The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-03-29
LIFE ON A SHEEP RANCH.
A Herder Wanders Out Into the Prairie and
Is Nearly Frozen to Death.

A Herder Wanders Out Into the Prairie and
Is Nearly Frozen to Death.
Denver Tribune.
There arrived at the county hospital yester-
day morning man named Jonathan Adams, sut-
fering from frozen feet. He was taken there by
two strangers, to whose cabin Adams wandered
about ten days ago, nearly dead from exposure
and starvation. The injured man was assigned
bed in the surgical ward, and if he survives at
all it will be many day before he will be able
to resume his vocation. Adams tells pltiful
tale which is worthy of repetition. 1t is about
two weeks ago since Adams, who is sheep
herder, started out from his ranch near Wat
kinss station, on the Kansas Pacific road, in
quest of a number of his sheep which had
strayed away from the herd. He left the ranch
early in the morning and continued
wandering on the prairie until long
after noon; when, failing in discovering any of
the stray sheep, he turned his face in the dlrec-
ton he supposed was homeward Here it was
that he made the fatal mistake. for in some way
he lost his reckoning He travelled and jour
neyed for miles before he discovered his mistake
and then it was too late to retrace his steps for
darkness had overtaken him. The terror that
would naturally fill mans soul under similar
circumstances gradually began to overcome him,
but having passed years on the pralrleS, he
resused to acknowledge to himself that he was
lost on the broad expanse of snow and sage
brush Everything was damp from the snow
and fire could not be made, so, feeling hungry
and tired, he cast himself on the ground as
much sheltered as possible from the wind, and
was wrapped in the arms of Morpheus. A few
hours rest sufficed to restore much of his lost
energies, and, with the fearful alternative of
starving on the prairie staring him in the face
he continued his wanderings. The night was
intensely cold, but notwithstanding the weak
ness from want of food, Adams maintained a
brisk pace. Without any definite object to
guide him. he walked until the sun was again
setting, and then, his strength giving way, the
terrible reality dawned on him with all its hor-
rors. The second night was passed like the
first only his sleep was longer, and before he
awoke old Sol had dawned for some time. AL
most fainting, and with little strength left, he
made one more effort to save his life. Aimless-
ly he wandered and the flight of time alone
marked the lost mans career Late In the
afternoon he reached the summit of knoll.
and but short distance ahead of him saw
for the first time cabin with a wreath of
smoke curling up from the chimney. Never did
mansion appear more cheerful, and with hope
full in his bosom he quckened his step and sped
to the goal. Without ceremony he entered and
there found the two men who subsequently
brought him to the hospital. For some time he
knew nothing. but awoke from his lethargy to
find himself in bed being treated kindly by the
hosts. Food and drink were supplied him, and
he began to feel like himself when suddenly
darting pains shot through his feet and he no
ticed that they were terribly swollen. Notwith-
standing all the efforts of the two knd-hearted
men, Adams's feet continued to grow worse, and
his removal to the hospital was deemed advisa-
BILE.
DR.. Freyermuth examined the wounded mem
bers. and will do all in his power to the ex-
tremities, but it is feared that amputation will
be necessary Adams is ifty-one years of age,
and an operation might prove fatal