Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1882-09-21
A FALL INTO A CRATER.
How Tourist Fell Into n Geyper's Crater
aud How lie Escaped Therefrom.


The Butte (Montana) IRter-noun'
tain, of q recent date, says a party
of four persons returned yesterday
from a trip TO the Yellowstone Ma
tional park. Joe V. Longdon, c. +.
Kantner, ]. Il. Montgomery and Wal
ter Watson are the names of the per
sons, and they profess they have had
with one exception, a most delightful
time. They were examining the era
ter of geyser. about two and half
miles from the Fire Hole river. Not
withstanding it is forbidden to carry
specimens away from the park, or
despoil in any way the formations,
these gentlemen were desirous of Sc
curing some mementoes of their trip,
and seeing in the crater some beautiful
formations, Watson volunteered TO
attempt a descent and secure a
piece of the beautiful colored work on
abe interior for each member of the
party. lie carefully descended dis
tance of probably twelve feet, taking
care that each time his hold was
secure. He reached the formations,
secured what he desired, and attempted
20 ascend. Reaching overhead, he
grasped projection, and, putting his
entire weight upon it, it gave way, and
he was precipitated into the seemingly
yawning abyss. His companions, who
were watching his movements, shrieked
as they saw him fall. They immediate
ly procured light and lowered it into
the crater for as great distance as
they could with the means at their
command. Nothing could be seen (;
but by dropping pebbles and bits of
wood they discovered that at a depth
of about fifty feet the crater was filled
with water. In their CONSERVATION at
the disappearance of their comrade
they had not heard his body strike the
water. They gave him up as lost, and
with sad hearts left the scene. Going
to the river they made camp, intending
to start for Bozeman at daybreak.
Next morning they made preparations
to start, but were delayed by Mr..
Longdon becoming suddenly sick
They then concluded to remain where
they were until he should be in a condi-
tion to travel. About noon another
party from the geyser basin came in
sight, and seeing the camp of the gentle
men at once approached.
Imagine the joy and surprise Of
Longdon, Kantner and Montgomery
when they saw among the new comers
their friend Watson, alive and well.
They could not believe it was he until
he had taken the hand of each and as
sured them that it was none other than
he, and gave them the promised spcci-
mems from the crater of the geyscr.
How he escaped is best told In his own
words:
When the projection upon which |
had placed my weight gave way. I felt
that l was indeed lost. | was not
wholly conscious after | commenced
falling When | struck the water. feet
first, / experienced a feeling of relief.
seemed TO sink thousands of feet. but
of course sank only but short dis
tance. l grasped around wildly. but
nothing but the water could be felt. |
was rising TO the surface and knew il,
and feeling suddenly came over me
'hat / was to be saved. How, | knew
not, but still was certain that was
not TO be left in the crater. On
coming to the surface l reached
out and a friendly rock CAV,
me support. heard the shouts of my
friends, but could see nothing and wa'
unable to call out in reply. After what
seemed to Inc ages the shouts ceased
and l realized that my friends hat
given me up for lost. 1t was just after
noon when we reached the crater;
suppose 1t was nearly o'clock when
heard what sounded like distant
thunder The noise grew more>anC
more distinct. and the water surround
ing me began to be troubled. / then rea
1ized that was in the crater of ar
active geyser, and that in short tim,
the entire space would be filed will
water. I attempted to raise myself
but could find no support for M
hands which would bear my weight
The walls of the crater were rough
and while in the water I could easill
keep my head out by clinging to them