Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1916-08-02

Bangor Man Rolls Down MIL In
Barning Camp.

n&8kVt @388 A~&r*S r~
Barning Camp.
william A. Frcese. ths we'll known Ban
gor railway mail clerk, bad thrilling ex-
psrience Tuesday night Of last vssk. when
the camp in ~hich he ~as stopping alone
rolled down . seventyfve foot bank into
. river. and caught Gre.
Mr.. Freess, some ave or six years ago,
built camp al Van Barren, on the bank
OF the st. john river. ~ be 10 Obliged to
PASS much iiuse in Van Buren,. being
postal clerk on the BAnxor-vsn Barren
run. he found If much pleasartsr to have
. camp, fited comfortably and In an ideal
location On an eminence commanding .
magnificent view OF the 81 John river.
The camp is abou, SKIS feet, and contains
living room. two bedrooms and kitchen.
Tuesday afternoon it rsincd. but Dir.
Freeze, wAo Was alone at the camp, felt no
concern, a. there was no indication at frst
OF any disaster. In the evening the rain
increased to 4 terrific downpour, sptly
described later ss q cloud burst. Between
10 and II O'Clock q, night there we're sew
ersl Terrible flashes OF lightning, and
tree, which had been struck, fell upon the
camp, knocking ever = lighted lamp
Fearing that the lamp would set hrr to
the camp, Mr.. Freese seised IL and threw
II out OF the door. Returning, he was
sbou, TO seize . second lighted lamp,
which be was using. when there was .
binding fash, and another big tree Tell
upon tbs camp. The rain Vas by this
time descending in Tremendous volume,
and landslide added to The horror OF the
situation.
Before be was aware OF what vas hap
pening, the camp started on q slide to-
ward the river. turning over in The
descent. The remaining lamp had been
overturned, and set fire to the contents OF
the room.
Mr.. Freese IL unable to give any ade-
qgate idea OF his sensations while being
hurled do~n the bank inside the building,
with t~o sssyes, furniture and numerous
articles In ire rooms ia one general mix
up. Fortunately there was no fire in
either stove, and. more fortunately stiIi,
Mr.. Free~e was not struck by either the
stoves or the heavy pieces Of furniture
with sufficient force to critically injure
him.
lie recalls one terrible nightmare OF re-
yolvinx house, furniture, etc, and at
Intervals .biinding flashes OF lightning.
making more vivid the Dire insiae the
camp. Then there was crash when the
camp landed bottom side up on the bank
OF the river and partially in the water.
Mr.. Frccse coesnt know hos long be
lay partly stunned. Finally, getting his
bearings by the lightning flashes, he
found that by great good fortune . win
dow no; closed by shutters ~as upper
most, the other ~indows having bad tho
shutters closed and fastened. Craw ling
as b~si be eould in bis injured condition.
be made his way slowly 10 this window.
breaking out the sash and scra 10 bling to
the ground.
In the meantime this terrific do~npour
had exsiuguished the flames in the camp.
On hands and knees, stumbling and
Staggering. Mr.. Freess macs his way up
the high bank, hos, he hardly knows.
Then through the rain, clad only In
shirt and trousers, cut and bruised. bat
With undauuted nerve, he made his way
TO the hotel. An examination disclosed
. badly sprsined and discoiored kn.e, .
cut on bis right shoulder. ieft arm par
italy dssabaed and minor broisss. cass
and injuries
Mr.. freese IL . veteran 10 the mail SER
vice, having been postal clerk for many
years. He was formerly employed in the
Bangor possofBce and for . number OF
years was employed By ths WAtg and