Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-02-07
Frozen to Death.

Inc 1OllOWlnR OF January 22nd from
Monterey, Va, to the Lexington Ga
zette, will be read with interest. 1t re-
calls the tragic death of Mr.. James Ba.
Der, who persisted i'm the mountains in
the western part of this county some
years ago:
Two more fatalities are added to
the already long list of tragic deaths in
Pendleton county, w. Va, during the
last few months. big Run is a settle
ment 20 miles northwest of Monterey,
and so remote and secluded that your
correspondent has with difficulty OBJ
tanned the following particulars of the
sad and untimely fate of two cousins
named Arbogast, but whose full names
L could not learn, They had gone to
Allegheny mountain with supplies suf-
ficient for weeks hunt, and were
caught by the cold wave and storm
which swept over the country a few
days ago. One is dead and the other is
so badly frozen that If it were possible
for him to live it would be necessary
-.
The story, as told by the surviving
man, is one Of an awful experience and
untold suffering. He and his compan-
ion had gone into camp on the evening
of Friday, 1lth, and the following day
found the trail of deer, which led
them some miles from camp before
oyertaking it.
They succeeded in bagglng the game,
and started with it on the return trip
to camp, greatly fatigued by their long
tramp through eighteen inches Of snow.
However, fair progress was made until
overtaken by the storm Of wind and
snow, which made the afternoon of
Saturday l2th) memorable one. -
While yet several miles from camp,
and at the mercy of the gale, night
coming on accompanied by rapidly fall
ing temperature, benumbed by cold
and worn out, they threw the deer
aside and began the unequal battle
which they now for the first time real
lied meant life or death. Thus they
struggled on, until one Of them, over
come by the cold, sank exhausted in
the snow at the feet Of his companion,
who, although himself more dead than
alive, lifted him and tried to lead him
on, finally dragging him through the
snow by the arms, being unable longer
to carry him.
In telling of his experience Mr.. Ar
bogast said he thinks it was about mid
night when he found he must leave his
friend to his fate or perish with him. -
Pulling him to a tree he placed him in
a sitting posture against it and turned
away to make his last.effort to save his
own life. He finally reached camp and
succeeded in kindlng Il fire, but was 30
badly frozen that in short time he be-
came helpless and was unable to replen-
ish it.
How he managed to live until friends
found him the following Monday he
cannot tell. To those who came to his
relief he told as nearly as he could
where he had left his companion, and q
search for the unfortunate man was be-.
gun, who was found within half mile
of camp, sitting against tree, having
died just as his friend had left him.
The dead man leaves wife and five
small children. The one yet Lying
also has family consisting of wifi,
and three children.
BY the side of the dead man lay his
faithful dog, frozen and dead. having
sacrificed his own life in long vigi
over the form of it's dead MASTER
What word can express the depth of {
dog devotion ?