The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1878-06-06
A Marvellous Escape.

As much interest as there may be at
tached to the war between the contend
ing railroads in the Grand Canon of
the Arkacsas, no occurrence has trans
pired in that locality which has attract
ed 50 much attention and sympathy at
an accident which recently happened
to Mrs. e. J. Mallett, Of Canon City.
Mrs. Mallett is an excellent horscwoman,
and, having great confidence in her rid
ing skill, started out. last Sunday after
noon with her husband and other friends
on horseback to visit the scene of opera
ton IN the Canon. Of all the wonderful
canons in Colorado the Grand Canon of
the Arkansas is the most awe inspiring.
The walls are 1900 feet high at places,
and almost perpendicular. Before oper-
atiops were begun within them by the
railroad men no one ever attempted to
pass through the gorge except during
the winter and then on ice.
The laborers have, however, made paths
in the very sides of the immense preci.
pices, and it was along one Of these that
Mrs. Mallett and her friends We're travel
ing. She rode trusty horse, and was as
composed as any OF her party. They lad
proceeded to point beyond the horse
trail, and were descending steep hill.
The path was narrow one, the walls OF
the canon shooting far up toward the
blue, clear sky, and down for hundreds
Of feet, until they dipped into the dis
turbed waters of the rapid, rolling Ar
kansas. 1t was at this dangerous spot
that Mrs. Maliett's horse stumbled and
Tell. There was no room for the least falt-
er. This was, therefore, a fatal step.
Mrs. Mallett, with almost incredible
presence OF mind, disentangled herself
from her horse. Below her, ten feet, was q
shelving rock, about fifteen inches wide.
This she struck and caught with her
hands. With nerve that would have
made the sterncr sex proud Of manhood,
the lady held on to the end of the rock,
dangling in the air, gripping il with des-
peration. Had she let 60, her next lodg-
ment would have been on another shelf
fifty feet below. To hold on was there
fore her only resort. With all the dis
patch possible Mr.. Mallett and others came
to her rescue, and succeeded in taking
her from the perilous situation, almost
uninjurcd, but Of course very much ex-
hausted from fright.
Now comes the strangest part of the
story. The horse fell and lodged on the
same shelf to which his mistress was cling.
ing. In falling he had turned complete
~ around but there he stood on the narrow
ledge of stone, hugging the wall. and
evidently realizing his position, if ever
horse realized anything. He did not stir
muscle, hardly brcatheo,. for an hour OF
more, until ropes strong enough to take
out were sent for and obtained ut a camp
mile distant. BY the time these arrived
fifty men or more who were engaged in
the canon had gathered along the trail,
and as many rs could make themselves
useful assisted in lifting the animal up.
He seemed to realize fully that steps were
being taken for his rcllef, and did not
move to make resistance until he was
placed upon sure footing in the path.
The escape of Mrs. Mallett, under the
circumstances, is little less than miracu-
lous. and that tho horse should have been
saved is almost incredible. The accident
and the rescue, have proved prolific
themes OF conversation in Canon, aud the
first report caused corresponding excite
ment. Mrs. Mallett, is the wife of Prof.
Mallctt, who is the proprietor of the
reduction works at Canon.-Denrcr (Col)
Tribune.