Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-09-28
A MONTANA STORY.
How a Tourist Fell into Geyser :
Crater and How He Escaped There

HOW a Tourist Eeii INTO Il eey ser =
Crater and How He Escaped There
from.
A party of four persons returned
yesterday from a trip to the Yellow
stone National park. Joe Y. Longdon,
C. Z. Kantner, ]. F. Montgomery and
Walter Watson are the names of the
persons, and they profess that they
have mad, with one exception, most
delightful time. They were examin-
ing the crater of geyser about two
and a-half miles from the Fire Hole
river. Notwithstanding it is forbidden
to carry specimens away from the park,
or despoil in any way the formations,
these gentlemen were DESTROYS of Sc
curing some mementoes of their trip,
and seeing In the crater some beautiful
formations, Watson volunteered to at
tempt a descent and secure piece of
the beautiful colored work on the in
terror for each member of the party. He
carefully descended to a distance of
probably twelve feet, taking care that
each time his hold was secure. He
reached the formations, secured what
he desired, and attempted to ascend.
ReaC hing overhead he grasped pro-
lection, and, putting his entire weight
upon it, it gave way, and he was pre-
cipitated into the seemingly yawning
abyss. His companions, who were
watching his movements, shrieked as
they saw him fall They Immediately
procured light and lowered it into
the crater for as great a distance
as they could with the means at
N1thiY,C, orY, Ia ha
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 day break. 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 condition to
travel. About noon another party from
the geyser basin came in sight, and see
ing the camp of the gentlemen at once
approached.
Imagine the Joy and surprise Of Long
don, Kantner, and Montgomery when
they saw among the new corners their
friend Watson, alive, and well. They
could not believe it was he until he had
taken the hand of each and assured
them it was none other than he, and
gave them the promised specimen from
the crater of the geyser. How he es-
capped is best told in his own words:
When the projection upon which |
had placed my weight gave way, felt
that | was indeed lost. I was not
wholly conscious after [ commenced
falling. When [ struck the water, feet
first, experienced feeling of relief.
| seemed to sink tho islands of feet, but
of course sank but short distance. l
grasped around wildly, but nothing but
the water could be felt. [ was rising
to the surface and knew it, aEd feel
ing suddenly came over me that / 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 | reached out and a friendly
rock gave me support. | heard the
shouts of my friends, but could see
nothing and was unable to call out in
reply. After what seemed to ME ages
the shouts ceased, and | realized that
my friends had given me up for lost.
twas Just after noon when we reached
the crater; / suppose 1t was nearly 3
o'clock when / heard what sounded
like distant thunder. The noise grew
more and more distinct, and the
water surrounding me began to
be troubled. / then realized that
| was in the crater of an active
geyser, and that In q short time the
entire space would be filled with water.
| attempted to raise myself, but could
find no support for my hands which
would bear my weight. The walls OF
the crater were rough, and while in
the water | could easily keep my head
out by clinging to them. Suddenly |
discovered that the water was rising
This gave me the hope that I might be
able to keep afioat until the surface
was reached. The water continued tC
rise more rapidly, and l at last found
myself st the point from which I had
fallen. Although well-nigh exhausted
| exerted my remaining strength in
climbing to the surface. This reached,
| managed to crawl some distance
away from the mouth of the crater
where | lost consciousness. When ]
recovered [ was being cared for by
strangers-the men who conducted me
to my comrades"