The state herald., 1897-02-26
SAVED BY A MIRACLE.
OUT FROM A SNOW SLIDE AFTER
FIFTEEN HOURS.
j. T.. Beli. tho Oaray Mail Carrier Digs His
Way Ont Unsided-snow Slides In Other
Sections of Colorado,

Denver, Feb. GA special dispatch
from Ouray to the Republican says: A
mail carrier, J. Il. Bell, who was caught
In the snowslide on the Riverside road
three miles this side of Ironton Friday
forenoon, and last night given up as
dead by everyone, dug himself out Sat
urday morning about O'Clock ana
managed to work his way three miles
this way to the toll road keepers house
at Bear Creek Falls. He was seen by
the toll keeper, Harvey Lewis. making
signs of distress when within half
mile of the house. and he rushed to
his assistance. When he realized he
was safe his strength gave way and
the keeper Harvey Lewis. carried him
TO his toll house and leaving an assist
ant to care for him, ran down to this
city for physicians. DR., South and 9th
ers Immediately fastened to the toll
house and everything possible was
done for his relief.
He lay unconscious under the snow
for fifteen hours and towards daylight
heard running water and dug toward
1t. The water was in ditch and fur
nished air, otherwise he would have
suf'ocated. The parties who were dig
ging for him came within ten feet
from the top of where he was lying.
Some of his toes We're frozen and a
slight cash was made on his neck by
II shovel he carried. The fierce wind
and snow storm which ragged Friday
made the work Of the searching party
extremely hazardous, and the search
could not be continued after dark and
he was given up for dead.
The physician in attendance and 9th
els brought him down to his home this
afternoon, and there is every probabil-
ity Of his recovery. When the news of
his safety reached the city there was
Il good deal of excitement and gen.
eral feeling of rejoicing, as the escape
from death is looked upon as an un-
precedented occurrence In the history
of snowslidcs.
Saturday afternoon an avalanche of
snow. logs and rocks fell upon the Rio
Grande Southern station of Ophir and
demolished the depot and eight freight
cars standing on the siding. The sta
ton agent and his wife were eating
dinner at the time and although the
building was carried down the noun
tain side and crushed into shapeless
mass. neither was injured.
Charles Sweeney. miner who
worked in the Woody district. near AS
pen, was caught in slide on Friday
afternoon and instantly killed.
In SNOW slide at Pltkin, Martin
Mentley. a miner, was killed and scv-
eral others Were injured. early yestcr-
day morning. No other fatalities were
reported yesterday.
A special from breckenridge last
night says: Word has Just been re-
ceived here OF a fatal snowslide in the
Montczuma district, by which II Is be
lieved that william Conway and elev-
en- jacks have perished. Mr.. Conway
left Dillon on Friday morning with his
Jack train TO pack down ore from the
Campbell X Graham lease on the Az
iantic mine on Collier mountain. which
is owned by Captain Sampson Ware of
Denver. As he did not return, his
friends became anxious and sent out a
party 10 hunt for him. Word was sent
In that Mr.. Conway and his Jack train
had been overwhelmed by snow slide
and party of eight men went out to
attempt to rescueabAn. The district
where the accident occurred is about
fourteen miles from Dillon and con
tains but few people at this season of
the year. and 1t is hardly probable that
Conway will be found alive. About
thirty men are at work digging In the
slide.