Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1881-02-05


past. but one of the most horrible ad-
ventures that has become the part OF
the reporter to chronicle for the past
few weeks. is that which a party of
prospectors underwent while seeking
their way to the Mount of the Holy
Cross.
A party of four, consisting of Messrs.
Parker, BENJAMIN, George Ross and
Walsen, started out On their journey
underline happiest auspices. Full OF hope
with the brilliant prospect OF wealth
and happiness that was before them,
they proceeded to fight the bOundless
realm OF snow that surrounded the Ute
Pass, where they were Obliged to
30 should they succeed in max
ing their arduous trip. After
wandering around through the mount
aims for two or three days they retraced
their steps in order to find comfortable
camping place and make a new start.
They soon refreshed themselves and
started out anew on their perilouS
Journey. When about hall 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 bravely
forward. The snow was falling so thick
and fast that it was utterly impossible Tor
them to find their way. The wind blew
with such terrible and unresisting v1o-
lence that, while seeking shelter in the
woods they became alarmed, and IN
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. tear the trees from their fasten-
ings IN the Mother Earth, and, falling
across the small huts that they had
erected. would in all probability curtail
the lives OF one or more OF their party
in the angry tumult 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 il seeking the shelter and
protection of their superiors during that
! fearful period In the evening the bay
inr of the elk and the bleating of the
mountain sheep could be plainly heard
| in the dim distance, rs 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
! out 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;
I fated them to remain camped upon the
bleak and barren sides of the mountain.
surrounded by an everlasting. endless
mass of snow. rs 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 pine tree show itself above
the boundless plain OF snow, breaking
the direiul 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 splendorupon
the woeful waste. whereby with its
LIGHT the party were enabled 10 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. aftel
refreshing themselves, they were con
veyed to Leadville. They say that fol
ali the gold and silver that might be
found in the Mount of the Holy eros.
they would not again pass through thu
some experience. All OF the party ex
pect to lose one or more of their digits
and possibly one of the party may lose