The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1881-03-28
ANnWEpIN RON HEEKn.

Horses Frozen stiT while Standing HtIII
Houses and Furniture. Sacrificed for
Fuel.
DUBUQUE, Iowa, Marck 20.-The story
told by Joseph Sterrette, OF Big Lake,
Dakota, who has Just managed to break
through the terrible snow blockade In
that section Of the country, gives the
only fair statement OF the suiTerings
OF the settlers OF the northwest during
the severe winter. Mr.. Sterrette pre-.
empted 100 acres Of land OF Big Lake, two
years ago, and ct once moved on 1t with
his family and commenced farming. Last
year he harvested sixty acres OF wheat,
twenty-five bushels 10 the acre, and real.
lied 81, 200 clear. He laid In q quantity
OF fuel and prepared for the winter. The
weather that followed was more severe
than he or bis neiRhbors anticipated,
In February Sterrette found 1t neCes.
Bary 10 rescue the entire families oil
two neighboring farmers, and he took
them all into bis own house 10 live. The
cold was 80 steady and bitter that before
the season WAS half over the fuel, which
had been expected 10 last until spring,
was all consumed. Then Sterrette and
the men staying with him went out and
took down fences and out.houses aud
used the material for fuel. AT this time
the heavy snow fall which blockaded rail.
roads was piled Ia such drifts about
the house In which he and bis
neighbofs were domiCied as 10
absolutely cut them of from all commun.
ication with the outside world. The men
dug their way, or rather mined 1t, through
the snow drifts 10 a railway near by and
dug out the ties, which they chopped up
into stove wood. When all the ties and
telegraph poles that could be reached by
the most desperate exertions were con.
Bumed, II was decided 10 dig through TO
the cabins OF those sheltered In Ster.
rette's house and tise the frame work
for fuel. This was done and every stick
burned. The bitter cold still continuing,
Sterrette's furniture was next sacrificed,
even 10 his beadsteads, trunks and child.
ren's toys. While the cold imprisoned
pioneers were upon their last supply OF
fuel, q consultation was held and It was de.
cided 10 make desperate attempt to
obtain relief. John Becker agreed 10
70. A sleigh was prepared, and with five
horses hitched 10 II, Becker started. II
was q terrible undertaking, and when the
brave man left there were Tears frozen
upon bis cheeks. Sterrette and bis coin.
panions became alarmed when, at the end
Of two days, Beckerldid not return and they
started out 10 find him. They had not
gone far when they discovered large hole
Ia the show, where Becker was found
curled up In the bed Of the sleigh frozen
dead. His faithful dog was lying huddled
up against bis breast, also dead, and The
i've horses were standing liisless upon
their feet all frozen slifF. Boon after this,
and juBt as the party were nearly frozen
10 death, the weather moderated sutfi.
oiently 10 break the snow blockade, and
Stefretle and his friends obtained relief
A neighbofiDg family during this time
had no other food than the soup they
made. from an OK pelt which hap.
pened 10 be Ia the house when the
blockade began. Notwithstanding all
this suffering, Mr. sterfette says, The
people like The county and will remain
there, and In future be prepared for &C..
we're winters,