The Russellville Democrat., 1880-01-15
pERILs OF THE PASS.
Crossing the Mosquito in the Winter
 Months.
Denyer Trlbnne.


 The inclemcnt weather prevailing during the past few weeks, and which has been remarkably severe in the high CT attitudes, is the occasion of many thrilling experiences and narrow escapes from death. The miners, many oi whom are lily provided to resist the extremes of cold and drifting snow, remain at their claims until the last crumb is eaten, and the last log burned and when forced to depart find that the snow had hidden the trails and buried the passes, and the consequences are frequently that very narrow escapes from death and suffering from very great hardships are the result. A case occurred only last week, and the narrative of the trip over the famed mosquito pass is both thrill- ing and exciting. This miner had locat- ed claim on the highest portions of the east side and, meeting with fayora- ble indications, had remained until nc cessity compelled him to abandon it un- til more favorable weather, He had re- mained in the solitude of his surround ings for month without boholding human face, or eommuning with any living thing. Protected by a tent, and with the usual accompaniment of a min- S exhaustion of his supplies compelled him to leave. Protecting himself as well as he could. binding his feet with such ma terial as he could procure, he set out for Alma, little town five miles to the east of mosquito Pass, which he reached by sundown and stayed the night. Find ing that the stages had been withdrawn, and unwilling to make tour of fifty miles via. Weston, he decided to attempt the passage to Leadville via. the Mos quito, which is only twelve miles by the usual route, undeterred by tle persua- sions of the people, and unable to pre- vail upon any one to accompany him to share his dangers. When he set out in the morning. the sun was shining and everything prophesied clear day. The first few miles no special difficulty was encountered; but on arriving at the sum- init there lay about three-fourths of mile upon the crest, where the wind blew with great fury, and the difficulties of his trip began. The road grew every moment more blind, the snow com meneed falling, and the cold was in- tense, Drifts had covered the road and hidden it from sight; the falling snow became more and more dense and beyond q few feet it was not pos sible to see straight. He persevered til a6out three.fourths over he become bewildered and lost all vestige of the track. He could neither advance nor retreat, and the consciousness of his sit uation burst upon him, ne despaired of rescue. Surrounded by snow waist high. the prospect hidden from his sight by the surrounding drifts, his face covered with thick ice from the con gealed breath which clung to his face and whiskers, benumbed with cold, it seemed impossible to escape death, but determined to make every effort, and nerved by the love ot life, he staggered on and OH, every moment apparently wandering farther and farther from the right path. But, providentially, the wind for little time seased, the snow ceased to drift, and guided by an uncov- cred portion of the trail, he managed to stagger to the path, and again to proceed. Wading through the deep snow, he reached the west end of the crest, and for a little while the way was clear to hIm, and he began the descent, but now the cold began to have its effect; its numbings retarded its progress, and only the determination of the dCs perate man prevented his falling asleep and exhausted upon the freezing road. Housing himself by efforts, each succeed ing one proving weaker than the last, after hours of superhuman labor and suf- fering, he managed to reach the saw mill of Patrick Layheye, and place of safety. He had been twelve hours in coming seven miles, and had he not been sustained by strong will ana con stitution, he must inevitably have fallen a victim to his rash attempt. Such IS an incident of miners experience; yet SO great is the fascination attending the life that even such hardships cannot dc- ter men from entering upon it.