
egs and his hands he worked himself
downward TO a firm footing. lie alter
ward reached the base OF the mountain
n safety.
We think that one, at least, Of these
viii remember the ascent c.!
he South Dome. Soon after this incl
len George Anderson ind the adven-
urcrs who had followed bin returned
safely. Three cheers were given ana
he parties commenced the descent 20
he valley.
AMERICAN GESltS. AGo3i 4 siNkkT
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