The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-12-31
snow HABIT CAUSES pRATH.

fFrom the New Yo-kvIrerail.l

IfFrom the New Yo-klrerai |.
T Every great discovery in tn.
worlds history has brought with il
an accompanying affection and il
has remained for tho KlOnliks II
develop peculiar mania thai
threatens II 0utrival opium eating
Among the residents vi the far north
il j. known az the ''snuw habit and
IL IL said Il, he incuratle. Henry
Barnunl ,of Great Bend township
hae returned from the klundike
AM! tells the strange story.
There are many strange things
In the KlOniik-," said Mr.. Barnuni,
'.but perhaps the strnngest and that
about which nothing has been writ
ten ia the dissipation caused BY
eating snow. In the north. swhes.
the thermometer reaches 80. to ~
degrees below zero, n ninulhful Oi
snow is like fnoi.ell metal. II brings
an Inflammation To the palate and
tongue, and tits impossible to take
enough tn qlench the thirst. The
irst advice an old timer offers q
newcomer il, 'Don', eat snow.
There are men in that country, once
hearty, robust miners, now weak,
efeininate creatures. whose fall can
t'e traced directly 10 the iime they
began lnunching snow.
The matter has been but little
investigated. but the scientists who
have examined the subject shy that
the waters Of the north are rich
with mineral deposits which are be.
ing constantly washed down from
the mountains. "A certain per cent
Uf this mineral is taken inln the air
when ivapor rises aud the snow be-
comes inpregnu,ed with u. There
have been several falls If red SHOW
near Point Barrow, the deposit l,e-
ing Of reddish brown culOr, due
10 minerals. Thus il can
he seen that u person eating large
quantities Of the snow takes into
i,,s system corresponding alnoun,
Of minerals"
While coming dawn the Copper
river last spring Mr.. Barnu,n came
upon y party Of u.insrs where one
was dying from the effects of eating
snow. lie had been hard drinker.
but had run short Uf whisky. His
thirst became uncomfortable, and a.
water was scarce in n.idwmier he |
had taken to eating snow. Soon
ne clsin,ed it relieved his appetite |
'or liquor. but his companions
loticed that HE appetite Tor snow
until he was consuming |
enormous quantities. Gradually |
his skin, which was a dark bronze,
grew light, his rugged stature be-
;aine bent and even his harsh voice
changed to the efen,inate squeak Of
in Ole woman. His strength gave
way. and his compsnions tried To
Freak him Of the habit. He would
lie on his pallet and moan pi,ifuliy
or mouihful of snow, and when
opportunity offered would steal un.
deserved to the doorway and guIp
own huge handfuIs. At last, see-
NJ death was inevitable, his com.
'anions allowed him the snow.
oping to pr"long his life. II
r"ved unavailing, however, and
ne morning just previous 10 Mr..
departure the man was
,und dead.
There are some spots on the Cop
er river where the snow, when
,elted and strained through cloth.
h"ws perceptiLle signs Of minerals,
nd often gold is found plentiful,
'terHixed, but. Of course, not in
aging quantities. Where this
Dmes from is a mystery. but j,
'ay be brought from the far north
the heavy winter gales that sweep
yer this part Of the country.
|
9RN ERAT n EwQ