The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1877-12-29
Death in the Drifts.

vey, miner, ompanied by William
Penitield and John Mcdonald, started
| from Leadville, the new town in Cali
| fornia Gulch, to walk across the Mos
quito range to Alma. The morning
when they left was fine, and the range
as seen gave no indication of the be-
wildering storm that was brewing and
which was destined to be the death of
one of the party. Neither of the three
was clad in a manner calculated to in
sure protection against a range storm,
and had the day continued fine they
must have suffered from the severe cold
to be experienced at this season of the
year at an altitude of over $4,000 feet,
in the region of perpetual snow. When
half way up the trail leading from
Evans Gulch his companions noticed
| that McDonald's speech became very
disconnected, and rightly Judging that
the severity of the fierce tempest into
which they were just entering was the
cause, they endeavored to cheer him
up, and thus encouraged he succeeded
in reaching the summit with them.
Here, however, he was completely eX-
hausted, and they, with one of those
noble impulses that SO often come to
the light in a country like this, re-
manned with him, trying their utmost
to arouse him up to a full sense Of his
peril, and partially succeeded, after
Carney had taken off the gunny sacks
which were wrapped around his own
boots and placed them upon the feet of
Mcdonald, and Penifeld Invested his
feet of the sacks in which they were
wrapped, and fastened them about the
neck and face of the benumbed man,
he also taking off his own gloves and
putting them upon McDonald's hands.
Thus while doing their utmost for their
fated companion they left themselves
completely exposed to the bitter cold
and the pelting, icy snow, threatening
the lives of all three. But it was all of
no avail. With their assistance he
managed to cross the summit flat, but
when the descent was about to be COM
menced he was unable to proceed fur
Their and they, partially frozen and en-
tirely worn out, could help him no long
er. At this particular juncture, while
while they were for moment deliber-
ating as to the best plan to adopt, an
SHON- SllNlC OCCullCNl. CStl ny
Garvey from the others down to the
bottom of the summit on this side and
burying him to his shoulders. Blinded
and stiff, he managed to work himself
out, but could not see through the storm
to those whom he had left so summari-
ly. He then made his way out to
the flat this side of the summit and had
strength enough left to drag himself to
the Paris mine cabin, which was empty.
Here he rested awhile, in doubt as to
whether to return or proceed down the
trail into Mosquito Gulch. However,
after he had somewhat recovered HIM
self, he determined to find out whether
the other two were dead or alive, and
started back toward the summit. When
about half way he met Penifeld COM
ing, who informed him that after help
ing Mcdonald about two-thirds the way
down he gave out completely, and that,
although still warm and breathing, he
| Penifeld) was obliged to leave him or
die himself .s..
With saddened hearts and worn bod
les, the two men plodded on as best
they could, struggling through drifts
armpit deep, until they finally reached
the Travelled road at Mosquito forks,
where, luckily for them, they encoun-
tered Mat Baker returning from the
London mine with his sled and team
to Alma, and were taken on board. 1t
was with the utmost difficulty that they
could be prevented from going to sleep
on the sled, which would be almost GER
tain death, there being several miles
yet to travel, and the evening intensely
cold. Only by rousing up and making
them walk a short distance could the
blood be kept in circulation and the
sleepful tendency resisted. Reaching
Alma about seven p. M, they were
warmed up, and told their tale of the
day hardships to sympathetic crowds,
amid many CALCULATIONS of commisera-
ton for themselves and pity for the fate
of their less fortunate comrade. Garvey
had an ear badly frozen and one finger
also, while Penifeld had the backs of
his hands severely blistered by frost
and the soles of his feet also touched.
The next morning Thanksgiving a
party, headed by John o. Brien, accom-
panied by Penifeld and Mai Baker
with his team, started out to bring
down the frozen man. Going as far as
the London mine with the team, the
men started on foot, and, the day being
calm, had no difficulty in discovering
the object of their search, lying where
he was left the day before, partially
buried in the snow, to which he was
frozen fast, his mouth and eyes, which
were OPEN, and his ears being filled, and
frozen solid. He was lying on his back,
one arm folded across his breast and
the other extended by his side. After
prying him out they placed him on a
hand-sled and proceeded, not without
much difficulty, to drag him across the
flat down the Paris road. When about
two-thirds of the way they left him, it
being late, and the party exhausted with
the days eXertions, unable to bring
him farther, returned to Alma, arriving
late that evening. Next morning a
second party was organized, who sue
ceeded in getting back in the middle of
the afternoon.
THE latest Kentucky romance is thus
epitomized by the Louisville Courier
journal: "Isham Dalton and wife, OF
Ballard County, separated, she taking
! an only child "a Ettio cr;rl of a;nrht u,,,,,-