Bradford opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1874-1881, 1876-12-23
A LONELY VIGIL.

A Vile with her Seven Chiidren Ksepiss
Watch Over the RemRius Of Her Hus.
band. Killed BY Accident In the Alsuu.
tHins Of Colorado.
w. II. Ostrom, who Ia we'll known in
Denver, having resided here, q Denver
paper says, started with his vito and
seven children from ranch in Pine
Grove gulch, upon which no has lived
for the last few years, for distance OF
about twenty miles to small park on
the South Plato, where no expected to
spend tho winter. Mr.. Ostrom had pre-
viously visited the park, and had built
house for the protection Of his family.
He had removed most OF his effects, and
started with his family and few articles
OF household furniture and wearing ap-
parel. When tho travellers were about
three miles from tho place where they
intended to stop, tho wagon was over
turned aud Mr.. Ostrom was killed by
the toughest portion OF the road, and
about four o'clock camo to small
stream, over which man could step
with ease. Tho team was composed OF
pair OF mules, and ono OF them shicd,
throwing the wagon to one side and
upon an obstruction. Tho shock was No
great ~ 10 ovcrturn tho wagon. The
party aboard consisted of Mr.. Ostrom,
his wife and soven children. Mrs. Os.
from and the children were thrown oil
some distance 30 ono 81 Ia. Mr.. Ostrom,
thinking they would bch hurt. throw him
self under the wagon ~ prevent it's fall
ing upon them. He was borne 10 the
ground and WAS caught squarely under
the crosshar Of the wagon he'd. There
was weight Of fully 800 pounds upon
him. and of course he could not move.
Mrs. Ostrom and children were thrown
OF amid the heavy rocks That lay
around, and all of them were bruised,
but none seriously injured. She 60.
upon her feet ~ soon as possible, and
found her husband in tho condition m
described. His face was very pale, aud
tho lady was, of course, frightened. She
begun to cry, M did the children also.
He was not unable 10 speak, aud he as
sured her that he was not greatly hurt.
Hc told her to SGT n lever and pry tho
wagon of him She tried, but could
not move it, the weight being far be-
yond the capacity of II strong man. She
did everything in her power, but to no
avail He grew palcr md paler, and in
less than five minutes after the accident
occurred died.
At this time The Oldest son, who was
driving COW, came up. He and his
mother were both unable to remove the
load from the body of the dead husband
and father. And they were compelled
to uncouplo the wagon and drag it off
with the mu'es. No means would avail
anything to restore life. There were
tho poor woman and her seven children
fifteen miles from human being in the
heart OF tha Rocky mountains, and night
then upon them. The Oldest of the
children was bu. fourteen, and the
others werc very small. Right hero
bears and mountain lions abound. and
al old huutcr told reporter of tho 7ri-
bune that he woull consider staying in
this place Mt night very hazardous I'M
dertaking.
But there was no alternative. The
nearest house that could he reached was
fifteen miles back over the samo road,
through tho mountains, that they had
Travelled during tho day. SO with the
sheet beside her, and her children and
tho beasts Of tho mountain wilds to keep
her company, tho brave woman deter
mined to spend the night
A big fro was built, and the children
were mado as comfortable rs possible.
But Mt this season Of tho year it IL very
cold in tho mountains, and do what she
might the little ones suffered. She never
thought of her own comfort, and she
and her oldest boy kept tho lonely vigil
through an almost endless and very cold
aud very DIRK night. Tho mountains
rosc thousands Of feet all around them,
but their dark shadows only served to
render the scene more dreary.
At last the morning dawned, and with
tho first ray OF light she began to make
preparations for her return. Tho wagon
was coupled together and the team at
tachod. The children and the dead body
OF the husband we're put on the wagon,
aud the party began to rotrace their
footsteps. Tho body had frozen stiff
during the night. Tho road was SO bad
that they did not reach any house until
nine O'Clock at night Mr.. William
Jennings ranch WAS first reached, and
here the corpse was taken charge OF 10y
that gentleman. A coffin was impro-
visod, AMI Mr.. Fleming started for Den
with tho remains. He reached that
place, having travelled all night and a
great part of tho day previous, through
tho snowstorm. Mrs. Ostrom followed,
bringing her children with her. Mr..
Ostrom came from Mobile, Ala, to
Denver, in 1869. Ho was a carpenter,
and was first class workman. Ho was
man of refined manners, and very
popular. About three years ago be
moved ito this ranch and mas since re-
sided there. On account of tho grass
hoppers he did not prosper, but lcf;
food aud clothing for his family to last
during tho winter. lie was about forty
five years of age.