The Morris County chronicle. [volume] (Morristown, N.J.) 1877-1915, 1905-10-03
| An ADIRONDACK TRAGEDY
Mrs. Charles Fenton Climbs Mount
ain to Aid Dying Husband.
Her Feat Accomplished at Night In spite
Of Warming That 1t Would Be
Sheer Madness.

Lake Placid, N. Y.--Out Of the Adj
rondacks have come many thrilling
tales, but for feminine bravery and
devotion to q stricken husband none
surpasses the story of Mrs. Charles
Fenton's night climb up Whiteface
Mountain, one of the highest peaks in
New York State.
The ascent of Whiteface is a difficult
matter even for a strong man accom-
panied by a guide in daylight, and nev.
er before has a woman made the
climb alone after dark. 1t was all in
vain, also, for Mrs, Fenton reached
her husband only to find him dead
Charles Fenton, the husband was n
wealthy retired hotel keeper who lived
in the town of Number Four. He was
seventy-six years old and one of the
best known men in the Adirondacks.
Six years ago he married Miss Wegg,
an accomplished woman, thirty years
old
Mr.. and Mrs Fenton have recently
been staying at Whiteface Inn. Lake
Placid, and they decided to make the
ascent of Whiteface. They were I'M
deferred by the fact that they were
unable to procure a guide They start
ed up the trail about O'clock in the
morning, and were approaching the
summit when the exert!on and alti-
tude proved too much for the elderly
husband and he collapsed AS he fell
unconscious the young wife screamed
for help, but there was no one to hear,
for they were in the heart of the will
derness.
After all efforts to revive her hus-
I'm
started down the trail as fast as she
could. She knew that launch from
Whiteface Inn was to meet them at
O'clock. In the gathering dusk the
young woman fell frequently in her
haste. Bruised ard bleeding, she ar
rived at the launch landing.
After ordering the launch operator
to summon physician and other as
sistance the young woman started
back up the trail to her stricken hus-
band. In vain size was told that 1t
was sheer madness to attempt the rs
cent of Whiteface alone and in the
dark Bears have frequently been
seen in the vicinity recently and guides
have reported hearing the cries of
some animal, presumably catamount.
Unarmed. without a light and ap-
parently with no thought of her own
safety the young wife pressed on.
Several times she lost the trail and
was compelled to crawl on her hands
and knees. The briar bushes tore her
clothing and cut her. AT last she
reached the spot where her husband
lay. There was no indication that he
had stirred since she had left him,
and she could detect no heGrt beats.
She began to realize that he was past
human aid Her fears were confirmed
when DR.. Warren and . party of vol
unteers. arrived from Lake Placid
DR.. Warren said heart disease had
been the cause of Mr.. Fenton's DEATH
Mrs Fenton was almost Frustrated
by grief and her exertions. The ply
stefan had to turn his attention to her
Restoratives were given her. and she
was assisted back to Whiteface Inn,
which she reached about midnight
Her husbands body was carried down
the trail and was shipped to his late
home for burial.
Mr. Fenton was for years proprietor
of the Fenton House, at Number -Four.
He accumulated snug fortune. and
seven years ago gave to his children
the hotel and valuable farm property.
in the town of Watson. reserving a
private park of more than thirty thou
sand acres for hunting and fishing
ground. He was president of the Fen
ton Game Preserve Association. He
was twice married, and besides his
widow he leaves two daughters, Mrs.
Cora L. Fenton Parker and Mrs Julia
e. NORWOOD.