Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-09-16
A MONTANA MANS STORY.
How Tourist Fell int a Geyser's Crate
and How He Escaped TherefrOm.

How a Tourist Fell int a Geysers Crater
and How He Escaped TherefrOm.
Butte Mont. Inter-Mountain.
A party of four persons returned yester
day Aug. 23) from trip to the Yellow
stone National Park. Joe. V. Longdon, G.
E. Kantner, j. E. Montgomery, and Walter
Watson are the names of the persons, and
they profess they have had, with one ex-
ception, a most delightful time. They were
examining 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 forma-
lions. these gentlemen were DESTROYS of Sc
curing some mementOes of their trip, and
seeing in the crater some beautiful fOrma-
tions. Watson volunteered to attempt
descent, and secure a piece of the beauti-
full colored work on the interior for each of
the party. He carefully descended dis
lance 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. Reaching
overhead, he grasped a projection, and,
putting his entire weight upon it it gave
way, and he was precipitated into the
seeminly yawning abyss. His companions,
who were watching his movements, shrieked
as they saw him fall. They Immediately
procured a light and lowered it into the
crater for as great distance as they could
with the means at their command. Moth
ing could be seen; but, by dropping peb-
bles and bits of wood, they discovered that
at depth of about fifty feet the crater
LII L, IT, 4la1
ton at the disappearance of their COM
rade 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 becom-
ing 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
in sight, and seeing the camp of the gen.
tlemen at once approached.
Imagine the joy and surprise of Long
don, Kantner and Montgomery when they
saw among the newcomers their friend
Watson, alive and we'll. They could not
believe it 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 crater of the
geyser. How he escaped is best told in
his own words: ~ 49,
''When the projection upon which
had placed my weight gave way, 1
felt was indeed lost. I was not wholly
conscious after I commenced falling.
When l struck the water, feet first,
experienced'a feeling of relief. SEEM
ed to sink thousands of feet. but of
course sank but short distance. grasped
around wildly, but nothing but the water
could be felt. 1 was rising to the sur
face and new it, and a feeling suddenly
came ovor me that 1 was to be saved. How,
l new not, but still was certain that I
was not to be left in the crater. On COM
ing to the surface l reached out and a
friendly rock gave me support. 1 heard
the shouts of my friends. but could see
nothing, and was unable to call out in re-
ply. After what seemed to be ages the
shouts ceased, and I realized that my
friends had given me up for lost. 1t was
just after uoon when we reaceed the crater:
L suppose it was nearly 5 o'clock when l
heard what sounded like distat thunder.
The noise grew more and more distinct,
and the water surrounding me began
to be troubled. l then realized that I was
III the crater of an active geyser, and that
in a short time the entire space would be
filled with water. 1 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 I could easily keep my head
out by clinging to them. Suddenly l dis
covered that the water was rising. This
gave me the hope that l might be able to
keep atlOat until the surface was reached.
The water continued to rise more rapidly.
and | at last found myself at the point
from which I had fallen. Although
well-nigh exhausted, I exerted my remain
ing strength in climbing to the surface
This reached, I managed TO crawl some
distance away from the mouth of the crater,
where L lost consciousness. When I re-.
covered was being cared for by strangers
the men who conducted me to my COM
rades.''
Upon being questioned further Watson
said that as near as he could Judge the Graz
ter at the point he struck the water was
about twenty five feet in diameter. The
water was warm, but not uucomfortably SO
until few moments before he left, when
1t began to be decidedly hot and to boil
more furiously. He was found by the
party who rescued him about o'clock in
the evening
Heavy DefaIcation.