Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-10-03

A PEMLoUS CLTMB.-ln the mon'h
before G,rti I'D bee tme president, Gen.
Merritt, then oi'ector of New York. came
within an ac" of Stepping out OF Il berrson',
way and ont of the world at The slm
time. Gen, Merritt was visiting Co oraGu
Springs wi h his wife. was in February,
out the weather was SO fine that he lesOIv
ed 10 ascend Pixies peak. The govern
ment trail had net been completed anu
the ascent was difficult. even in 200
weather. However, he wanted to 90 anr
finally persuaded Engineer + 5. Nettletor
to guide him up the peak. a clear day
was selected, and, fortunately, very little
snow appeared on the mountains. Mr..
NoltIeton being familiar with Colord,
weather, was not over enthusiastic H.
beginning his trip. To guard agains
accidents. Il strong man was engaged Il,
accompany the party. Late in the after
noon the party reached Il little park abou
two miles below the timber line. A. nigh
was rapidly approaching it was suggesle
that the journey be continued in the morn
lng
"Oh, me- said the general; lets pusl
on. am used to roughing it.h
1t was nearly dark when they got t.,
timber line, where there is a small lax,
with Il cabin on its shore. Prudenc,
counseled halt for the night, and Engi
n .er NJ It'll to was in favor of it. But the
general WAS again impatient. and the
travellers scaled the steep trail that led
from the lake to the large scattering
cedars. There the desolate summit OF
Pixies peak begins. When out of the
timber, the party saw storm rising in
the west. 1t came SO rapidly that in ten
minutes the wind was blowing hurri
cane, and the air was filled with snow. A
Colorado blizzard swept the peak, and
was with the utmost difficulty that the
ascent was continued The mules had
been abandoned in the deep snow of the
woods. Human exertion was nearly i'm
possible in the storm. General Merritt
fell inio The opening between the rocks
and sometimes the travellers found them
selves ten feet under the snow. The stu
alton became perilous, The general
became drowsY, and then sunk down in .
stupor. When aroused he begged his
companions to save their lives. For his
part he WAS ready to die. He saw nj
escape. His limbs were then rubbed, and
titer much coaxing he was pursuaded to
push on. 1t was still two miles 10 the TOP
Of the mountain. and the fury of the gale
was increasing. Mr.. Nettleton and hi,
man now went to work in earnest. They
repeatedly dragged the general TO his fee
and forced him 10 procee |. At times the
wind lifted them into space and hurleC
| them on the rocks. Often they were
hurled in the drifts. The telegraph wire.
| were blown away, and the prospect
became horrible. When near the SUNNI
they accidentally discovered that they
were on the very brink of the precipic'
| which overhangs the Mantou springs. l.
was toward ten o clock when the sigma
sta ion was reached. The barred door wa:
opened and three men covered with ice
! and festoons of long, white frost, appear
ed before the astonlshed signal service
men. They failed to recognize Mr.. NettIe
ton. who like his companions, was entirely
hidden in the hoar frost.
The signal men were amazed that the
travellers had escaped with their lives
Gen. Merritt, who is strong, brave man
of rugged physique, was so exhausted
that he sunk on the floor and was put tt
| bed. He did not recover his strength
until the next evening. According t.
the government measurements, the tenn
perature up there was 40 below zaro, anc
The wind blowing forty miles an hour. II
s0eaking of the adventure week after
wards, Gen. Merritt said it was the mar
rowest escape of his life. and, had it no
been for Engineer Nettleton, he woulC
have died when half way up the peak
| Boston Heratd.