Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1900-11-15
FEAR" WHITE DEATH"
INDIANS ARE MORTALLY AFRAID
OF FROZEN FOG.
Natural Phenomenon, Met with In
Parts of Colorado, Wyoming and
Montana, that Science Has Not Yet
Had Opportunity Of lmvestigat ting.

"Of all the natural phenomena pecul-
lar to the Rocky Mountain region none
is more strange or terrible than the
mysterious storm known to the Indians
as the white DEATH Scientific men
have never yet had an opportunity OF
investigating it, because it comes at the
most unexpected times and may keep
away from u certain locality for years.
Well-read men who have been through
it say that it Is really frozen fog. But
where the fog comes from is more than
anyone can say. This phenomena &C.
ours most frequently in the northern
part of Colorado, in Wyoming, and &C.
casionally in Montana.
about two years ago party OF three
women and two men were crossing
North Park in wagon in the month OF
February. The air was bitterly cold,
but dry as bone and motionless. The
sun shOne with almost startling brill
fancy. AS the five people drove along
over the crisp snow they did not expert
ence the least cold, but really felt most
comfortable. and rather enjoyed the
trip. Mountain peaks fifty miles away
could be seen as distinctly as the pine
trees by the roadside.
suddenly one of the women put her
hand up to her face and remarked that
something had stung her. Then other
members Of the party did the same
thing, although not sign Of an insect
could be seen. All marveled greatly ut
this A moment later they noticed that
the distant mountains We're disappear
ing behind cloud of mist. Mist in Col
orado in February! Surely there must
be some mistake. But there was no
mistake. because within ten minutes
gentle wind began to blow and the air
became filled with fine particles Of
something that scntillated like dla-
mond dust in the sunshine. Still the
people drove on until they came to
cabin where man signaled them to
stop. With his head tied up in bun
die Of mufiiers, he rushed out and hand
ed the driver piece of paper on which
was written: Come into the house
quick. or this storm will kill all of you.
Don't talk outside here.
OF course no time was lost in getting
under cover and putting the horses in
the stables. But they were little late,
for in less than hour the whole party
was sick with violent coughs and fever
Before the next morning one Of the
women died with all the symptoms Of
pneumonia. The others We're violently
i'll of 1t, but managed to pull through
after long sickness.
81 seen you people driving along the
road long before you got to my house,
and l knowed you didn't know what
you were drivin' through said the man.
as soon as the surviving members Of the
party were able to talk. That stuff We
seen in the air is small pieces Of ice,
froze so cold it goes clear down into
your lungs without melting. II any man
stayed out few hours without his
head covered up he would be sure to
die. One winter about eight years ago
1t cleaned out whole Indian tribe
across the Wyoming line. They are
more afraid Of 1t than they are of rat
tlesnakes. That's the reason they call
1t the white death. "''-Win Sparks,
In Ainslee's.