Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1921-03-11
Suffers II Days
With Frozen Feet
AT MOUNTAIN CABIN AT HEAD
OF OROFIN0 CREEK IS ExpER-
IENCE OF GUS MOSHER

Gus Mosher, resident Of the
Pierce district. reached Oroflno ON
this mornings passenger from Cre,r
to receive surgical attention at the
shoemaker hospital. Mr.. Mosher
has gone through an experience Of
hardship and suffering that is almost
unbelievable and his story riyaIs
the pages of fiction for patience and
determination. Mr. Mosher. who ia
about 55 years OF age, left Pierce
city about II a. m. on Christmaa
day intending to reach his cabin 81
the head of Orofno Creek about
IL miles from Hemlock Butte the
same day He was .uccompanied a
portion of the way after leaving
P1erce by miner VIII. was going to
his prospect on French mountain
and Mosher, having t, o pair of bear
paw snow shoes. proposed to mis-
companion that they 20 to the lat
ter's cabin and remain all night
winch would enable Mosher to get
an early morning start next day
and work around the side of French
Mountain to the divide between the
mead of French Creek and one
branch of Orofino creek His prom
osition was not carried out. however.
and Mosher continued over the ton
OF French Mountain, which is one
or the highest peaks in that locality.
HIS clothing became wet from the
railing snow and travel was delayed
Dyeslnking in the wet snow to a
depth OF inches, making it impos-
sible to reach his cabin on Christ
mas day. On the top of French
Mountain he encountered a blizzard
which froze his wet clothes, and to
make matters worse. darkness came
on, and he was unable to locate the
divide between French Creek and
the Orofino. After numerous trials
he ALWAYS came to the same spot
and finally took down the steep side
OF French Mountain and struck
French creek at the reservoir. He
stayed in the bunk house at the,
Golden Gate mine for Ave days at
tending to his frozen hands and feet.
gathering fuel as best he could un-
til provisions and fire wood became
low. necessitating a further move to-
ward his lonely cabin three miles
away. where he had a supply OF
grub and fire wood.
He rugged up a pair OF crude
crutches to assist him and strapped
the snowshoes to his frozen feet and
crawled and dragged himself to his
cabin. leaving the Golden Gate at
daylight and reaching his mountain
cabin at 2 p. m. The snowshoes
were fastened SO tightly to his feet
as to stop the blood circulation and
he was in a terrible condition when
he reached his own place. He poul-
ticed his frozen feet with oat meal
and was constantly working on his
frozen limbs. getting about a half
hours sleep at intervals.
His supply Of wood getting low.
he was compelled to go out in the
timber and fell tree. His left leg
was helpless below the knee and on
this limb he fastened ten gallon
can filled with blankets to prevent
its collapsing when ne bore his
weight on it, and with the aid of q
snowshoe on the other foot and a
crude crutch he went into the tim
bar . short distance and gathered a.
supply of fire wood. He was unable
to fall a tree by use or an ak and
saw because he could not move fast
enough to get out of the way of the
falling tree. He felled the tree with
two shots of dynamite and after
saving off the blocks pitched them
ahead of him in numerous relays to
his cabin.
On being asked if he became dis
couraged he smilingly replied he did
not have time: was too busy caring
for his frozen lirnbs al nrNviding
fuel, etc. DR. Horswill hopes to
save the greater portion of his left
foot. He is able to stand slightly
on his right foot. which will likely
heal entirely. He laughingly re-
marked that his left foot now put
ting on new flesh, would rid him of
number of troublesome corns and
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