The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1896-01-10
HIS PERILOUS TRIP
Charles Murray'S Exciting Expert
ence in the Mountains
IN FROM THE CLEARWATER
He Tramps the Distance Alone and
Faces a Typical Northern Bliz-
zard-Yet He VIII Return
Over the Same Trail.


Missoula, Jan. 9.-One of the most
exciting experiences that has been mar
rated here this season is that of
Charles A. Murray who. a few days
ago, came out from the Idaho Clear
water country alone and on foot. The
trip is one which few men would I'M
dertake alone even in the summer time
as even under the most favorable con-
ditions IL abounds with danger. 1t is
almost incredible that a man should
make il at this season of the year and
cross the divide in a binding blizzard
and escape all injury. But Mr.. Muir
rays hale and hearty appearance is in
evidence that he came through all
right and he is making preparations to
return tomorrow or the next day.
MIR. Murray is we'll known here in
Missoula, where he was a policeman
several years ago. He is a brother of
+. s. Murray, who was on the force
last year. When he was an officer here
he was a smooth-faced. slender man
and his friends hardly recognize him in
the brawny bearded man who is now
here. Mr.. Murray has been in the
Clearwater country for two or three
years. mining in the summer and hunt
ing and trapping during the winter
and spring. He has been successful
and the placer claims which he and
his brother have developed have been
sold at a good figure. He also states
that he has had good luck with his
traps this winter. Large game, he
says, was abundant in the Clearwater
all the fall and until the snow drove
the animals into the lower country he
had good shooting. At present he is
doing nothing except to attend to his
traps.
Mr.. Murray's camp is north and west
of the portion of the valley made ia
nous by the adventures of the Carlin
party. He Is alone, not having even
a dog for company. His provisions
and supplies were packed in on horses
last summer from Superior, by way of
Cedar creek, over which route he re-
turned during the severe blizzard of
Saturday and Sunday. In reply to
question from Standard reporter as
to why he came in at this dangerous
season, Mr.. Murray said: II had not
seen or heard from my family for
nearly three months and j got to
thinking about them one day and made
up my mind to see them, so / started
out"
The route which MIR. Murray Travelled
I'm his trip out of the valley while not
so dangerous as the Lou Lou pass. Is
stin perllOuS one snow sides are OF
frequent occurrence and the trail at
this time Of year is entirely obliterated
Mr.. Murray packed on his back his
blankets and the provisions which he
needed on the trip, locked his cabin
and started to walk to civilization. He
speaks of the journey with as much
indifference as an ordinary citizen
would mention a walk to the postoffice
He confesses, however. that he had a
hard time getting over the divide as
the blizzard was raging at the time
and made travel very difficult
He had one narrow escape. After he
had crossed the summit and while ne
was descending the mountain side TO
get to uhe Cedar creek trail, he travelled
for a half mile i'm the lee of a high cliff
that afforded him shelter from the
wind. He Travelled here as rapidly as
possible. for he feared a snowslide at
any moment, as the snow had piled up
deep under the rock and over eihe brow
of the cliff hung an immense snow
comb, which a blast of wind might
loosen at any moment and bury him a
hundred feet deep. He had Just round
ed the point of the cliff when the ex-
pected slide occurred. About 100 yards
of the snow comb came laundering
down upon the trail that he had just
made. and its fall started a veritable
avalanche that swept down the steep
slope. carrying everything before 1t. SO
NAoSt Nlu IL PASS 70 the lone traveller
mat ne was covered with the flying
snow, and the rush of air nearly upset
him. The sight was a magnificent one.
Mr.. Murray says, but IL was too near
him for him TO thoroughly appreciate
its grandeur.
No other excitement interrupted HIS
"trip and he reached here safely. He
found his family well, and viii proba-
bly, return TO his lonely camp to-mor-
row. He has made a few purchases OF
supplies, and Will have a 40-pound pack
on his back on the return trip This he
regards as trifie, and he expresses no
fears regarding the journey, which
would strike terror 10 most hearts Mr.
Murray has no desire for company. and
gets along all right by himself He
takes good care of himself, and has no
fear of sickness. 1t is a. life which few
men would care TO lead. scores of miles
from human habitation, with no living
companion. not even a dog However.
Mr.. Murray seems TO enjoy IL, and his
husky appearance is certainly a strong
recommendation for that mode of life.