Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1893-02-16
HOURS OF TORTURE.

a j A.NFftuEeT r ought "A IN Nv
pair of E"gie>
Two young men from Brooklyn. it is
said left here a short time ago to view
the territory Of the extinct cliff-dwellers
along Nine-AIile creek, says an Ogden
correspondent Of the St Louis Globe
Democrat. Yesterday only one return
ed, weary, foot-sore and apparently
man is J. F. Barkalow, and his friend
was Frank NJ Conroy. The story he
tod an acquaintance here is as follows:
when Frank and l finished our
jaunt along Nine-Mile creek we conclud-
ed we would go along down the Minnie
Maud creek before working our way
back. 1t was terribly rough, but we
had placed our entire outfit on the back
of burro, while we walked, and so we
got along very nicely. One morning
about two weeks ago we were picking
our way along the edge of what looked
like a bottomless gorge. few miles
from the junction of Nine-N1ile creek
with Green river.
The path was a narrow one, a per-
pendicular rock wall on one side and the
dark precipice frowning below us on
the other I was in front, the burro
following close and Frank behind the
bu1ro. Suddenly felt the pathway ap-
parently slipping from under my feet,
and only by almost superhuman efforts
was I enabled to scramble up Oh solid
rock, as the stones Of the pathway and
thin cakes. which seemed to peel off
the rock, slid over the edge Of the preci-
pice.
Il had started Il lot of loose stones
rolling down, and the stream kept grow
ing till it looked as If it might separate
me from Frank and the burrO, and, ap-
parently to prevent this, Frank gave the
btnrO a keen cut so as to make him go
on while he could The intelligent ami
NAL, however, would not risk it and,
giving scream that was almost human,
it endeavored to turn in the narrow path
and go back but in doing so it caught
Frank in it's efforts, and over the brink
Of the precipice they went together.
A hundred feet or so down the preci-
pice fiat, level part OF the rock jutted
out and formed sort Of platform. On
the outer edge of this the burrO struck
and rebounded slightly. just as Frank,
in his descent, struck on the animals
side, thus saving himself from instant
death. After the rebound the quadrrl-
ped went over the edge and down into
the ravine, while Frank dropped back
upon the platform. I leaned over and
called out, but it was some time before
he was able to answer. Frank was on
a small ledge Of rock, with several ribs
broken and one arm smashed. and with
absolutely no chance of rescue inside of
the days it would take me to 90 for
assistance. To make matters worse we
We're both almost dying Of thirst. and
the heat of the brOiling sun was becOm-
ing insupportable. Just as we had
agreed that Frank should take his
chances while I went for assistance ]
heard a shrek from him, and. glancing
down, saw the beginning Of a terrible
combat.
above him and to one side was a
large nest with several young birds In
it, and two enormous eagles, suspecting
him Of an attack upon their young,
swooped down upon him from different
directions, struck at him with bill and
claws, and, posing after the attack,
returned from the opposite direction.
Frank had his bowie knife, and, back
ing against the rock wall, fought them
off, but they seemed to grow more ex-
cited and determined every minute.
This must have kept up for two hours
Franks broken arm hung limp at his
side; the other, with which he warded
off the attacks, was bleeding and LAGER
ated, while the sleeves Of his coat and
shirt had been reduced to shreds by
the sharp claws which never ceased
their onslaught.
Presently a groan gave me warning
that the end was approaching, and the
fury of the great birds seemed in
creased. They at last succeeded in
what he was trying to prevent-they
reached his face with their horrible
claws. I will never forget the sight as
he staggered backward. With a scream
of triumph and gratified revenge his
victors followed him over the edge Of
the shelf and far down into the abyss"
| Mr.. Barkalow reached a small settle
ment more dead than alive, and came
| into Ogden to ask for temporary
assistance from a young business man
here who is acquainted with his family.
| He left for the east last night.