The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1878-01-03
DEATH In THE DRIFTS.
Graphic story Of a Mountaineer who
Crossed Mosquito Pass in snow-storm.


Neil Garvey, q miner well known in
Park county, accompanied by William
Penideld and John Mcdonald, the latter
formerly Of Black Hawk, started from
Leadville, the new town in California
gulch, to walk across the MOSQUITO
range to Alma. The morning when
they left was fine, and the range as seen
gave no Indication of the bewildering
storm that was brewing, and which was
destined to be the death of one of the
party. Neither of the three was clad Ia
a manner calculated to insure protection
against range storm, and had the day
been fine they might 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 lead
ing from Evans guleh 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 endeaYored to cheer him
up, and TINS encouraged he succeeded
in reaching the summit with them.
Here, however, ne was completely ex-
hausted, and they, with one of those
noble impulses that so often come to the
light in a country like this, remained
with him, trying their utmost to rouse
him up to full sense of his peril, and
partially succeeded, after Garvey had
taken off the gunny sacks which were
wrapped around his own boots and
| placed them about the feet of Melon
aid, 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 TAX
ing off his own gloves and putting them
upon McDonald's hands. Thus while
doing their utmost for their fated COM
panion they left themselves completely
exposed to the bitter cold and the pelt-
ing, icy snow, threatening the lives of all
three. But it was of no avail. With
their assistance he managed to cross the
summit fiat, but when the descent was
about to be commenced he was unable
to proceed further, and they, partial
ly frozen and entirely worn out, could
help him no longer. At this critical
iuncture, while they were for moment
celebrating as to the best plan to adopt,
an immense snow-slide occurred, carry
| ing 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 sum-
marily. He then made his way out on
to the fat this side Of the summit, and
had strength enough left to drag him
self to the Paris mine cabin, which
was empty. Here he rested while, in
doubt as to whether to return or proceed
down the trail into Mosquito gulch.
| However, after he had somewhat recov-
cred himself, he determined to find out
whether the other two were dead or
alive, and started back toward the sum-
mt. When about half way, be met
Penifeld coming, who informed him that
after helping Mcdonald about two
thirds the way down he gave out com
pletely, and that, although still warm
and breathing, he (Penifeld) was
obliged to leave him Or die himself.
With saddened hearts and worn bodies,
the two men plodded along the best they
could, struggling through drifts armpit
deep, until finally they reached the
travelled road at Mosquito forks, where,
luckily for them, they encountered Matt
Baker returning from the London mine
with his sled and team to Alma, and
were taken on board. It was with the
utmost difficulty that they could be pre-
vented from going to sleep in the sled,
which would be almost certain death,
there being several miles yet to travel,
and the evening intensely cold. Only
by rousing up and making them walk q
short distance could the blood be keptin
circulation and the sleepful tendency re-
sisted. Reaching Alma about 7 p, M,
they were warmed up, and told their
tale Of the days hardships to sympa-
thetic crowds, amid many CALCULATIONS
Of commiseration for themselves and
pity for the fate Of their less fortunate
comrade. Garvey had an ear badly
frozen and one finger also, while Peni-
field had the backs of his hands severely
blistered by frost and the soles of his
feet also touched. The next morning a
party, headed by John O'Brien. accom-
panied by Penifeld and Matt Baker, with
his team, started out to bring down the
frozen man. Going as far as the Lon
don mine with the team, the men start
ed 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 filed, 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 hand-sled and proceeded, not
without much difficulty, to drag him
across the fiat down the Paris road.
When about two-thirds the way they left
him, it being late, and the party, ex-
hausted with the days exertions, unable
to bring him further, returned to Alma,
arriving late that evening. Next morn
ing second party was organized, who
proceeded to bring him down the bal
ance of the way, and succeeded in get