Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-01-11

IL ~ We UtH HeT kccCcN CHttUFeB hcep-
ing Watch Ocer the Remains Of Her
Husband, Killed By accident IN the
Mountains Of Colorado "A Pathetic
Story.
w. H. Ostrom, who is well known in
Denver, having formerly resided here,
started last week with his wife and
eight children from a ranch in Point
Grove Gulch in Jefferson county, upon
which he has lived for the last few years
for distance of about 90 miles to a
small park on the South Platte, where
he expected to spend the winter. Mr..
Ostrom had previously visited the park,
and had built house for the protection
OF his family. He had removed most OF
his effects, and last Friday started with
his family and a few articles of house.
hold furniture and wearing apparel.
When the travellers were about three
miles from the place where they intend
ed to stop, the wagon was overturned
cident. They had passed over the
toughest portion Of the road, and about
4 O'Clock came to small stream, over
which a man could step with ease. The
team was composed of pair of mules,
and one Of them SHE'D, throwing the
wagon to one side and upon an obstruc-
ton. The shock was so great as to
overturn the wagon. The party aboard
consisted Of Mr.. 0strom, his wife and
seven children. Mrs. Ostrom and the
children were thrown off some distance
TO one side. Mr.. Ostrom, thinking they
would be hurt, threw himself under the
wagon to prevent its falling upon them.
He was borne to the ground and was
caught sqUarely under the crossbar of
the wagon bed. There was a weight Of
fully 1900 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 bruis-
ed but none seriously injured. She gotI
upon her feet as soon as possible, and
found her husband in the condition as
described. His face was very pale, and
the lady was, Of course, frightened.
She began to cry, as did the children
also. He was not unable to speak and
ne assured her that he was not greatly
hurt. He told her to get lever ard
pry the wagon off him. She tried, but
could not move it, the weight being far
beyond the capacity Of a strong man.
She did everything i'll her power, but to
no avail. He grew paler and paler, and
in less than five minutes after the acci-
dent occurred died.
At this time the oldest son. who was
driving a 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 uncouple the wagon and drag it off
with the mules. No means would avail
anything to restore life. There were
the poor woman and eight children
fifteen miles from a human being in
the heart Of the Rocky Mountains. and
night then upon them. The eldest of
the children was but fourteen, and the
others were very small. Right here
bears and mountain lions abound. and
an old hunter told a reporter Of the
Tribune that he would consider stay
ing il this place during a night a very
hazardous undertaking.
But there was not alternative. The
nearest house that could be reached was
through the mountains, that they had
Travelled during the day. So with the
dead body Of her husband lying in
sheet beside her, and her children and
the beasts Of the mountain wilds to
keep her company, the womon deter
mined to spend tie night.
a big fire was built. and the children
were made as comfortable as possible.
But at this season Of the year it is very
cold in the mountains, and do what she
might the little ones suffered. She new
er thought other own comfort. and she
and her oldest boy kept the lonely vigil
through the almost endless and very dark
night. The mountains rose thousands
Of feet all around them, but their dark
shadows only served to render the scene
more dreary.
At last morning dawned, and with the
first ray Of light she began to make pre-
parat;ons for her return. The wagon
was coupled together and the team at
tached. The Children and the dead body
Of her husband were put on the wagon,
and the party began to retrace their
footsteps. The body had frozen stiff
during the night. The road was so bad
that they did not reach any house until
nine O'Clock Saturday night. Mr.. Will
liam Flening's ranch was uext reached,
and here the corpse was taken charge Of
by that gentleman. A coffin was i'm
proyised and Nh. Fleming started for
Denver Sunday with the remains. He
reached this place yesterday morning,
having travelled all Sunday night and a
great part Of the day previous, through
the snow storm. Mrs. Ostrom followed
and arrived yesterday, bringing her chill
dren with her. Mr.. Ostrom came from
Mobile, Alabama, to Denver in 1867
He was a carpenter, and was first
class workman. He VAS man Of retin-
ed manners and very popular. About
three years ago be moved to this ranch,
and has since resided here. On account
of the grasshoppers he did not prosper,
but left food and clothing for his family
to last during the winter. He was about
forty-dye years Of age.