Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1899-06-25
DOWN AN AVALANCHE
EXCITING EXPERIENCE OF A
 COLORADO MINER.
Mounted Passing Log and Made the Journey in Safety y-A Remarkable
 Ride on the Back of Death-seoonds Seemed Minutes.

George D. Williamson, now engaged in mining near Lake City, Col, tells thrilling story of his experience in snowslide in the mountains of Hins- dale county.
 Mir. Williamson and a companion had been to look at a mining claim ID which they were interested and were returning along the trail when they came to a point at which there were evidences of a movement of a heavy mass of snow lying on the mountain side.
 t.I saw that it was liable to move again at any time," said Mr. William son, "and started back with the remark that 1t was much as mans life was worth to attempt to cross the snow that had poured across the trail. From where we stood to the bottom Of the guleh was about 1000 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 trail carefully we could escape and save ourselves long trip. l be- gan elambering down the rocks on the 2dge of the slide. When l had reach ed a point near the end of the slide looked back to where my friend stood at safe distance and called to him that 1t was all right. A big dead tree had been brought down by the slide and rested on about three feet of snow, packed quite solid. The top of the tree projected about twenty feet be- yond the end of the slide. Instead of going around the tree I sprang upon the trunk, intending to leap from it to the ground on the other side. The mo- ment I touched the log knew was gone. Whether the slide started of Its own weight or whether my weight started it I will never know. but in an instant was flying down the noun tain. AS the log began to move l dropped and fell astride it, grasping limb in front of me with both hands. 1 heard the scream of my friend as began to move and then heard nothing more except the terrible roar of an avalanche behind me. There were no trees in the way and the log went as straight as die down the mountain side. fortunately for me keeping on top of the snow. I don't know what l thought. There was no time to do much thinking, and all my energy was devoted to the maintenance of my po- sition. We passed some dead bushes, the broken twigs from which were dashed into my face, cutting the skin, and the wind almost stopped my breath. At the bottom of the narrow gulPh the tree stopped for n instant, but be- fore could get of the pressure of the snow behind started 1t again, and it shot up the side of the opposite hill with but scarcely little illumination of force.
 Gradually the avalanche spent its energy, and when the log came to standstill was sitting on it, holding the limb tightly more than 200 feet up the mountain side, while behind me the snow, timbers and rocks filled the gulch to the level of my position, forming a bridge 150 feet high. The whole thing was over in half min- ute, and except for the scratches on my face was unhurt. As shook the snow off and looked around I saw my friend tearing down the mountain on the other side of the gulch with the ex- pectation that he would find my man. gled body under the debris. Needless to say he was astonished when he heard of my remarkable ride on the back of Death"
 We cannot live better than in seek