The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1908-09-04
COnneHy's ThrilIing'
Descent.

known Topeka author, has returned
from trip to Colorado, where he was
the guest of Mr.. Il. f. Ware and
family OF Kansas City at their sum-
mer cottage at Cascade. Mr. Con-
nelly had some exciting experiences
while IN the mountains, particularly
during his trip from the top OF Pixies
Peak on foot, when he and Mr..
Samuel Bigger were caught In three
SEPARATE and distinct electrical storms
of the utmost severity. Mr.. Connolly
tells of his experiences.
"It was four o'clock on the after
noon Of August 5th when party
composed of Miss Mary Gentry, a
guest of Wares family. Miss Phil
Reed, Mr.. Harry Everett aud myself
OF Topeka and Samuel Bigger and
A. l.. Bigger left Cascade for trip to
the top OF the peak. We men walked.
We travelled six miles and then de-
cided To have supper. Afterwards we
travelled six miles In the dark before
we put up for the night In a deserted
miners cabin located at point known
as Glen Cove. This cabin is located at
the head Of long, daep canyon, six
miles from the top Of the peak and
Twelve miles from Cascade. We were
forced to put the horses In a barn on
The place as the mountain lions were
roaring all about Us and we were
fraid that they would tackle the
horses If we left them on the outside.
"We heard the lions all night long,
but our horses were all right in the
morning aud after light breakfast
we pushed on. Glen Cove is IL 600
teet up aud the timber line is evident
at this point. We went up the zigZap
road until we got short distance
from the top, when L. A. Bigger be-
came exhausted and was forced to
drop out at the roadside. Samuei
Bigger, who Is "a years of age, by the
way, kept up with me and we pushed
10 the top. The party on horses which
had preceded US quite distance had
started on the return trip when we
got to the top. We remained at the
summit for about half hour ana
then started down. While on top VT
noJiced heavy clouds gathering and
reau men that heavy storm was
expected. We made up our minds IT,
Jackie the return trip, however, and
started. We could see the other mem
,ers OF our party several miles ahead
Of us riding slowly and found OUT
alter time that L. A. Bigger had
returned with them. Samuel Bigger
and plodded along and my feet were
getting most fearfully sore. was
wearing oxfords that were liGt!t
large for me and as a consequence !
found the walking rather tough. W.,
nad proceeded to point about three
miles from the top when we we're sur
rounded by clouds and the storm
broke. 1t was the worst storm that
nave ever heard OF. The lightning
flashed continuously and it seemed
that the thunder crashed all about
Great hall fell and covered the grounG
GA depth Of six inches. The storm
was something awful. Both Bigger
md 1 had storm coats. We were able
to find a protruding boulder which We
got under for partial protection.
After a time the storm slackened ano
we started out again. We had gone
about two miles when we were sur
rounded again by clouds and woIs'
storm than before came down upon
as. The sky was fairly ablaze with
The lightning and the thunder was
something awful. There was nothing
Use for us To do but to take it. We
got but little protection. l never
saw anything like 1t In my life. Be
low us Ia all directions we could see
fierce hailstorms and all the time We
we're being struck by large hail. This
storm continued for one and one halt
aours. The scenery was beautiful
and the coloring magnificent. In fact
it was the most beautiful coloring
that l have ever seen in natural
scenery. We started again after tn,
storm quieted down TO some extent
md ran into another storm farther
down the mountain. The lightning
Glazed necessarily aud the thunder
RULED and the hail continued to fall
We had no protection whatever and
hence kept on the move. We finally
reached Glen Cove In an exhausted
condition. My feet were hurting me
terribly. An examination convinced
me that 1 would lose about six toe
nails as my toes had pressed so hard
against the shoes, You can imagine
the pain. We pushed or and into a
l;srht min storm in the lower valley