The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-11-11
HUNTERS SAVED By ELKs.
Remarkable Adventure of n Parry OF Sports
men I'm the Great National Park.

Remarkable Adventure OF a Party OF cpor's-
men In the Great National Park.
G. o. Shields. IN Hsrper's Magazine for November.
In the fall Of 1879 party of three men were
sightseeing and hunting In the 1eiiowstone
National Park, and having prolonged their stay
until late In October were overtaken By ter
BILE snow STERN, which completely blockaded ana
oblitersted all the trails, and filled the gulches.
canyons and coulees 10 such . depth that their
horses could net travel over them AZ all They
had lain in camp three days waiting for she
storm to aoste, but that con-
tirued TO grow in severity. and as the snow
became deeper. their situation grew daily and
hourly more alarming. Their stock OF provis-
ions was low, they had no shelter sufficient 70
Withstand the r;gors of winter at that high
altitude, and IL WAS fast becoming question
whether they should ever be able to escape be-
yond the snew-clad peaks and snow-illled can
yoDs with which they were hemued In. Tnsir
only hope OF escape was by sbardouing their
horses. and constructing suowshoes which might
keep them above ths snow; but in tAis case they
could not carry bedding and foad enough to last
them tbrcughour the several days that the jour
ney would occupy to the nearest ranch, and the
chances OF killing game enroute after the severe
weather had set in were extremely precarious
They had already set about making snow
shoes from the skin of On elk which they bad
saved. One pair had been completed, and, the
storm having asated, one of the party set out to
look over the surrounding country for the moss
feasible route by which TO get out, and also 20
Try, IL posslo.e, 10 nnu game or some kiDu no
had gone about mile toward the northeast
when 10 came upon the fresh trail of large
band Of elk that were moving toward the east.
He followed, and in q short time came NJ with
them. They We're travelling in single file, led
by q powerful old bull who waElowed
through snow in which only his hesd and
neck were visible. with all the patience aud
perseverance, OF n faithful old OK. The others
followed him, the stronger ones in front and the
weaker on as bringing ND the rear There were
a IN IN Ia md arA hryth f,voa
had all walked in the same line they left il
open, well-beaten trail The hunter approached
within a few yards of them. They were great
ly alarmed when they saw him, and made a few
bounds IN various directions; but seeing their
struggles were in vain, they meekly submitted
to what seemed their impending fate,
and fell back in rear OF their fe-leader.
This would have been the golden opportunity
OF q skin hunter, who could and would have shot
them al down in their tracks from q single
stand. But such Was not the mission OF our
friend. tie saw Ia this noble. struggling band
. means OF deiiversncs from what had threat
ened 70 be . wiutry grave for him and his com.
pauicns. He did not fire a shot and did not in
any way create unnecessary alarm, among the
elk, but hurried back to camp and reported to
his friends what he had seen.
In moment the camp was a scene or activity
and excitement. Tents, bedding, provisions.
everything that was absolutely necessary to
their journey, were hurriedly packed upon their
pack animals saddles were placed, rifles were
sluns TO the saddles and leaving all surplus bag
gage. such as trophies of their hunt, mineral
specimens, and curios Of various kinds, fer
future corners, and they started for the elk
trail They had slow. tedious and laborious
task breaking way through the deep snow TO
reach it. bat BY walking and leading their sad
die animals ahead, the pack animals were able
to follow slowly. Finally they reached the
trail Of the elk herd, and following this, after
nine days of tedious and painful travelling the
party arrived at a ranch between the upper falls
OF the Yellowstone river, and Yellowstone lake.
on Ihs Sinking river, which was ept by a
''squaw man" and bis wife, where they were en-.
ahsd to lodge and recruit themselves and their
stock, and whence they finally reached their
homes in safety. the band of elk passed on
down the river, and our tourists never saw them
again; but they have doubtless long ere this all
fallen q prey to the ruthless wa- that is con-
stautly being wagea against them by hunters,
white and red.