Gilpin observer., 1899-02-02
A SNOW SLIDE.
Near Apex, Pine District, Last SUM-
day Morning Carries
Away the
DWELLING OF WIN. H. RUDOLPH
Causing the Death OF His Wife, One Son
and Infant Daughter-The 6year-
Old Boy Rescued.

This community was shocked last Sun
day morning about 10 o'clock on the re-
ceipt of a telegram from Mr.. Converse, of
Apex, stating that Il snow slide had oc-
Cured there, carrying away the dwelling
occupied by William II. Rudolph and
family, consisting of his wife, two sons
and infant daughter, 16 months old.
John Lasele-one of Torrey's Rough
Riders-now a resident of Apex, and one
of the parties who recovered the bodies,
gave The OBSERVER Sunday evening the
following statement of the calamity
which befel the mother and two children.
He stated that Mr.. Rudolph had only
a short time before left the dwelling,
Mr.. Laselle being on his way to the
cabin at the Booster mine, situated quite
a distance above. He heard crash on
the side of the hill, closely followed by
another. At this time Mr.. Rudolph had
reached a point in the road under the
elevated tramway crossing the road
leading from the Booster mine to the
stamp mill below and on the east or op-
posite side of the road. Rudolph ex-
claimed: "Look! Look!! My cabin is
gone. Come"
Mr.. Laselle at once summoned a rescu-
ing party, nearly the entire population
of the town turning out to assist in the
recovery of the bodies. On reaching the
scene OF the disaster it was found that
the roof of the cabin or dwelling had
been carried down the hill fully fifty
feet from the force Of the snow slide, and
had wrecked it and covered it with snow
and ice to a depth of ten feet. The
rescuing party in digging away the snow
uncovered the head OF Mrs. Rudolph.
The rescuers worked with renewed en-
ergy, although fearful gale of wind
prevailed at the time and the atmos-
phere was filled with snow. Finally the
body OF Mrs. Rudolph was reached. She
was dead, lying on the bed, face up
turned, with the little daughter, Selma,
aged IS months, beside her, the body and
face of the latter mangled and bruised.
A piece of timber rested on the mothers
chest, while another lay across her head
The latter undoubtedly rendered her
unconscious, while the other caused
death instantly.
Those OF the rescuing party who were
at work in the rear OF the building found
the two boys, who were buried under the
timbers, which fell in standing posi-
tion, fortunately not striking them, but
n nod in Nh. LID
James, 6 years old, was found partly in a
standing posture. The head OF the
youngest boy, George, 3 years old, was
nestled close to the chest of the elder
brother, who was unhurt. George was
still breathing when taken out, but the
efforts of Mrs. NJ. NJ. Richards and
Others, who applied all possible remedies
to resuscitate him, proved of no avail and
he soon died. James was administered
stimulanrs and wrapped up in warm
flannels and carried to the residence of
Mr.. G. f. McNerney and wife, where he
was properly cared for until he could be
removed to Black Hawk, where his
fathers and mothers parents reside.
The anguish OF the father during the
time the bodies were being taken out
was terrible, as he but short time
before starting up town had eaten break
fast with them, and left them as he SUP
posed all safe.
James on being restored to sensibility
stated that his mother complained of
pain in her head, and had lain down on
the beu with the infant sister alongside
OF her. He and his brother George we're
sitting on the floor playing when the
crash came and the roof removed.
A rescuing party from this city con.
sisting Of Undertaken William Liddicoat,
Alderman William ]. Lamont, Martin
Hansen, James Cash-the two latter EN-.
ployes of Charleg Hickox-and /. n.
Welch, Of the Register. Call, secured a
pair OF bob sleds, placed a wagon box on
them, attached four horses to the rig,
and about o'clock left for the scene OF
the snow slide, but were able to 90 only
as far rs Silver creek, about three miles
from the scene OF the disaster. From
this point they were obliged to walk to
fine creek, ana upon recovery OF the
bodies they placed them on sleds and
took them to where they had left their
sleigh. The party then returned to
Black Hawk and up to Harris under.
taking establishment in this city, arriv.
ing here about $3.50 o'clock in tho even.
ing. The remains were viewed by q
number Of the immediate friends and
citizens OF Central and Black Hawk.
The dwellino woo .it,,,tod ,.,. H.