The Red Cloud chief., 1881-02-24
Four Prospectors Lost in a Snow
Storm.

TIE readers of the Democrat have
been furnished with numerous accounts
of mine accidents, murders. suicides,
and mishaps OF various kinds in the
past, but one of the most horrible adj
ventures that has become the part of
the reporter to chronicle for the past
few weeks. is that which n party oil
p]rospectors underwent while seeking
their way TO the Mount Of the Holy
Cross.
\ party of four, consisting Of Messrs.
Parker, Benjamin, George Ross and
Walscn, started out on their journey
under The happicst auspices. Fullofhopc
with the brilliant prospect OF wealth
and happiness that was before them,
they proceeded to fight the bouudiess
realm OF snow that surrounded the Ute
Pass, where they were Obliged to
ing their arauous trip. after
wandering around through the mount
aims for two or three days they retraced
their steps in order TO lind n comfortable
camping place and make a new start.
They soon refreshed themselves and
started out anew on their perilous
journey. When about half way up the
mountain side they encountered a
violent and heavy snow storm, which
lasted for some time. but full of that
pluck, courage and energy which is
characteristic of every true and noble
Western man, they detied the stormy
elements and purSed their way bravcly
forward. The snow was falling SD thick
and fast that il was utterly impossible for
them to find their way. fhe wind blew
with such terrible and unresisting vio-
lence that, while seeking shelter in the
woods they became alarmed, and i'm
order to prevent any possible harm
they cut down the trees in the immedi-
ate vicinity of their camping grounds,
fearing that the violence Of the wind
would, during the time they were sum-
bering. teal the trees from their fasten-
ings IN the Mother Earth, and, falling
across the small huts that they had
erected. would in all probability cur;ail
the lives of one or more OF their party
in the angry tunult that must ensue.
They cut every one of the trees down
in a distance of forty feet. The weary
and unfortunate men could hear the
ominous and terrible growing of the
mountain lions around their camp fire
at night, as if seeking the shelter and
protection of their superiors during that
fearful period. In the evening the bay
inc of the elk and the b!eating of the
mountain sheep could be plainly heard
in the dim distance, as if they also were
seeking the protection of man. For
three DAYS and three nights the storm
continued with unabating fury. and
during the day time, the men, driven to
desperation through contemplation Of
the horrible fate that was presented to
them, strove in vain TO find their way
ont of the terrible dilemma in which
they were placed by the action Of the
elements. in vain did they seek for
the pass, freezing their feet, hands and
faces in their efforts TO find their way
back to civilization. Destiny, however.
fated them to remain camped upon the
bleak and barren sides of the mountain,
surrounded by an everlasting. endless
mass of snow, as one of them expressed
himself, "Snow TO the right of us,
snow TO the left OF us-before and be-
hind u.s." Only here and there would
the tops of a pine tree show itself above
the bounQlcss plain of snow, breaking
the direful monotony of the scene.
Finally, on the afternoon of the fourth
day, Providence in his mercy tore the
clouds of snow and desolation asunder,
and permitted the god of the heavens
to throw forth its shining splendor upon
the woeful waste. whereby with its
light the party were enabled to track
their way back to the haunts of men.
After many weary hours of terrible
suffering they finally found their way
back to Tennessee Park, where. after
refreshing themselves, they were con
veyed to Leadville. They say that for
all the gold and silver that might be
found in the Mount of the Holy Cross
they would not again pass through the
some experience. All of the party ex-
pect to lose one or more of their digits,
and possibly one OF the party may lose
his foot. Such are some of the many
hardships that men will endure in their
insatiate desire to obtain wealth and
riches in a short space of time.
Several other parties have started
out within the past week for the same
place, and it is to be sincerely hoped
that it viii not be the part of any trav-
eler to relate a similar story of hard
ship and suffering. From the many
perils that beset the traveller in that
direction, it would advisable for all to
delay their trip until the spring. Fears
are entertained by the many friends of
L C. Terry and party that he has met
with aterrible fate. nothing having been
heard from any of them since q week
ago yesterday.-Leadrile Democrat
THEIRS are $4,000 postofices in this
country. and they require 60. 479 per.
sons to run them. The postoffice BUSH