Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1880-06-09
Snow-Bound in a Sierra Cabin.
FROM the San krancisco Bulletin.

| puUW-OVuIlu III d ClcIId OoUius
From the San rancisco Bulletin.
Twice in my experience as miner III
California have | been Bound in By i'm
psssable barriers of snow on the foot
hills of the Sierra Nevada. The FIRST
time l had q single companion. We
had been mining in an isolated but rich
gulch where we had constructed rude
cabin. We knew at that time nothing
of the great snow storms of the Sierra,
so we had neglected to lay in provisions
or fuel, and up to this time bad pro-
cured wood from the scattering pine
trees on the mountain sides, but on
rising one morning we found at least
two feet of snow fallen. 1t continued
al, day long, and when We rose next
morning we found our me little win
dow darkened. We managed to make
hole through corner Of the roof Of
our cabin, when down came q wagon
load Of snow and in came a flood of
light. We succeeded in shoveling
away the snow from the roof and out
of our cabin, but the snow kept on
coming down all day, and on the arri-
val Of the next day We we're again in
darkness, and again we tolled for light.
During this day the storm abated, but
the snow mao fallen to depth of more
than ten feet, aud We were prisoners.
Here for three weary weeks we were
compelled to stay. We bad burned up
every scrap Of furniture in our cabin
except the long boards on the bottom
of our hunks. Even the chinking and
clspboards on the inside of our cabin,
and the handles of our shovels and tools
were consumed. Our meat had been
gone more than q week, and We had
eateu all our beans and were entirely
destitute. 1t had showed every day a
little, so as to keep the snow soft on
top, and it was impossible to walk
through 1t, or in any way change our
location or situation.
We could see nothing before US but
death, either from cold or starvation.
Each looked upon the other with sus-
picion each thought the other would
take his life if he could without losing
his own. This was our horrible condI-
tion, when suddenly the hole above our
heads was darkened, and We heard a
voice say, "Is there anybody down
there 2" A shout of joy and surprise
was the response.
"who are you, and how did you get
here z" we asked"
81 am Snow shoe Thompson l
oamo here on snow Shoes" he answered.
{" Help Us out; We ara starving"
In another minute Thompson was in
our midst. He gave US some cheese
and crackers, which we eagerly devour-
ed. He asked US if We had any tools
with which he could make for Us each a
pair of snow shoes. We had burned
the handles of all our tools, except a
hand saw and a drawing kDife. lie
took these, however, and out of the
long boards which composed the bot
tom of our bunk soon shaped for US
each pair of snow-shoes. They were
we're about twelve feet long and four
inches wide, shaped So as to turn up at
the front end, something like a sleigh
runner; pieces of leather were tackled
across the center INTO which the trav-
eler's feet are slipped.
After you learn how to travel with
these, you find that the process is SIM
liar to skating. To the best of my
recollection, at my first essay felt
much as should suppose taad would
feel on stills. After series of evolu-
tions that would puzzle a professional
acrobat, got fairly under way. l can
give you no idea of the exhilaratlon
produced by a wild, freDzied rush
through the air, as it were. upon snow
shoes. l started down slight slope of
the mountain with no ambition to out
run the wind, or professor Snow-shoes"
either, can assure you. 1t was glo-
rious, so | thought, as | sailed along at
moderate speed, with no effort except
to try to guide the machine with the aid
of long, slim pole which 'Snow-shoes"
had loaned me, but when | commenced
going down a steep side of a mountain
and shot forward like an arrow from the
strong bow of an archer. it was DO
longer SO glorious. The velocity with
which l travelled was marvellous Twas
unable to clearly distinguish objects
which passed. An occasional pine
tree shot past me with a zip like can
non ball and made my BRAIN whirl.
Down | went, faster aud faster. |
shot across table-land or level space
at speed somewhat absted, then |
started up a slope Of the Dountsin,
then | eame to steep place aud then
my snow shoes stopped, but went on
head foremost into a snow bank, SO
deep that my feet seemed to be the
only par, Of my person a was able to
move. Iudeed, was so deeply buried
in the snow that only my feet stuck
out / couldn't breathe or move, so
tight was l wedged in. exerted
every effort, but it was utterly in vain,
aud realized that death would ensue
in very few moments. tried to call
far hep, but could not produce sound
When all hope had vanished, and | felt
my brain reeling, some one began TO
tug at my fee: aud in another moment
| was brought to the light again. Old
"Snow shoes" had followed me and got
to me just in time to save my life for
the second time. One hour later we
were all safe 10 the camp.
The Altoona Tribune furnishes the
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