The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-01-29
WINTER LIFE IN DAKOTA.
Startling Experience of Pioneer in a Cen
uina NorthMeatern Blizzard.

Il
uine Northwestern Blizzard.
Milwaukee Letter in Chicago Times.
Apropos of the recent blizzard, an OLD Dakotan
said to the writer: People here have no
idea of the storms that sweep across the Dakota
prairies. 1t is gospel truth that people are
frozen to death within a few yards of their
homes, which they miss in the storm. had
one such experience myself, and it will do for a
lifetime looked death in the face. and was
only saved by miracle. AT that time was
employed on job of carpe inter- work for man
in the village. less than a half mile from the
farm. Along in the afternoon he said to me:
i wouldn't 60 homo tonight if were you
why notp asked. We're going to have
storm. and you'd better stay here looked out
and found the sky was growing gray with me
snow, but was not very well acquainted with
Dakota storms then SO laughed at the mans
warning and said: I have only half mile to go,
and guess won't have any trouble making
that
"'Well. if you're wise you will follow my ad-
vice, and stay here.
wife over at the farm, and l knew she would be
worried. Besides, l honestly thought my en-
poyer was magnifying the danger 1t was
growing dark when l started for home. To be
that wouldn't miss my way l took the
railroad track After getting opposite the farm
house I had then about eighty rods to walk
The storm by the time started was frightful,
and it was accompanied by fierce gale. 1
walked and ran down the track unit! came to
a bridge that crossed a little coulee. From that
bridge to where should branch off were seven
telegraph poles. That / knew for had counted
them many a time. l crossed the coulee and
carefully counted the poles until I came to the
seventh. Then l went on a few yards and
struck out towards the farmhouse. 1 kept
careful count OF the distance. such as / could
in stumbling through the snow. When had
made the eighty rods l stopped and looked
around, but not sign of house or building of
any kind could see-nothing but the driving,
sureing snow. For the first time began to be
frightened, and recognized the fact that the
storekeeper had known more about the storm
than l. It would not do stand still l was
very warmly clad, with an overcoat as thick as
as board but in spite of all the wind cut
through to the bone. / determined to walk on
a little further This did not help any and
/ realized that was lost. l wheeled about and
made my way back to the railroad track Once
there / pulled off my mttens and gave several
piercing whistles. Then l called at the top of
my voice It was use. The only answer
was the mocking laughter of the storm. which
seemed peoDled with scores OF demons each
greedily waiting for their prey Again | wills
tied. No answer By this time was thor
oughly chilled. My legs were like ice, and
drowslness was stealing over me. l knew what
that presaged. and set to work pounding myself
and stamping until partially restored the b''-
numbed circulation. Then thought of the
couee. Making my way to 1t, started to scoop
out a cave in the snow, determined to crawl Ia
and thus try and get through the night in that
imperfect shelter. II was use trying TO get
back to town, for would have frozen before |
got half way. / worked there for five or ten
minutes. now scoopng out the snow and now
stopping to pound myself and fight the drowsi-
ness which was stealing over me, when thought
/ heard sound as of changing metal / lis
tened Yes, there it was. Someone was pound
ing on tin pan. It the sweetest sound
that l will ever hear in this life. answered
with o whistle, and 1t was renewed. Scram bling
out of the coulee ran up the track and then
struck out in the direction of the sound. few
minutes brought to the farm-ho door,
where my faithful wife stood pounding the dish
pan with stick. 1t seems she had heard my
cries but paid attention TO them until my
non-return alarmed my wife. Selling the dish
pan she rushed to the door and saved my life
I found afterward that had passed within three
or four rods of the house without being able to
discover it It was the closest call from death
ever had. I wouldn't repeat 1t for q bank full
of money.
II was at the house of old Scotchman
wear or two after ward when a similar but more
wonderful adventure occurred Several OF
young people were sitting at the table in the
living room playing cards. Outside blizzard
was bowling The old man said:
- 4 think will go OUT to the sheds and see
how the stock are.
Don't you CO. replied.
Il guess will
II looked over my shoulder and said: See
here, old man, don't you try that you stay
right here You may think that was considerable
fuss to make, a. the sheds were not over four