The Emmett index. [volume] (Emmett, Idaho) 1893-1925, 1893-12-16

RATS ~ canoes and make onF way down
The fiyer Our relatives and friends
would be subject 10 the greatest anxiety
and feaY for gun safety Wekpew search
Ing paFtes w9pld be sent gut VI great
eSRense, and ibpi In haza'dipe a "trip
down M unkngwn river we were taking
desperate changes with our lives, but we
copsideFed II opF duty 20 do 80 apd finally
decmed N our Original camn and build
the RATS Jerry IphDson and I'an Koaley
leappepl had built cabin near grr camp
and had a supply NJ provisions Tor the
winter, When we reached pamR arrange
menis we're made with Kheley by which
wp secured his share Of 'grub" ~ Pie
cabin whila hp agreed ~ assist IN build
Ing thp PATS and 60 down the river with
Us.
Tho weather beipg fails duPlng the Two
weeks We were engagad In building the
rats we hoped that the snow would
thaw on the mounians sufficiently to
permit us to return over the l.o 10 tsall
and besides affnrd Colgate little time 70
improve On ths c0niFary when the rafls
WIS completed II wgs found that She
trail WA anl h0pppssIy blocked fqe
haFseA by the snow and Colgate was
gradually growing wopse and worse Mr.,
caflD palled IN johnson tho prospector
and pndnayoped 70 arrange with him 70
keep Colgate through the winter, but
johnson positively refused 70 consider
tho matter stating that had barely suiii-
cicni igruh' 70 last him IL alone When
Mr. CHrllD proposed staying with john
son al winter N Colgate hp was unwll-
ing W Fomain with johnson as hr dislik-
ed the man.
johnson WAS willing Ca sell aul and go
down tbs riyep with MS Ut m oxarblinnt
price, but had Mr.. Carlin accepted his
terms and loft Colgate IN the cabin he
was at this time no holplpss that ne
could not have cooked his own food
while the cutting and carrying IN Of
necessary hrewood would have been for
him IN impossIhlliiy, The river canse-
qupnily was the lasl and only route over
which We could hope 10 bring Colgate
back IN civilization and on tho Id of
November we embarked on the RATS and
started down tho river. At that time
Colgate's condition was very serious
Water had collected in his lungs 10 that
he could not lilo down without experience
ing u choosing sensation and he was very
sensitive 10 Gold Wa waited on him
with tho greatest caro- and patlonce,
dividing up the night Into watches and
keeping warm fires burning oil night.
A week later whom we had travelled 25
ralles and the river was found to be- OBJ
structed with boulders. so rs to make
further rafting lmpossble, Colgate's CON
ditlon was pltible In the extreme and
almost indescFIbe Modification had
set In In his legs below the knees. which
for hours in a sort Of stupor, having a
vacant stare. and being oblivious Of what
was going on around him. After we
were compelled 10 abandon tho RATS and
he was told we would all have TO walk
the balance OF the distance down the
river and knowing M he certainly did
that no wonld be unable to accompany
us, he was SO low that he failed TO re-
member his family or make single
request concerning thom.
The shores Of the river were mass of
irregular rocks, with numerous lodges
projecting into il. Many of the lodges
were SO steep that II was all an active
able-bodied man could do to hang to
bushes and climb around them on mar
row clcfts OF steps in the rock. We saw
ii would be impossible TO help or carry
Colgate around such places.
We knew nothing OF the river ahead Of
us, Of the distractions we would meet
with or even If we could get through
at all by that route. We had only seven
days provisions left, and short rations
at that. II we remained with Colgate
until his death, which might have oc-
CURED In several hours OF might have
been delayed day OF two we could of
course, have buried him which would
have been a great satisfaction to his
family. But day or two might mean
life and death to five of us. Was the
last sad rite to single human being
worth the jeopardizing of the lives Of
five others We decided it was not and
after making him comfortable with
blanket, and enquiping him with match
es- salt, etc, as we were ourselves. we
began our journey afoot. When last
seen Colgate was slowly and aimlessly
moveing toward us. He did not speak
a word that We remember after he crossed
the river with us where we abandoned
the RATS.
After ten days of untold hardships,
dangers and privations we met Licuten-
ant Elliott's party, having passed thro'
the Black canyon and travelled distance
of perhaps thirty miles. Lieutenant FL
lott inquired infinitely about Colgate