The Ordway new era., 1913-09-19

~ lives were lost In a furious
snowstorm near the summit of tho
Roof Of Europe" The victims includ-
ed two Americans. one Scotchman
and eight guides and porters from
Chamonix. Not one of the party es-
capped death. ..l.. ..
Five of the bodies were recovered
at the time Of the accident. 1t Is ex-
pected by Chamonix guides and SCI
entists that the six others will be de-
livered up by the glacier this year.
The rate of progression of glaciers
has long been observed. and accord
ing to the calculations of the authori-
ties the bodies held in the ice for
more than 40 years should reach the
valley this season.
Scientists in Europe are much inter
ested in the case. as 1t may supply
evidence to prove their theories con-
corning the speed of the annual march
of glaciers toward the valleys. but
there Is also human side to the
watch which Is being kept up. Miss
Edith Randall Of Boston has been
waiting many years in the hope OF
recovering the body Of her father.
John Randall. Boston banker. who
was one of the victims of the disaster.
and who was fifty-four years old when
he lost his life In 1870 on the Mont
Blanc summit
Last year Miss Randall came to
Chamonix. us the Ice axe and several
small articles belonging to Mr.. Ran
dali had been found by guides at the
foot of the Glacier des Blossoms. which
descends directly from the summit OF
Mont Blanc to the lip Of the valley Of
Chamonix. Many American and Eng
lish Alpinists. as well as guides. Joined
in the search for the body, but with
out result VIII the searchers have
better luck during the next few
months?
The story of this Alpine tragedy
can be told briefly. On August 26.
1870. two Engiishmen, Messrs. Stog.
dom and Marsall. with their guides
arrived at Chamonix exhausted, hav-
ing been caught in a violent snow
storm on Mont Blanc. The English
climbers met at the hotel the two
Americans. John, Randall and II. M.
Bean Of Jonesboro. Tenn, who was
hfty-four years old. and the Scotch
man. the Rev. G. McCorkingdale. aged
forty. of Glasgow. These three had
already engaged eight guides and por-
ters at Chamonix to conduct them in
easy stages to the top of Mont Blanc
The weather was doubtful in the val.
ley and bad In the mountains above.
and In view of the experience OF the
Englishmen they were warned against
attempting the ascent But the
Americans were In hurry to return
home and the warnings were disre-
garded
The first part OF the ascent, up to
the Grand Mulets. at an elevation OF
1000 feet. was accomplished in
cloudy weather. but the snow was
good and firm under foot. The party
set out on September from the hut
fof the summit in spite of strong
wind and dark clouds. Their progress
was watched with telescopes from
Chamonix. 1t was noticed that from
time to time the whole party had to
throw themselves down on the snow
to avoid being carried away by the
wind near the top
Later they were hidden from view
by clouds. When the clouds parted
the climbers were seen coming down
near the same place. Then the snow
storm became more violent and they
were again hidden. The storm lasted
eight days and nights. Not one OF the
IL climbers was seen again alive.
A week later IA Chamonix guides
attempted to reach the fatal spot. but
were driven back by the snow and
cold. On September II 2s guides and
porters set out again from Chamonix
for the summit. and amid deep. hard
snow on the north steep slope discov.
cred the bodies of flve Of the party.
Those of the Rev. Mr.. McCocktudale
and two guides lay 750 feet below the
summit. About 300 feet higher vera