Arizona weekly citizen., 1882-09-24
A MONTANA MANS STORY.
How n Tourist Fell Into n Geyser's Crater
 and How he Rscaped Therefrom-

How a Tourist Fell Into Geyseris Crater
 and How he RseaPed Therefrom-
 4 party of four persons returned yes terdRy from a trip to the Yellowstone Park. Joe V. LongdOn, C. E. Ksntner, J. F. Montgomery and Waiter Watson are the names of the persons, and they pro fess they have had with one exception, 8 most delightful time. They were eI- smining the crater of a geyser about two and a half miles from the Fire Hole River. Notwithstanding its forbidden to carry specimens away from the Park, or despoil in any way the formation. these gentlemen were desirous Of secur- ing some mementoes of their trlp, and seeing in the crater some beautiful for nations. Watson volunteered to attempt 6 descent and secure 6 piece Of the beautiful colore6 work on the interior for each member of tue party. He carefully descended distance of prob ably twelve feet, taking care that each time his hold was secure. He reached the formations, secured what he de- sired. and attempted to ascend. Reach ing overhead, he grssped projection, and, putting his entire weight upon II, U gAve way, and he was precipltated into the seemingly yawnlng abyss. His com panions. who were watching his move ments, shrieked Hs they saw him fall. They immediately procured a light and lowered 1t into the crater for as great R distance as they could with the meals at their command. Nothing could bS seen; but by dropping pebbles and bits of wood they discovered that at a depth of about fifty feet the crater was filed with water. In their consternaton at the disappearance of their cOmrade they had not heard his body strike the water. They gave him up Gs lost, and with sad hearts left the scene. Going to the river they made camp, intending to start for Bozeman at dsybreak. Next mOrn- ing they made preparations to start, but were delayed by Mir LOngdon becomln9 suddenly sick. They then concluded tO remain where they were until he should | be in condition to travel. About noon another party from the geyser basin | came ID sight, and seeing the camp of the gentlemen at once approached.
 Imagine the joy and surprise ot Long don KanIner and Montgomery when they saw among the newcomers their friend Watson, alive and well. They could not believe 1t was he until he had taken the hand of each and assured them that | it was none other than he, and gave them ! the promised specimens from the era | ter of tho geyssr. How he escaped I'd best told ID his own words:
 When the projection upon which l had placed my weight gave way l felt | that l was, indeed lost. l WAS not | wholly conscious after 1 commenced ! falling. When 1 struck the water feet | frat, l experienced cling of relief. l seemed to sink thousands of feet, but, of course, sank but short distance. l gratped around wildly, but nothing but | the water could be felt. l was rising to the surface and knew it, and feeling suddenly came over me that l was Co be ss red. How, I knew not, but still was certain vHa not tO be left ln the crater. On C ming to the surfAce l reached out Il 6 friendly rock gave mo 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 I realized thRt my friends had gwen no up for lost. IL was just after noon when ve reached the crater; suppose it vss nearly five o'clock when heard what sounded like distant thunder. The noise grew more and more distinct, and the water surround ing me began to be troubled. I then realized that 1 was in the crater of an active geyser, and that Tn R short time the entire space would be filled with water. I 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 elinging tO them. Sud denly I discovered that the water was rising. This gave mo the hope that 1 might be able to keep afioat until the surface was reached. The water con- tinued to rise more rapidly, and I at last found mysels at the point from which I had fallen. Although we'll nigh exhausted, I eIerted my remain ing 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 strsngers-the men who conducted me to my comrades.
 Upon being questioned further, Wat son said that. ss near Rs he could judge, the crater at the point he struck the water was about twenty-five feet Ill diameter. The water was warm, but not uncomiortably SO until 8 few moments before be left. when it began to be decidedly hot and to boil more furiously. He was found by the party who rescued him about seven o'clock ID the evening.-Butte, Montana, Er- change.