Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1880-03-12
The Perils Of the Lake.

A TERRIBLE sITUArIoN-AN ICE EoAT AND IFS
OCCUPANTS SUBMERGED IN LAKE CHAM
PLAIN-THRILLING ADVENTURE AND MIEAC-
ULou5 EsCAPE-FLoATING on ICE IN TIE
MIDDLE OF TIE LAKE.
We have already chronicled the narrow
escape of a party who attempted to cross the
lake on the ice from IWillsboro, on the after
noon of March Sd. One of the actors, A. ii.
Munson of Utica, n. Y, has given report
er of the Troy Times the following account
of the perilous adventure; On going to the
ice boat Mr.. Munson found the ferryman,
one Somers, With his boat on the ice await
ing the arrival of Miss Hattie Anderson,
daughter of Capt. William Anderson of this
city, who had been visiting friends on The
New York side and desired to return TO her
home that afternoon, and it was speedily
arranged that Mr.. Munson should be given 4
seat in the craft. Upon the appearance OF
Miss Anderson preparations were made Tor
the start, and as the wind was blowing brisk
" in favorable direction quick transit was
anticipated.
When Mr.. Munson was about to get into
the boat Somers said the ice was pretty soft
''but there's only one bad place and l guess
we'll get over that all right" This rather
startled Mr. Munson, but as Miss Anderson
manifested no fear he supposed Somers had
exaggerated the danger, and prepared for the
start. The boat was soon under Roadway,
and half mile was quickly traversed when
the boat was brought TO sudden staadstill
by cutting entirely through the ice. Even
this mishap did not appear to disturb Miss
Anderson's composure, for, when asked
by Mr.. Munson if they had not better return
to New York, she said decidedly, Mo-
She had started for Vermont, and she meant
to 60 to Vermont if 1t were 4 possible thing.
The boat was placed upon firm ice again, and
the trio took their seats preparatory for
another start. The ice seemed to be grow
ing perceptibly weaker. and before mile
had been passed Mr. Somers stopped the
boat, telling Mr.. Munson that he would have
to get out until he took Miss Anderson over
and then he would return for him. So Mr..
Munson was left standing on the ice and
Mr. Somers slowly continued towards Yer
mont with his fair passenger, who manifest
ed no unwillingness 10 proceed, although she
said che knew there was danger ahead. The
danger was encountered before the boat had
gone quarter of mile, for directly in the
course of the boat Il large air hole suddenly
appeared, which was only avoided by turn
ing the boat quickly around and returning to
the place where Mr. Munson had been left.
Mr.. Somers then searched alone for solid ice,
and soon found n narrow strip stretching to-
ward Vermont. The party was then in the
middle of the lake. and it appeared 10 be ut
terly impossible TO cross the remaining dis
lance in safety, but Miss Anderson persisted
in her desire 10 proceed, and once more she
started with Mr.. Somers on her pcriluGs
journey. The breeze freshened and under
good Roadway the boat reached the Thin
treacherous looking ice, and was soon half
way over. Suddenly, a crash was heard and
Mr.. Munson, VIII had been anXiously watch
ing the attempt of the boatman and his fear
less companion, was mortified at seeing the
hoat