The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1882-11-03
A MONTANA MANS STORY.

MONTANA MANS SIOR1s
party of four persohs returned yester-
Cay from a trip to the Yellowstone National
Park. joe V. London. G. E. Kantner, j
E. Montgomery and Walter Watson are the
names of the persons, and they profess they
have had. with one exception, delightful
time. They were examining the crater OF q
geyser about two and a-half miles from the
Fire Hole river. Notwithstanding it is for
hidden to carry specimens away from the
park Or.despoil in any way the formations,
these gentlemen were desirous of securing
some mementoes of their trip, and seeing in
the crater some beautiful formations, Wat
son volunteered to attempt descent and Sc
cure piece OF the beautiful colored work on
the interior for each member of the party
He carefully descended a distance of 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 protection,
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, sh1ieked
as they saw him fall. They Immediately
procured light and lowered it into the era
ter 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 hat at a depth Of
about fifty feet the crater was filed with
water. In their CONSERVATION at the disap-
pearance 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 day5reak
Next morning they made preparations to
start, but were delayed by Mr.. London be-
coming suddenly sick. They then concluded
to remain where they were until he should
be in a condition to travel About noon an
other party from the geyser basin came in
sight and, seeing the camp of the gentlemen
at once approached.
Imagine the Joy and surprise Of London,
Kanter and Montgomery when they saw
among the newcomers their friend, Watson
alive and well. They could not believe it
was him until he had taken the hand of each
and assured them that it was none other
than he, and gave them the promised speci-
mems from the crater of the geyser. How
he escaped is best told in his own words:
"When the projection upon which I had
placed my weight gave way, Ifelt that was
indeed lost. was not wholly conscious af-
ter commenced falling. When struck the
water, feet first, experienced a feeling Of
relief. 1 seemed to sink thousand feet
but, ot course, sank but a short distance. l
grasped around wildly, but nothing hut the
water could be felt. was rising to the sur
face, and knew it, and feeling suddenly
came over me that 1 was to be saved How
l knew not, hut still l was certain that I
was not TO be left in the crater, On coming
to the surface | reached out and friendly
rock gave me support. l heard the shout 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. It was just after noon when we
reached the crater; suppose it was near
ly 3 O'Clock when heard what sounded like
distant thunder. The noise grew more dis
tinct, and the water around me seemed to
be troubled. then realized that was in
the crater of all active geyser, and that in a
short time the entire space would be filled
with water. / attempted to raise myself.
but could find 70 support for my hands
which would bear my weight. The walls of
the crater were rough, and while in the wa
ter could easily keep my head out by cling
ing to them. Suddenly discovered shat the
water was rising. This gave me the hope
that / might I've able to keep afioat until the
surface was reached. The water continued
to rise more rapidly, and 1 at last found my
self at the point where l had fallen. AL
though well nigh exhausted, 1 exerted my
remaining streng 9Th in climbing to the sur
face. This reached, I managed to crawl
some distance away from the crater, where
l lost consciousness. When recovered |
was being cared for by strangers-the men
who conducted me to my companions"
Upon being questioned further Watson
said that as near as he could judge the era
ter at the point he struck the water was
about twenty-five feet in diameter. The
water was warm, but not uncomfortably so
until few moments before he left, when il
began to be decide div hot. and to boil more
furiously. He was found by a party who
rescued him about O'Clock in the evening.