The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-15
FROM DEATH TO- LIFE.
Experiences o fOne Buried Under an
Avalanche Of Snow and Ice.


Avalanche of Snow and Ice.
From life to death n back again to
life was the experience Of A. Miller. OF
Portland. in the recent Chilkoot catas-
trophe.
Mr.. Miller arrived I'm Portland yester-
day feeling fairly well, yet he has not
entirely recovered from the effects Of be-
ing buried beneath tons OF snow and ice.
He suffered internal injury that for a
time gave the physicians doubt as 10 the
ultimate turn OF his case. and looks back
TO the loss OF many pounds OF flesh as
one OF the least regretful features OF his
narrow escape. Mr.. Miller was caught
under the large slide that extended over
a mile along tn trail at the Scales, be-
ing a. the time, with over 100 men and
women, fleeing from what was known TO
be imminent danger. After more than
two hours OF Inconsistencies, during
which time Mr.. Miller was thought by
many to have taken a permanent abode
in the shadowy realm, he was finally re-
yived through the good Offices OF his
friend, J.. y. Holbrook. Of Portland. ana
DR.. Maple, the government physician
who rendered such valuable services 10
the unfortunates.
About IL A. NJ Mr.. Mile. with Mr..
HolbroOk n a party OF over 100. left the
Scales, a long rope being used by the
party In the same manner as by noun
tain climbers. This was mainly for the
protection Of the women. although some
of the men found it valuable in Chamber
ing down the steep, ~treacnerOus trail.
EborfT,r a flor II NJ NffTf.- n.r-r D., MOI
suddenly made aware Of the great ava
lanche by a terrific rumble and roar from
above. No one could see t.: IN fact, the
driving snow made It impossible to more
than see the trail beneath their feet.
From the time the first roar was heard
until the avalanche engulfed he party
was only a moment Most Of those hold
ing the rope were struck while bonding
forward TO protect their faces from the
blizzard, the mass Of snow simply crush
ing them down to the trail. Mr.. Miller
started to turn for a backward look when
caught, and was pressed down on one
side IN a cramped position. When mar
rating his sensations a THAT time, he
said:
1T is hard 10 tell how ! felt. I realized
our danger first. before seeming 10 o n
template that I vas facing death. Know
ing now we hdd feScued many uulih5
the day from smaller slides, my first
thought was the chance Of being res
cued. Ny chest felt like Il was fitted into
a cement tomb, permitting no expansion.
My fingers, hands. arms, and limbs were
pinioned so that 1t would have required
great exertion to move either. Rescue /
knew must come soon or never, n |
thought Of the lineman who had gone on
ahead a short time before. and of any
that might nave been above the slide.
as the only ones from whom we could
hope. Ny breath grew shorter. 1 tried 10
blow against the snow TO enlarge the lit
tie place where | breathed. Each slight
exertion warned me that l would rapidly
succumb II / did not remain perfectly
quiet. Then I was terrorized with the
thought of s~uffocating. 10 occurred TO me
that this had always been a manner OF
death for which I had a peculiar horror.
To be pinioned rigid, crushed by tons OF
snow. slowly dying, while life and hap
piness were a few feet above my head
As I felt weakness growing my thoughts
turned TO my wife and children. I saw
them in their home. all happy and con-