Millheim Journal. [volume] (Millheim, Pa.) 1876-1984, 1880-09-09
Eaten by Mountain Lions,

On or about the lst of July two prospect
ors completed their outfit at Pitkin, Colo
RADIO, and departed in search of pay dust and
saleable holes. They travelled on for some
days, and stopped only for few hours now
and then To examine the deceptive rock that
rose before them on both sides. They at
last reached II small valley in the mountains
and were passing through 1t, when sudden
ly number of mountain lions made their
appearance and started Immediately for
their prey. One OF the men made an effort
TO repel the attack of the hideOus beasts,
while the other sought protection In his legs,
and, running TO a projecting rock on the
mountain side, was enabled TO see the terri
bic encounter between his comrade and the
lions. They were in bloody battle, while
the shiuing 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 pro-
spector was on the ground and that his en-
ragged adversaries were devOuring him.
Thinking that possibly one man would not
appease their appetites, the locker on
thought il about time 10 leave and SO has
tened away. He was now without any
weapon against the invasion of hunger or
the chill mountain weather, and his only
recourse from inevitable death was 10 reach
camp. To return through the valley he
dared not, and by making a circuitous
route he trusted that he would strike
trail. He started ON, however, and wanted
to reach the trail before night was there to
10. l..
lights. This was where he committed his
error, for he wandered from the right di-
recUion, and wearied and discouraged, he
sat down and built fire. The light came To
succor him, but now hunger advanced, and
soon visions of a comfortable cabin and
plenty of food danced before him, as if
glOating upon his misery. He did not sue
cecd in finding the trail that day. and when
nightfall came he ate few pine burrs and
laid down exposed to the elements again
This continued for eight days and nights,
and at last he accidentally discovered a
trail. He reached this, and when he 81 ould
have been ovcrjoyed at his prospects, all
hope seemed to desert him aud he laid
down, not caring what came. He remained
there some hours probably, when a party
OF prcspcctors calne along and found him
almost unconscious. They administered a
little brandy and succeeded in reviving him.
A Ii Ill was prepared, but his stomach, that
had been denied food for SO many days,
refused 10 retainit. He was taken up and
strapped upon horse, beng unable To keep
his seat without il, and the narrow condi-
ton OF the trail prevented them from riding
beside and supporting hiH. The reporters
informants met the party with the man
shortly aflerward, ,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 tissured
lips and cheek-bones that appealed for aid
presented a revolving picture. The man
will, no doubt, follow his friend into eter
nifty, but i'll way not so tragic and horri-
bic.