The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-10-12
A PeriIOus Climb.

In the month before Garfield became
President, General Merritt, then collec-
tor of New York, came within an ace of
stepping out of Robertsons way and out
of the world at the same time. General
Merritt was visiting Colorado Springs
with his wife. 1t was in February, but
the weather was so fine that he resolved
to ascend Pixies Peak The government
trail had not been completed, and the
ascent was difficult even in good weather.
However, he wanted to 90. and finally
persuaded Engineer E. S. Nettleton to
guide him up the peak. a clear day was
selected and, fortunately, very little
snow appeared on the mountains. Mr..
Nettlcton, being familiar with Colorado
weather, was not over enthusiastic in be-
ginning his trip. To guard against acct
dents, strong man was engaged to ac-
company the party. Late in the after
noon the party reached little park
about two miles below the timber line.
AS night was rapidly approaching it was
suggested that the journey be continued
in the morning.
ooh, no." said the general; "let's
push on. am used to roughing it."
timber line, where there is a small lake
with n cabin on its shore. Prudence
counseled halt for the night, and Engi-
neer Nettleton 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
ccdars. 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 a hurri-
cane, and the air was filled with snow.
a Colorado blizzard swept the peak and
it was with the utmost difficulty that the
ascent was continued. The mules had
been abandoned in the deep snow in the
woods. Human eXcrtion was nearly
impossible in the storm; General
Merritt fell into the opening be-
tween the rocks, and sometimes the
travellers found themselves ten feet
under the snow. The situation became
pcrilous. The general became drowsy,
and then sunk in stupor. When aroused
he begged his companions to save their
lives. For his part he was ready to die.
lie saw no escape His limbs were then
rubbed. and after much coaXing he was
persuaded to push on. 1t was still two
miles to the top of the mountain, and the
fury of the gale was increasing. Mr..
Nettleton and his man now went to work
In earnest. They repeatedly dragged the
general to his feet and forced him to pro-
coed. At times the wind lifted them
into space and hurled them on the rocks.
IN, +1n 1,,c
The telegraph wires were blown away,
and the prospect became horrible. When
near the summit they accidentally dis
covered that they were on the very
brink of the prccipice which over
hangs the Manton Springs. 1t was
toward 10 o'clock when the signal station
was reached. The barred door was
opened, and three men covered with ice
and festoons of long, white frost APP
pcarcd before the astonishcd signal
service men. They failed to recognize
Mr.. Nettlcton, who, like his companions,
was entirely hidden in the hoar frost.
The signal men were amazed that the
travellers had escaped with their lives.
General Merritt, who is a strong. brave
man, of rugged physique, was so ex-
ii""''N' tAi'l iC SAillN vi inc HOOl ana
was put to bed. He did not recover his
strength until the next evening Accord
ing to the government measurements the
temperature up there was four degrees
below zero and the wind blowing forty
miles an hour. In speaking of the adj
venture week aftcrward General Mer-
rift said it was the narrowest escape of
his life, and had it not been for Engineer
Ncttlcton he would have died when half
way up the peak. -BoSton UeroH.