The herald., 1894-08-22
THE VAULT WAS LOCKED
THE NERVE DISPLAYED BY A
BANK CASHIER.
George B. schaffer, DR.. Il. w. Fleming
and j. N. Britain Take o ee-
we're Ronghing Trip
on Sunday.

George B. Schsffer, assistant cashie 81
oil the First National bank, DR.. E. w.
Fletcher and ]. W. Britain. all well
known in this city, left Los Angeles last
Saturday afternoon for trip to Wilson
peak. They returned Monday and re-
port having had an experience which
they do not wish to repeat.
They left on the train for Sierra Madre
and from there walked to Strains camp
on the mountain. at which place they
arrived at IL O'Clock. Early Sunday
morning, according to a previously ar
ranged programme, they started down
the mountain into the San Gabriel
canon, expecting to explore it's tortuous
course down to Azuss, at which place
they contemplated taking the evening
train for home. All three members Of
the party have frequently made hard
climbs up the mountain, and such trips
as the one proposed was not looked upon
as more than little rough exercise.
The mountain down which they climbed
into the canon was very steep and rough,
and when they had reached the bottom
it was found to be an exceedingly rough
country. The trail, winding in and out,
now one side then on the other Of the
stream, was but dimly marked, and at
one place they took the wrong turn and
had gone hslf-mile up instead OF down
the river before their error was discov-
cred.
They climbed over boulders and
around declivities and through the sand
for hours, expecting that every turn
would reveal the club house, at which
they had been told they would find some
one living. As mile after mile was trav-
ersed and it did not appear, they came
to the conclusion that they had pretty
big job on their hands. To make mat.
ters still worse Mr.. Britain was taken
i'll from the effects of something eaten,
and was but barely able to drag himself
along. By this time it was getting late
in the day and all three were in fam.
ished condition. Mr.. Schaffsr. too, was
able to reach Los Angeles in time to open
the vaults OF the bank on Monday morn
ing, as no one knew OF his absence. This
latter fact caused him great uneasiness
and he finally concluded to push on
ahead and procure help for Britain and
by some means or other reach Los An
geles.
He set off as fast as possible and long
after dark reached old man Potter's
place, down by the mouth of the cafion.
He at once engaged him to proceed with
burros in search of his companions,
while he set off, after first seeing Potter
make start. toward Azusa. where he
arrived at O'Clock Monday morning
At 0 O'Clock he was at the bank. His
pluck and nerve in making such trip
we're really remarkable.
In the meantime DR.. Fleming and Mr..
Britain had made but half mile, the
latter being so weak he could not stand.
They laid him down upon the ground.
with no covering and with nothing to
eat, prepared to wait until day
light. Along about 2 O'Clock
! they heard the far.off halo OF Potter
coming up the trail and it sounded to
their ears most extremely welcome.
Mr.. Britain was put upon the burro, to
which he could hardly cling, and some
time about daylight they reached Pot
ter's. At IL O'Clock they were in Azusa.
They expected the distance when they
started to be about 10 miles, but whom
they finally got through they found
they had made distance OF 35 miles.
All the members OF the party are pretty
we'll used up in consequence and feel
grateful that they got out alive. They
had been without food from early SUM-
day morning until Monday morning.