Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1880-03-22
THE PERlLs OF THE LAKE.


cross the lake an the ice from Wlllsboro,
on the afternoon of March Sd. One of |
the actors, A. III. Munson of Utica, n
T., has given a reporter of the Troy
Times the following account of the per-
ilous adventure On going to the ice
boat Mr.. Munson found the ferryman,
one Somers, with his boat on the ice
awaiting the arrival of Miss Hattie An
derson, daughter of Capt. William An
derson of this city, who has been visit
ing friends on the New York side and
desired to return to her home that after
noon, and it was speedily arranged that
Mr.. Munson should be given seat in
the craft. Upon the appearance of Miss
Anderson preparations were made for
the start, and as the wind was blowing
briskly in favorable direction a quick
transit was anticipated.
When Mr.. Nunson was about to get
into the boat Somers said the ice was
pretty soft "but there's only one bad
place and l guess we'll get over that all
right" This rather startled Mr.. Mum
son, but as Miss Anderson manifested
no fear he supposed Somers had exag-
gerated the danger, and prepared for the
start. The boat was soon under head
way, and half mile was quickly ira
versed when the boat was brought to a
sudden standstill by cutting entirely
through the ice. Even this mishap did
not appear to disturb Miss Anderson's
composure, for, when asked by Mr.. Mum
son if they had not better return to New
York. she said decidedly. "No !" She
had started for Vermont, and she meant
to 60 to Vermont if it were possible
thing The boat was placed upon firm
ice again, and the trio took their seats
preparatory for another start. The ice
seemed to be growing perceptibly weak
er, and before mile had been passed
Mr.. Somers stopped the boat telling Mr..
Munson that he would have to get out
until he took Miss Anderson over and
then he would return for him. So Mr..
Munson was left standing on the ice and
Mr.. Somers slowly continued towards
Vermont with his fair passenger, who
manifested no unwillingness to proceed
although she said she knew there was
danger ahead. The danger was encoun-
tered before the boat had gone quarter
Of mile, for directly in the course Of
the boat large air hole suddenly ap-
peared, which was only avoided by turn
ing the boat quickly around and return
ing to the place where Mr.. Munson had
been left. Mr. Somers then searched
alone for solid ice, and soon found a
narrow strip stretching toward Yer
mont The party was then in the mid
die of the lake. and it appeared to be
utterly impossible to cross the remaining
distance in safety, but Miss Anderson
persisted In her desire to proceed, and
once more she started with Mr.. Somers
on her perilous journey. The breeze
freshened and under good headway the
boat reached the thin, treacherous look
ing ice, and was soon half way over.
Suddenly crash was heard and Mr..
Munson, who had been anxiously watch
ing the attempt of the boatman and his
fearless companion, was horrifed at see
ing the boat plunge into the lake.
He rushed to their assistance at the
risk of his own life, and as portion Of
the boat remained on the ice. little diff
ficulty was experienced in getting Miss
Anderson to place of comparative safe
ty. Mr. Somers was then compelled tC
abandon the idea of crossing with the
ice boat, and was about to turn back te
the New York shore when two men were
observed approaching from the Vermont
side on skates, pushing light cutter
They had observed the predicament Of
the party and hastened to the. rescue
Miss Anderson was placed in the cutter
and the skaters, with Mr.. Munson, start
ed for the Green Mountain State, but
they were soon compelled to separate, il
being apparent that the Ice was mo-
strong enough to bear the united weigh
of the party, and one of the skaters re
mained with Miss Anderson, while tht
other one and Mr.. Munson started alone
The appearance of the ice indicated thai
a general breakup was soon to occur
and it came sooner than was anticipated
Before Vermont was reached the ice sud
denly separated between the party ant
the shore. and the clear water presented
an Observation-Disclosures pdIiieI W en0h PAo
gress. No course was left but to turl
back and hasten toward New York
This was quickly done, but the ice con
tinued to break up around them ant
! their danger increased at every step
,, Large cracks appeared in what an in
slant before looked like solid ice, an,
when near enough to New York to Sc
the situation there it was discovers
that the ice had also disappeared fror
that shore The bells at Essex wer
rung, whistles were blown, and crow
of excited persons congregated along th