The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-04-15
RIDE ON AN AVALANCHE.
A Colorado Miner Mounted a Passing
Log and Made the Thrilling
Journey in Safety.

George D. Williamson, now engaged
in mining near Lake City, tells thrill
ing story of his experience in snow
slide in the mountains of Hinsdale
county.
Mr.. Williamson and a companion had
been to look at a mining claim in which
they were interested and were return
ing along the trail when they came to
a point at which there were evidences
of movement of the heavy mass of
snow lying on the mountainside.
II saw that it was liable to move
again at any time" said Mr.. William
son, land started back with the remark
that it was as 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
gulch was about 1000 feet, and we could
see that the movement of the snow had
on which we were standing. l thought
that by going around the snow care
fully we could escape and save our
selves 4 long trip. l began clambering
down the rocks on the edge of the slide.
When reached point near the end
of the slide looked back to where my
friend stood at a safe distance and
called to him that it 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 20 feet
beyond the end of the slide. Instead of
going around the tree sprang upon
the trunk, intending to leap it to the
ground on the other side.
"The moment I touched the log 1
knew I was gone. Whether the slide
my weight started it will never know,
but in an instant was flying down the
mountain. AS the log began to move
I dropped and fell astride it, grasping
a limb in front of me with both hands.
heard the scream of my friend as be-
gan to move and then heard nothing
more except the terrible roar of the
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.
II don't know what thought. There
was no time to do much thinking, and
all my energies were devoted to the
maintenance of my position. 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 gulch the tree stopped for
an instant, but before | could get off
the pressure of the snow behind start
ed it again, and it shot up the side of
the opposite hill with scarcely any
diminution of force.
"Gradually the avalanche spent its
energy, and when the log came to a
standstill was sitting on it holding
the limb tightly more than 200 feet up
the npuntainside, while behind me the
snow, timbers and rocks filled the
gulch to the level of my position, form
ing ridge fully $50 feet high.
1.-The whole thing was over in half a
minute, and except for the scratches on
my face l was unhurt. AS shook the
snow off and looked around saw my
friend tearing down the mountain on
the other side of the gulch with the cx-
pectation that he would find my
mangled body under the debris. Need
less to say, he was astonished when he
heard of my remarkable ride on the
back of Death. "-Denver Republican.