The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1878-01-17
DEATH fN fHE DRIFTS.
Graphic Story of a Mountaineef who
Crossed Mosquito Pass in a Snow-Stor m.

Neil SdFVey, miner Well huOWn Ill
Park county, accompanied by William
Penifeld and John Mcdonald, the latter
formerly of Black Hawk, started from
Leadville, the new town III California
gulch, to walk across the Mosquito
raugs TO Alma The morning when
they left WIS fne, and the range as seen
gave no indication Of the bewildering
storm that was brewing, and witch was
destined to be the death of one Of the
psrtT. Neither of the three was clad in
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
49, ,000 feet. in the region of perpetual
snow When half way up the trail lead
ing 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 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 III :. 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 teet of McDon-
aid, and Peniffeld diTested his feet of
the sacks in which they were wrapped.
and fastened them about the neck and
face of the b6atmbed man, he also tax
ing off his own gloves and putting them
upon .McDonald's hands. Thus while
doing their utmost for their fated coE1-
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 fat, hnt when the descent was
about to be commenCcd he was unable
to proceed further, and they, partial
ly frozen and entirely worn out, could
help him no longer At this critical
juncture, While they were for moment
dehberating as to the best plan to adopt,
an immense snow-slde occurred, carry
ing Garvey from the others down to the
bottom of the summit on this side, and
burTing him to his shoulders. Blinded
and stiff, he managed to work himself
out, but could not see through the
stolm to those whom lie had left so sum-
marily. He then made his way out on
to the fiat 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 q 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 Uue QUIET TWO wO-o .lUnu
alive, and started back toward the SUM
NIT. 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, ho 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
wefe taken on board. Tt 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 ard making them walk Il
short distance could the blood be kept in
circulation and the sleepful tendency re-
sisted. Reaching Alma about 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
conrade. 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
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 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 hand sled and proceeded, not
without much difficulty, to drag him
across the fat down the Paris road.
When about 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,
arr wing late that evening. Next morn
ing a second party was organized, who
proceeded to bring him down the bal
ance Of the way, and succeeded ID get
ting back in the middle of the afternoon.
An inquest was held by Dr.. Law over
the remains, which were frozen stiff and
solid as marble, and verdict rendered in
accordance with the facts detailed above