Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1899-05-27
WILD RIDE ON A SNOWSLln1
0.ssse VILLA ussaa'a Half Aiiau,.'s TT,
neWn = Asuntaia side.

0sssss Wui,aD sss,a'a Half Aiiau,s's IN,
n ne~n = Asans.,a side.
George d. Williamson. now enr,,. 4
ed in mining near Lake City, tells
thrilling story OF his experience Ia a
snowsiide In the mountains Of Hins.
dale county Mr.. williamson and a
companion had been to look at min.
ing claim In which they We're inter,
ested and were returning along tie
trail when they came TO point II
which there were evidences OF move
ment OF the heavy mass OF snow ".
ing on the mountain side. Il saw that
II was liable TO move again at any
time" said Mr. Williamson, and
started back with the remark that II
was as much as mans life wsu
worth to attempt 10 cross the snox
that has poured across the trail From
where We stood to the bottom OF the
guleh was about ! 900 feet, and We
could see that the movement OF the
snow had stopped about fifty feet be-
low the trail ON which We were stand.
ing. ! thought that by going around
the snow carefully We could escape
and save ourselves long trip II
began elamberins down the rocks on
the edge OF the slide. When | reaea-
ed a poin, near III. end of the slide
looked back 10 where my friend
stood at a safe distance and called
TO him that II Was all right big
dad N .Sh ks
the slide and rested on about three
feet OF snow. packed quite solid. The
top OF the tree projected about thlr,r
feet beyond the end OF the slide In
stead OF going around the tree l
sprang upon the trunk. intended 10
er side The moment | touched the
log knew I was gone. Whether the
slide started OF its own weight or
whether my weight started IL I will
never know. but In an instant | sas
dying down the mountain As the LOG
began 70 move | dropped and fell
astride Il, grasplns limb In front
OF me With both hands. heard the
scream of my friend as | began 10
move and then heard nothing more rx-
espt the terrible roar Of The avalanche
behind me. There were no trees in
the way and the log vent as stralgh,
IA die down the mountain side. fof-
tnnatsly for me keeping It's position
on top Of the snow. I don't know
What | thought, There was no time
TO do much thinking. and all my EN-.
ergies we're devoted 10 the malnts.
nance OF my position. We passed
some dead bushes. the broken tsigs
from which were dashed into my
face, cutting the skin. and the wlnt
almost stopped my breath. At the
bottom Of the narrow gulch the tree
stopped for an instant. but before [
eouId get of the pressure Of the snow
behind started Il again. and IL shot
up the side OF the opposite hill with
scarcely any dimlnution OF force.
Gradually the avalanche spent lis
energy. and =hsn the log came To a
standstill ! was sitting ON IL. holding
the limb tightly. more than 400 feet
up the mountain side. while behind
me the snow. 'irubcrs and rocks niIcd
The slirh to the level ~ my position.
forming ridge across the gully fully
100 fee, high. The whole thing vas
over. in half minute. and cxccp, for
the scratches on my face vas IN
burt As ! shook the snow on and
looked around ! saw my friend tear
Ing down the mountain on the other
side OF the suleh. vith tn. especta-
ton that he would find my mangied
body under the debris. Needless TO
say. he was astonished when he heard
OF my remarkable ride on the back OF
death. Denver Republican.