The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1882-07-05

hdu a. Cup Va titlfu lldisQ tCd VIII
q half ounce of alcohol in it. Alex
was again sent out TO hunt ant
Erickson died while he was gone
Alexy returned empty-handed.
The notes at this point say
"What in Gods name is going &
become us? fourteen pounds of do
meat left and twenty-five miles to !
, possible settlement" Tney coult
not dig a grave for Erickson. as th'
ground was frozen too hard an,
they had nothing to dig with, 81
they sewed his body up in laps o
tent, covered him with their fla!
and buried him in the river. Three
volleys from their Remingtons wer'
fred over him.
Under date of October 9th the
notes say: "One hundred and sew
enteenth day. Breakfast consisted
of a half pound of dog meat and tea
The last grain of tea was put in th,
kettle and we are now about to TN
dertake a journey of twenty-five
miles with some old tea leaves and
wo quarts of alcohol. However, 1t
trust in God and | believe that He
who has fed me this far will not sui
fer US to die of want now"
The party left a record in the hut
which was found by Melville, as al
ready reported. They got under
way at $50 A. NJ. and proceeded un-
It'll 11:20, by which time they
had made about three miles and
were all pretty well done up. They
had half an ounce of alcohol in a pot
of tea for dinner. Went ahead and
soon struck what seemed to be the
main river again. Here four of the
party broke through the ice in try.
ing to cross, and fearing frost bite a
fire was built. Alexy was sent of
to look for food, being directed not
to go far nor stay long. He came
back at $50 with one ptarmigan, OF
which soup was made, and with an
half ounce of alcohol made their
supper.
Saturday, October Sth the note
says: Called all hands $50
Breakfast, half an ounce OF alcohol
and pint of hot water. Alcohol
proves of great advantage, keeps of
cravings for food, preventing gnaw-
ing at stomach and has kept up the
strength of the men, who are given
three ounces a day. Went ahead
until 1890, and after five miles
struck the big river again, and have
to turn back. Only made an ad-
vance of one mile. Cold camp.
But little wood and half ounce of al
cohol.
Sunday, 9th. All hands at 4:30.
One-half ounce of alcohol. Read
Divine service. Sent Ninderman
and Noros ahead for relief. They
started at Z: cheered them. Under
way at s. Crossed creek broke
through the ice; all wet up to the
knees. Dried clothing and under
way again at10:30. At struck the
river bank. Halt for dinner-three
ptarmigans. We made soup. We
are following Ninderman's track,
although he is long since out OF
sight. Found canoe. Lay ou1
heads in it and go to sleep.
Monday, October 10.-Last one
half ounce of alcohol at $50. Al
$50 sent Alexy off to look for ptar-
migan. Eat deer skin scraps. Yes.
terday morning ate my deer skin
foot tips. Underway at s. In cross.
ing creek three got wet Built fire
and dried out. Ahead again till IL
Used up. Built a fire and made
drink out of tea leaves and from al
cphol bottle. On again at noon
Very hard going. Ptarmigan tracks
plentiful. At 3 halted, used up
Crowded into hole in the bank.
Alexy in quest of game. Nothing
for supper except a spoonful OF glyc.
crime. All hands week and feeble
but cheerful. God help US.
Tuesday, 1lth-Gale with snow
Unable to move. No game. One
spoonful OF glycerine and hot water
for food. No more wood in our vi.
cinity.
"Wednesday, l2th-Breakiast,
last spoonful of glycerine and hot
water. For dinner a couple oi
handsful of Arctic willow in a pot
of water and drank the infusion
Everybody getting weaker and
weaker, hardly able to get firewood.
Gale with snow.
Thursday 13th-Willow tea.
No news from Ninderman. We are
in the hands of God and unless He
relents we are lost. We cannot
move against the wind and staying
here means starvation. Afternoon
wen. ahead for mile. After cross
ing another river, or bend of big
river, missed Lee. Went down in a
hole in bank and camped. Sent
back for Lee. He had lain down
and was waiting TO die. All united
in saying the Lords prayer and
creed. After supper a strong gale
Of wind, horrible night.
'Friday-Breakfast, willow tea
1 Dinner, half spoonful of sweet oil
and willow tea. Alexy shot one
ptarmigan. Had soup. Wind mod
Grating.
Saturday, Octobober l5-Break-
fast, willow tea and two old boots.
! Conclude TO move at sunrise. Alexy
breaks down also Lee. Come to
empty grain raft. Halt and camp.
Sings Of smoke al twilight to south.
ward.
Sunday, Oct. lG.-Alexv broke
down during service.
"Monday.-Alexy dying. Doc
tor baptized him. Read prayers
for sick. Mr.. Collins birthday
forty years old. About sunset
Alexy died exhaustion from starva-
ton. Covered him with ensign and
Land him ia crib.
~rgesdav.-Cdlm and mild snow
falling. Buried Alexy in the after
noon. Laid him Oh the ice and COW
eced him with slabs OF ice.
Notwithstanding up tent
to make foe; gear. Doctor went
ahead to find aew camp. Shifted
by dark.