The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-01-15
Two Passengers left i'm the Snow by n
Kocky-Mountain Stage Company.

The LeaQFl'le lIoi.l tleCe4le, III leceut
issue, says: 5tt
Our citizens will remember the whirling,
boisterous snow-storm that prevailed in
Leadville on New-1ear's Day, and they can
easily imagine how much more severe anC
hIindinr the storm must have been on
the bleak summit of Weston Pass. On
that day the stage line known as the
South Park Company had SO large list
of passengers that an. extra wagon was
provided, and in it four passengers took
their seats. When this comfortless vehicle
was within mile or mile and half of the
summit Of the pass on the other side the
passengers were told TO walk, or else they
could proceed no further. The driver
finally gave peremptory commands to get
out and walk. Two Of them hung OH to
the tai!-board to keep up. and to obtain
such Slight protection from the driving
snow as this slight barricade afforded
against the furious blasts coming squarely
! in their faces. AS there was room for only
two at the rear OF the wagon, the other
two passengers. Mcnamara and James
Burns. struggled and plodded along behind
in the deep snow as best they could. One
OF them, Mr.. Burns, being unaccustomed
to the high altitude, and to such strain
upon his naturally vigorous constitution,
began to Tag and to require from bis more
robust companion greater assistance than
mere words Of encouragement. The drl-
yer agreed to wait for them when the sum-
NIT was reached, and with this fond
hope to animate them they toiled forward,
and in = thoroughly exhausted condi-
ton gained the top of the range, only to eN-
perience the keen disappointment OF finds
ing the wagon gone, and themselves aban-
ca2
of the Rocky Mountains in terrible storm.
The evidence in the suit which is TO follow
this inhuman abandonment will show that
the driver waited only a few moments for
these two men, and then deliberately pro-
ceeded on his way, leaving them to make
the next station or perish in the snow.
The wind had filled the track with snow,
and only with great difficulty and delay
could they keep the road by feeling with
their feet for the beaten trail. After strug-
Cling along for mile on this side. they
stopped for consultation upon the desperate
situation in which they realized them
selves to be. Being strangers, and totally
unfamiliar with the surroundings, they
had no idea that Rocky Point Station
was only three miles from them on q
down grade, Knowing that there was a
station behind them they finally decided to
retrace their steps, and actually to!led back
to the summit and down the weary, bleak
eight miles to Platte station, where they
found shelter, food, and hospitable treat.
ment. The coach on Thursday brought
them into Leadyille, and the men actually
report that some employs OF the stage COM
pany demanded fare OF them.
Mcnamara and Burns sought legal advice,
and have placed their suit for damages in
the hands of Judge NeYison, OF the firm OF
Tankersiey e. Neyison, OF Leadville. DR..
Law being called in, examined the men, and
found one of them had leg solidiy frozen:
The doctor thrust needles into the limb, and
it's owner never aincbed. One band OF the
other is badly frozen, being somewhat more
exposed by holding blanket in front OF bis
face. The boys intend to push the suit to
the bitter end. The damages sued for will
he some $4,000 or $4,000 each.