Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-06-12
Five Days in the SNOW.

TIMOTHY cARRoLL's FEARFUL. SUFFERING ON
THE MOOSE CREEK MOUNTAINS.
Timothy Carroll two artificial legs,
and recently told reporter OF the Rochester
Union how ii came about that he lost his ieeI
"on the morning OF Dec. s." said lac. 81
parted with Major Mcdowell at Idaho City and
started westwarly Tor Banner. He was super
intendent Of the Eimira Silver Mining com
pany, and was going 10 Elmira, y. ~, TO pass
the winter, white had charge OF the company's
property at what is called the Banner district,
ana intended 10 remain IN Banner all winter.
For about five miles 1 travelled on horseback
in company with several friends. The Others
then returned with the horses and proceeded
on snow shoes, the snow being about eleven feet
deep on the level had still "A long distance
10 CO. but made rapid time On the snow shoes,
which were over ten feet In length, covering
about fifteen miles In this manner whentoward
evening Was taken with cramps and WAS una.
bic TO walk STEP was then on Moose Creek
mountain-the spot where was taken with the
cramps being about twenty miles west of Idaho
CITY and several miles east of Banner. My Ieet
particularly cold until they suddenly refused
10 obey my wil and became helpiess-unable
TO stand on my ieet. 1 lay down ON the snow,
and TO keep warm rolled to and FRO. The snow
sank, and 1 was buried In a cavity with walls
OF snow several feet high, but with room I'm
which TO roll around. My only hope was TO
keep alive until some one would pass along the
path.
.For five days and nights lay there. II A.
needless TO say my sufferings were terrible My
provisions were about exhausted when / lay
down, and on the third day became exceed
"
desired iood. Most OF the time was Thirsty,
and occasionally allowed a little snow 20 melt
In my mouth. but this seemed only TO increase
my thirst, and knew IL would not take much
snow TO Kill me. 1t seems TO me that did not
sleep once during those fearful days and nights,
but kept moving my body much possible
TO Keep from freezing to death. l also kept
beating myself with my hands 10 vio-
lently that my body became black ana blue
over almost the entire surface. i think that
If had gone TO sleep there would have been
no awakening. i had companions part OF the
hnN I'm fhaU fl.f t.tre
pleasant company. Three mountain lions,
about as large as full-grown Newfoundland
dogs, discovered me on the fourth day and
started watch over me, evidently waiting Tor
my death. They kept on the upper crust OF
snow and did not jump down in the cave in
which was. They were afraid OF me, and
L was able TO keep them at a distance by
when discovered them. The warm breath
from one Of the brutes leaning down toward
ne awakened Inc from "A stupor in which was
falling. L really believe that they saved my
lie, however, for the horror excIted in me at
the prospect OF having my body devoured by
the brutSs kept me from again falling into the
stupor which means death. During THESE days
L kept my watch going and kept memoranda of
what was occurring IN "A small book, in order
that IL died my Identity and late might he
known. There seemed little hope Tor me- yet
determined 10 make vigorous fight for life
ana 10 let those who found my remains know
that had not given up without q struggle.
lit was on the nth day that mail carrier
travelling between Idaho City and Banner once
a week came along the path, and my sensations
at the prospect of relief can [ describe 10 you.
Ii seemed an infinite comfort to hear a human
voice other than my own, and 10 be assured Of
assistance. The mail carrier did what he could
for me, and fastened 10 procure help, the lions
Then leaving me 10 follow him. The next day
he returned with about a dozen men, who car
ried me 10 Idaho City, where both my legs were
amputated about nine inches below the knes."