Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1906-11-20
The wiley Disaster.

i Inc Wuloy Ou88SteTs
EAST SUMNER, Nov. 10, '06.
Editor Democrat.
In the issue of the Democrat for Nov.
IS, / notice an article over the signature
of "Scrutator," calling on "Slocum" for
information regarding the famed "Willey
Slide" at the White Mountains In 1925,
as told by Rev. B. G. Wiley, brother
of Samuel Wiley, one of the victims of
that disaster.
/ made my first acquaintance with
Rev. Mr.. Wiley in the summer OF 1851,
aud as over fifty years have passed since
his first recitals of the sad event, of
course much of his personal account re-
lating thereto has been forgotten, yet
some things / we'll remember. 1t was
his opinion that the family had retired
for the night, and were suddenly arous-
ed by the rumble of the approaching
slide, and that they only partially dress
ed and started for q shed or howell below
the house some rods farther down the
valley, deeming it safer than to remain
in the house. A huge boulder or ledge
few rods above the house caused the
slide to divide and pass in two channels
past the house without injury. The
condition Of the beds and some furniture
indicated that the family had retired and
had barely time to put on little Of their
clothing and flee to where they evident
ly supposed they would be safer.
1t was Mr.. Willey's opinion that his
brother and the two hired men started,
followed by the rest of the family, and
intended to reach point nearer the val
Icy where the slide would diminish in
its power and velocity and possibly be
saved. But, alas! Like the victims of
the steamer Portland, none lived to tell
the tale of their anguish and terror.
The scene can only be imagined. II
some kind angel or divine interposition
could have warned them to remain in
the house they could have been saved
and related the terrible scene of the
frightful avalanche to an interested
crowd gathered to witness its work of
untold power and might.
Other incidents pertaining to the
locality have been given by historians
and various writer's, all of which has all
the interest of a romance, yet to US it
lacks the intense interest given by one
who spent his earlier years in the To-
cality.
Before coming to Sumner Mr.. Wiley
resided near North Conway and was
reared under the shadow of that won
derland known as the White Mountains.
He loved the hills wherever seen, and
no doubt the majesty and beauty of
those granite hills inspired him for his
successful work as a beloved and able
pastor. We have heard him say often
that the atheist should behold the
White Hills. He often in his pastoral
work referred to the majesty and beauty
of those mountains where his early life
was spent.
The personal recital of that sad event
as given by Mr.. Wiley does not differ
materially from his published account.
OF course the last sad scene just before
its fearful elimination can only be con-
jectured, and is subject to different con-
illusions. AS "Scrutator" has said, we
know of no published account of that
dire disaster 80 accurate or reliable as
that written by Mr.. Wiley and his son,
S. T. B. Wiley. 1t should be read by
all that are interested in mountain his
tory. 1t is sad fact in this connection
that the son did not live to see the book
although he saw and helped
correct the proof sheets. His arduous
work as a high school teacher, medical
student and the work entailed in prepar-
ing the copy for the press was too much
for his frail health, and death cut short
his bright prospects. He died at East
Sumner in the fall of 1855. This branch
of the Wiley family has become extinct
by the death a few years ago Of the
youngest son, Jacob NJ. Wiley.
The beauty, grandeur and sublimity
of the mountains seen in a ride from
North Conway through Crawford Notch
to Fabyans is unparalleled in our country,
and can not be fully realized except by
trip thereto. 1t was our pleasure to re-
turn from Fabyans to Conway this sea-
son on lovely September day just be-
fore shutdown. Passing through the
"Notch" via the NJ. c. r. R., on our
right were the gigantic mountains tower
ing above US hundreds of feet, casting
their dark shadows across our way,
while across deep, dark valley were
the tops of other towering mountains
whose SUBMITS were gilded by the rays
of the setting sun. 1t was scene too
sublime for word pictures and beyond
the skill of any artist to reproduce on
canvas. Sordid the soul that feels no
impress of the glory Of the scene. With
the rich autumn foliage tiuting the
landscape, and the rays of the setting
sun adding the finish to the divinity of
the picture, it was simply indescribable.
Words, however expressive, fail here.
and we leave the splendor of the scene
to the readers fond Imagination, hoping
that some fine day he may behold
similar sight and receive the inspiration
sure to be gained thereby.
SLoCUM.