The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-06-30
A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE.
How n Party OF Tourists were Dashed
Along 81 Prccfplce's Edge.
[From the Evansville CourIcr.l

From MIS-. hOmaS T.. GarYln, VINO re-
turned early on Saturday morning from an
extended pleasure trip 10 California and
the wonders Of nature OF that great State,
we gathered the following particulars rela-
tive to the miraculous escape OF herself and
party from au almost instantaneous death
while returning from 4 visit 10 the Yosc-
mite Valley. When it IS understood
that the hill-road down which they
came, drawn by six maddened horses,
i cui ont OF the rock, With roadway only
sufficient for vehicle to pass over, on one
side precpicc Of 1000 icct in depth and on
the other 4 bluff clifi, their escape can well
be looked on as marvellous. The party oc-
cnnvinc the stage consisted OF Mr.. and Mrs.
W. s. CulDcrlson and daughter, OF New Al
bany: Mrs Thomas f. Garyln, Mr. Jones
and his TWO sisters, and Mr.. Smith, OF San
Francisco; Captain Brewer ana daughter'
and 4 Miss Rogers, Of Boston-eIeVen IN
all-lcft the Priest Hotel, situated at the top
OF the ln! leading to the Chinese camp at
$50 O'Clock in The evening. The moon
was shining with unusual briliancy, and
they anticipated delightful view Of the
country beneath them. The horSes-siX
in numbcr-on account OF the sudden
and short turns in the road, are hitch
ed three abreast. Shortly after leav-
ing the hotel the traces OF the mid
die horse Of the leaders became detached,
which caused him TO run away and take the
others with him. For nearly mile down
the road, with yawning abyss below them,
were the party carried by the runaway team.
They all knew what had happened, but not
q word was spoken. When nearly mile
from the starting poiut, and ut the first turn
in the road, the front wheel OF the stage
came in contact with the rock bluff and was
instantly shattered, and most fortunately
so. The stage was, OF course, thrown
over toward the bluff. Had it been
the other wheel the whole party
would have been dashed over tic precl-
pice with scarcely Il hope that single
member of it would have been left to
tell the tale. The horses tore loose from
the stage, carrying the front axle and its at
tcudant wheel with them. and they ran un'
til they exhausted themselves: and so Sc
verely were they injured that one OF them
had TO be shot, while the others vii! be
probably forever unfit for service. Ol
course. when the stage struck the bluff it,
passengers were all thrown forward, and
several OF them out upon the ground, Mr..
Jones and Mr.. Cu!bcrt>on both being
thrown to the ground, with the latter
lalllUL WIFI UlS NlIOt "Clehl tlbsl Nit
body OF the former. Mrs. Culhertson was
thrown under the stage and Mrs. GarTin
thrown out towards the precipice. For
tunately, her clothing became in some
way entangled, which held her on the
wheel OF the stage. All were seriously IN
iured eXcept Captain Brewer, Mr.. Smith,
and Miss Rogers. Mr.. Jones's injuries has
ere this proved fatal, rs he has Il leg and
arm broken and was injured internally.
Mrs. Garvin suffered very severe contll-
sions OF the head and back, the latter
caused by a trunk that was Oh the boot OF
the stage being thrown against her. Mrs.
Culbertson had one OF her earrings torn
out, while the other only hung by thread
of flesh, and the setting had been forced
into her neck, causing it to bleed most pro-
fuselv upon the Jewel being Withdrawn.
Mr.. Culbertsun suffered from n spraincd
ankle, and Miss Brewer suffered in.
terna injuries, from the effects OF
which she remained unconscious un.
til the next day. No blame was attached tc
the driver Of the stage, as he was known tC
be one OF the most careful on the line, and
had been in the employ Of the company fol
over twelve years. The entire party wrrt
taken back to the hotel, where they were
| compelled TO remain for three days before
| being able TO start on the return journey
All tue parties, with the exception OF Mr.
Jones, were in fair way of recovery whel
Mrs. Garvin left San Francisco. Their es
cape WAS one OF these incidents that some
times occur in lives OF people that is hare
to be accounted for. Anywhere during Tn
maddcncd ride they night have been throw
over the prccipice. whose trec-tops wer
lust disccrnbic while the roots OF other
exposed by the making OF The road wer
visible on the bluff opposite.