Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1884-02-21
coasTlSG TO DEATH.
A Terrible Feur-MiIc Ride ON q Sled
i'm Colorado.

A Terrible Feur-MiIe Ride ON q Sled
i'm Colorado.
From Nevada, mining camp in Ne
vada Gulch, to Black Hawk, via Central
City, there was one main road, four
miles long, in nearly straight line with
one sharp curve, and the pitches were
steep, with level stretches between. BY
holiday times the road, which was con
stantly used, had become firmly packed
with snow, which was as smooth and
CLASSY as it was possible to make it. The
ores from the mines above were hauled
on sleds, and this had beaten down the
track until the grooves worn by the run
ners were like the polished steel that
formed them. Once started in them at
Nevada, a sled unchecked would fy to
Black Hawk without giving one time to
say good-day" to any acquaintance he
might pass in Central. 1t was like being
shot out Of catapult or dropped down
an elevator shaft. One of the favorite
pastimes, moonlight nights, in winter,
was coasting, and the course lay over
this road, or street. Some, too timid to
make long journeys, would pre-empt
sections of half mile or SO, which
gave them all the amusement they
needed. Others, more daring, would
risk their neeks and limbs on
longer stretches, while still others were
fool hardy enough to make the entire de-
scent from Nevada to Black Hawk. 1t
was just after New Years in this winter
-1865-6-that party was made up to
ride over this course. The nights were
resplendent then with the light of full
moon, and the great mountains on either
side of the gulch lowered far above, cold
ly magnificent in their immaculate cover
ings. The night chosen for the great
coasting party was very cold, the ther-
mometer showing registry of about zero,
but this gave crispness to the snow and
lent an exhilaration TO the light air that
sent the blood dancing through the veins.
The managers of the coasting party-the
event had been looked forward to with a
great deal Of interest-had arranged by
conference with teamsters and others to
have the road clear about 10 o'clock that
night, which was easily accomplished,
their being but little traffic at that hour
An immense "pung" had been secured
a rough sleigh, or runners rather, about
twelve feet long, which was calculated
would hold fully twenty-five people. For
the purpose of directing the course of this
sleigh steering contrivance was placed
in the rear, and this it was believed
would enable the occupants to turn
the angle in the road, in Central,
where the stretch to Black
Hawk began. It was not found
difficult to secure enough to make up the
party, and five ladies, even bravely, if
not foohardily, insisted upon being
counted in. At the time agreed upon all
had congregated at Nevada, and were
soon crowded upon the pung, and, a
stout fellow at the tiller, the send-off was
given. The first half mile was compare
lively light grade, the sleigh sped along at
a speedy rate, and all on board were joy
Gus in the prospect Of successful run to
the bottom of the hill. The sleigh soon
showed signs Of increasing speed as the
grade increased, and those who were at
all inclined to manifest timidity earnest
ly grasped the side of the pung or cIung
closely to one another. There being
danger Of too great speed, lever-like
brake had been provided. 1t reached
under the pung, and was easily worked.
With this to check the mad career of the
sleigh, it was believed that no danger
could arise that could not be promptly
met. Down the hill they flew. Once,
as Central was neared, collision with a
belated miners team seemed imminent,
but vociferous warnings enabled them
to pass in safety. Down, down,
they flew, and Centrals main
street was entered. This thor
oughfare, scarcely wide enough for
two teams to pass each other, and which,
in daytime, presented busy and noisy
scene, was deserted by vehicles but the
sidewalks were thronged with people who
had congregated to witness the great
event of the season. AS the sleigh
rushed down in its wild course loud,
long shout went up, in which the pleas
ure party joined. By this time the sleigh
was sweeping on at terrific speed, which
fairly took away the breath of those who
stood by gazing at the strange spectacle.
1t seemed as though the sleigh had no
sooner appeared upon the scene than it
had shot out of sight and into space; it
was one sudden dash and then gone.
As the bend in the road was reached,
those who had the management of the
sleigh bent all their energies to the evo-
luton that was to carry them past all OBJ
stacles. The slightest miscalculation
might prove fatal; a moments delay
might jeopardize their lives; failure of
their brake or steering apparatus might
send them all to heaven.
One of the participants of that awful
ride said afterward that none appeared
81 ,ooI;,o +bo 1anc.o- %lo4 Loco+ 46o,..