The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1879-03-06

of much interest. Sentinel.
Exciting Experiences Of Three Cana.
dian Ice-Cutters.
YESTERDAY morning, about eight
O'Clock, a number of workmen were
busily engaged in cutting ice from the
river, about two miles above Walker
vile. Three of them-Eugene Gavil-
lot, Andrew Nelson and John Tigbe-
were at work on sheet of ice, about
thirty yards from the Canadian shore.
In q few minutes one of them looked
up from his work and suddenly cried
out:
"My God, we're cut adriftr'
His companions, alarmed at the cry,
also looked up, and, to their astonish-
ment, saw that they had become sew
cred from the main body of ice, and
were slowly drifting down the river.
One of them Immediately sprang for
ward with the intention of plunging in
to the water and swimming to the near
est cake of solid ice, but was restrained
by his more cool companions. On
calmly taking in the situation they
were at first disposed to treat the mat
ter lightly, but in a very short time
they began to realize the dangerous pO-
sition in which they were placed.
Their craft was cake of ice about fif-
teen feet square, and the only parts
of it that possessed anything like SUBJ
stantial solidity were the center and a
portion of one end.
Slowly but surely they hoated down
the river, their course being almost a
direct line, about forty yards from the
shore. The other workmen were en-
ployed close to the shore and apparent
ly did not notice the accident, notwith-
standing the fact that the drifting men
shouted to them as Justify as the
strength of their lungs would permit.
Just opposite the root of Belle Isle a
stiff breeze sprang up, and the ice on
which they floated was tossed about by
the waves in 4 reckless manner, and
for a moment the men thought they
must surely be upset. The wind con-
tinued to blow stronger and stronger,
and the faces of the men blanched with
terror as they glanced out upon the
cold, cruel waves that seemed so eager
/
death. Not vessel or craft of any
kind was in sight, and no one on shore
seemed to notice their perilous posi-.
ton.
Suddenly q crack was heard, and in
another moment five feet of the ice haC
become detached from one end of the
cake. Two of the unfortunates, neither
of whom could swim a stroke, were
suffering from the greatest terror and
soon lost all presence of mind. Their
restless movements caused the ice to
tip from side to side, and were it not
for the cool self-possession of the
Frenchman, Gavillot, some if not all Of
them would have been precipitated
into thewater. Gavillot had all along
urged the men to be calm and not gel
discouraged, but had not been success
full. One of the two frightened men
Nelson, was quite old, and partly
through sheer fright, and partly by
reason of his age, seemed unable tt
keep his feet, thus being the means o
tossing the ice from side to side
Finally Gavillot besought his compan
ions, if they valued their lives, to COM
10 the center of the lake and lie down
They obeyed him, and the ice moves
along more steadily.
The cold was intense, and the suffer
ings of the men were almost unendur
able. When opposite VAUDEVILLE tn
wind died down, and the speed of thei
icy float was abated, but soon Their
sprang up stiff breeze from the north
which, although oppressively cold
caused them to drift in toward shore
Gradually but surely they advanced
toward their haven, and soon a CT,
from the land, of Hello, there, what
the matter?' caused them to expert
ence the joyous feeling that they wer
saved.
A small boat put out from the Grea
Western Railway ferry slip, past whic
they were drifting, and the unfortunat
trio were rowed safely to the dock
. All suffered more or less from the cold
particularly Nelson, of whom tn
; greatest care will have to be taken, i
order that serious results may b
averted.
The distance traversed by the me
was nearly three miles, and they wer
about two hours and half floating o
the ice. The river is now fortunatel
free from ice from the foot of Bell
Isle to some distance below the city
and consequently the men met with n
distractions. Had they done so,
would have gone harder with theE.-
! Detroit Post and Tribune.