The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1886-01-30

rose hundreds Of feet high, and so perpen-
dicular that squirrel could hardly have
| made his way up. The sun never shone
| into that basin. The light of day could
hardly dispel the darkness of night
Opposite me was a lodge or tent made
OF gray blankets, outstanding beside it was
human form, while another bent over a
low fire near by. | climbed over the dirt
into the basin, and as | rose up two women
screamed, and both figures advanced to
meet me. In the dim light saw that they
were women of middle age
'Good Heavens but who are you, and
what are you doing here?" l demanded as
we met.
For reply, both fell at my feet and be-
sought me to take them home, each one
gasping and sobbing and on the point OF
Mysteries.
1t was ten minutes before could get
word OF explanation from either, and it
might have been much longer had not
dragged them through the tunnel and out
INTO the broad day and sunlight of the
valley
Now cease you crying and tell me what
] want to know"
II was only after had prepared for them
a hearty breakfast that got the story in
full. The one, Annie G. Hardy, was thirty
five years old and had left Georgia two
years before with other converts, under
charge OF Mormon elder, The other was
named Eloise French and had left South
Carolina at about the same time and under
like circumstances. She was only thirty
years OF age. Both were widows On
reaching Salt Lake these women were mar
rled TO Mormon named SlyDe, who had
one wife already. Disgust and despair
were soon succeeded by desire to be re-
venged on those who had entrapped them
by false pretenses. Together they ran
away but were speedily overhauled Then
their tongues were let loose against one
and all, and they plotted to poison mum
Der of church dignitaries. For th Ter,
-1hex -yxsEe- tried and condemned
| Slyne had no pity for them, and his kss
ence with the church consigned thef
| this living tomb. They were ONEIDA
placed in wagon, four Danites caed
| guard it, and Slyne drove them o thl.
! spot, which he had in all LIKELIHOOD heart
Of through some hunter.
The women were furnished with tanket
| a Ratchet, matches, a kettle and p0Vlslon
enough to last sixty days. The 7dea wa
| not to provide for their comfort Tut to pre-
| long their torture of mindand bdy. Frol
| the hour they left Salt Lake untilhey wei
abandoned in this basin rot oneDf the me
addressed them by wad or agn. The [
| were looked upon as dead. 70 imprlsc
| them beyond all hope Of chanc rescue, IL
roof of the passage was mined and tons
! rock and earth thrown down. This occurre
| on about the 2lst of the previous Septei
Der. From the very first the women hi /
put themselves on starvation allowanc =
| A week before found them they had c \
off the tops of their shoes and boiled al y
eaten the leather, and for the last two da 7.
they had eaten nothing whatsoever. Til
| had water as it dripped from the rocks. n
Il was nearly night before l had ~
particulars as ! have given them to ~
reader, but it wasn't an hour before l s. ~
that l was in a serious situation. Ht ~
were two women to be taken beyond I II
reach of Mormonisn, and Fort Bridger q
Wyoming the nearest striking point, VI .
seventy-five miles north of the other side 2u
the range, 1t would be a long and perile >,
journey for me alone. u
And what of the Danites who had pr
lowed me out of Salt Lake? OF the 9th ~
who would follow? The DANTE was grIYie
silent, determined foe. He was implacaH
relentless.