The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1880-08-06
EATEN BY MOUNTAIN LIONS.
Terrible Death of a PrOspecfOr in the
GunniSon Country.
IFrom the LeadYille Democrat.l

From the LeadYille Democrat
A most horrible and CHASTITY llustra-
ton of the experiences Of man in his as
siduous pursuit of wealth is that which
was given to the reporter yesterday
morning by a party of prospectors who
had just returned from the Gunnison
districts, and who are now encamped on
the Arkansas river. The following mar
ration will be valuable to those contem-
plating a visit to those regions, and viii
serve to admonish them In way that
they will fortify themselves not only
against one predicament, but against a
multiplicity that might arise On or
about the LIST of July, two prospectors
completed their outfit at Pitkin, and de-
parted in search of pay dust and salable
holes. They Travelled on for some days
and stopped only for a few hours now
and then to examine the deceptive rock
that arose before them on both sides. They
atlastreachedasm valley in themount-
aims and were passing through it, when
suddenly number of mountain lions
made their appearance and started i'm
mediately for their prey. One of the
men made an effort to repel the attack
from these hideous beasts, while the
other sought protection in his legs, and,
running to projecting rock on the
mountain side. was enabled to see the
terrible encounter between his comrade
and the lions. There they were III
bloody battle, while the shining claws
of the beasts were seen to combine and
strip the flesh from the man, who was
battling with the stock of his gun. The
coward, who unfortunately lived to tell
his story, says that suddenly the pros
pector was on the ground and that his
enraged adversaries were devouring him.
Thinking that possibly one man would
not appease their appetites, the locker
on thought it about time to leave, and
so fastened away. He was now without
any weapon against the invasion OF
hunger or the chill mountain weather,
and his only recourse from inev-
liable death was to reach a
camp To return through the valley he
dared not, and by making a circuitous
route he trusted that he would strike
the trail. It was almost dark and a
slight rain began to fall. He started on,
however, and wanted to reach the trail
before night was there to lead him astray
with her myriads of star-ights. This
was when he committed his error, for he
wandered from the right direction, and
wearied and discouraged he sat down
and built fire. The light came to sue
cor him, but now hunger advanced, and
soon visions of comfortable cabin and
plenty of food danced before him, as if
gloating upon his misery. He did not
succeed in finding the trail that day.
andwhen nightfal1 came he ate afew pine
burrs and laid down exposed to the ele-
ments again. This continued for eight
days and nights. and at last he accident
ally discovered trail. He reached this.
and when he should have been overioyed
at his prospects all hope seemed to
desert him, and he laid down, not
caring what came. He remained there
some hours probably when a party OF
prospectors came along and found him
almost unconscious. They administered
a little brandy and succeeded in reviv-
ing him. A meal was prepared, but his
stomach, that had been denied food fol
so many days, refused to retain it. He
was taken up and strapped upon horse,
being unable to keep his seat without it,
and the narrow condition of the trail
preventing them from riding beside and
supporting him. The reporters inform
ants met the party with the man shortly
afterward, and halting them elected the
above, but neglected to ascertain the
names of the unfortunate prospectors.
The man with his days of starvation was
almost reduced into nothingness, while
his fissured lips and cheek-bon that
appealed for aid presented a revolving
picture. The man will, no doubt, fol
low his friend into eternity, but in q
way not so tragic and horrible.