Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-03-27
our INA BLIzzARD.


SE2UI4mtGR EXDGIlGmCe ON Inc lf1eAt
Plains 81 Nebraska.
letter to the Chicago Times from camp
on White river, Nebraska. narrateS the follow
ing experience OF q winter trip In the north
western part OF that state:
ments on the Platte river, and Travelled north
east until we struck Rawhfde creek, where we
took good lunch. There is not human hab-
ttatiOn on the whole route, and only serted
cabin near the crossing. The bushes along the
banks Of the stream were covered with ice,
which sparkled gaily enough in the bright sum
shine Some wolves watched us as we passed
along, and we thought they were reconnointer-
Ing q flock Of sheep on the hill-sides. but the
sheep proved to be sagebrush bushes covered
cept an occasional prairie hare, who went
bounding over the ground as II made OF India
rubber. Beyond the creek we came upon sew
to get any satisfactory shots at them. On we
rolled until we reached the Running Water, or
Niobrara, where we met several friends. At
this place there are two cabins Of the most
primitive construction, one being made OF hewn
logs, and the other of sods. There are few
cattle and horses here, who seem to have all
they can do to get living.
From the Niobrara we went over on to the
he ad of White Earth river, once the favorite
camping ground OF the Sioux Indians, and as
IL g. the snow fell in quiet kind Of a way
through the air, and soon everything was OF the
same color except the river, which was very
were bowling along pleasantly enough when
our wagon tongue gave way just as we crossed
rough bridge. 1t was about dark, and we were
ia fine fix, with little or nothing to eat, no
shelter and the cold increasing every moment.
Some Mexicans were encamped just above where
the accident occurred. and rendered us what
aid they could in fixing up our wagon.
1t was considerably after dark when we got
started again, and certainly we had not pro-
g. essed more than half mile before the tongue
broke again. This time there was no help and
we crept into the bushes where we soon had a
blight fire started and plenty of wood lay close
by. AS we went In we started q noble black
tailed deer, which. like ourselves, was seeking
the shelter of the bushes, and though one OF
our party fired at it as soon as he could he
missed 1t. and we were obliged to go without
our supper. Not pleasant prospect, as any
one must admit. The snow came Sitting down
through the bushes. and in the darkness and
dreariness round about we prepared to spend
the night.
In the meantime however, one of the party
mounted horse and started for the nearest
settlement, about twelve miles distant, to see
what could be done toward getting some help.
Near midnight he returned with another vehi-
Gle, and we pushed on through the driving snow
ana cold trying to get to the settlement. 1t
was well toward morning before we saw IL e
friendly light In one OF the houses, ana before
long were inside and partaking Of some Of the
good cheer OF the proprietor.
The following morning was one of the most
forbiddlng ones ever witnessed, the SHOW be-
ing piled up In great drifts, and the hoary ckS
looking bare and Scraggy enough. Even the
trees stood shaking as II from cold, and the
poor cattle were pinched up until they did not
bones stuck out all over them. and you could
fairly hear their joints crack as they passed
along. In returning up the White Earth river,
few days afterward, the hind axle Of our
rolling away on the snow, so that we will not
soon forget the events of the trip.