Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1881-01-12
SNoWBoUND ON TIE PLAINS.
TRAVELLERS CAUGHT IN THE FIERcEsT oC-
ToBER STORM EVER KNOWN IN
NEBRASKA.

l TRAVELLERS CAUGHT IN THE FlERCEST OC-
ToBER STORM EVER KNOWN IN
NEBRASKA.
We pitched our tents carelessly, in
tending to take an early start next
morning. But, alas, for our expecta.
tions During the night a strong wind
set in from the north west, and about
4 A, NJ, it began to snow, None of us
could Judge well Of the weather indi.
cations in Nebraska, and our guide did
not suspect anything Serious, for the
Oldest inhabitant could not recolect q
blizzard in October, and ii was now
only the 10Th of the month. The guide
thought, and the drivers believed that
the storm would cease at u NJ, and
we, Of course, trusted 10 their iudg-
ment. But, instead, the storm grew
ahercarsthe snow fell r -a;sapidly. and
the northwest gale increased in fury.
Before night so much snow had fallen
that fit had laid as it fell it would
have been at least one loot deep, but
now il had been piled into drifts so
that our mules stood with their feet
nearly as high as the wagon tops, and
the stove and furniture in our cooks
tent were completely hid den from view.
The night shut in upon us glOomily
and awful. We had two light canvass
tents, in each of which slept four men,
with just blankets enough TO keep
them comfortable in ordinary weather.
But now we must provide for the guide,
two drivers, and a porter who had
usually slept in the wagons, as they
were but simply provided with cloth.
| ing, wo must share our stock with
them. There was but little sleep in
the tent that night, for the cold was
intense, and the wind was so terrible
in its effects that we feared every
moment the larger tent would fall,
though we had strengthened it by poles
and cords in every conceivable way.
With the morning light it seemed as if
the spirits of the air were let loose, and
all the day long the storm roared with
overincreasing fury, The snow had
so beaten in that when we awoke we
found ourselves buried beneath it, and
now We are obliged to gather all our
bedding into the middle of the tent to
keep it from being wet through. No
man could long endure the storm out.
side, and we stood huddled together
from morning till night, stamping our
feet to keep from suffering. Even then
we could not keep comfortable For
hours together we stood with our backs
braced against the tent to keepit from
giving away under the great weight
of the snow and the terrific force of
the gale. ! know Of no language which |
can be used to convey to any person
inexperienced in such a time any ade-
quate conception ofthe furyofthestorm,
During the second day we succeeded |
in digging our little stove out Of the
snowdrift, and, setting it at the en-.
trance of our tent, we managed to keep
little fire through the rest of the day |
apd night,
But our store of wood was very
small and there was no more TO be had |
within we knew not how many miles.
The other tents company had no stove
and no fire. During the second night
OF the storm it was impossible that all
should sleep at once, even if they
could despite the cold, for with the
stove on one side and all our provis.
ions brought IN from the wagons on
the other, there was not room for all
to lie down. Besides, il was necessary
to keep the fires going lest we might
all perish together So we stood bend
ing over the stove all night, two at a
time, while the others tried to sleep.
1t was an awful night. To add to our
anxiety, the guide and drivers declared
that the horses and mules were likely
to perish. They were pitiful sight,
indeed. Twoofthem had no blankets,
and the others were little better off.
AT times it was difficult to conceive
that the creatures before us were
horses, so literally covered were they
with coating of ice. After two days
and nights the storm ceased.
1t was now Sunday morning. We
knew not where we were, and doubted
il the guide had more definite knowl.
edge than we. Every man was des
perate. Some declared it dangerous
to attempt to move through the snow,
and that our only safe course was TO
remain, and, in case OF necessity, use
the wagons for fuel and the horses for
food. Others declared their purpose
to move at all hazards, and without
delay. Finally we determined to
move. We threw away all our lug.
gage that could be dispensed with, and
IN grim silence started in the direction
which we thought would bring us to
tho nearest hut 1t was difficult trav.
cling through the driited snow, and it
was bitterly cold, But all day long
we pushed on, never stopping to feed
a horse, breaking through the drifts
with our ponies so that the teams
could follow, until about 8 p. NJ, when
we came in sight of haystacks, in the
vicinity of which we knew there must
be a ranchman's hut. | never saw q
happier set of men than were these
when il became certain that what we
saw were haystaoks, and not the ter.
rible sand hills which had 80 often de.
ceived us during the day. Grave men,
merchants Of Worcester, swung their
hats aloft and shouted for Joy. 1t had