The Mena weekly star., 1921-01-13
ROWLING DOG
 SAVES PILOTS
Freezing Men in lce-Caked Uniforms are Guided to Ground by Animal Trio wanders in Wilderness 3
 Days Before Help Is Found.

Hearst Ont. Ian. h.--Tales of ter rible hardships endured with the ut most fortitude by the three stranded American naval balloonists from Rockaway, N. Y., in the frozen wilds of the Canadian north, were related today by Indian trappers arriving here from the lower Hudson bay dis trict. Their stories in the main cor roborated reports from Cochrane that the men were on the verge of starva- tion and were forced to eat the two remaining carrier pigeons 10 keep alive The men now are slowly wend- ing their way back to civilization by dog train. with the thermometer reg istering 30 degrees below zero. Un- less unusual storms are encountered, they should reach Mattice not later than Friday. A Pullman coach will be placed at their disposal when they leave the trail there.
 The men are in good health and spirits, the trappers say, with the eN- ception of Lieut.. Stephen A, Farrell, the eldest of the trio, who suffered greatly from frost bite and shock
 Stripped of Clothing.
 According to the stories of the In dians, the bowling of moose dog caught in trap at Shipsands, the original trading post of the Hudson Bay company, was responsible for the safety of the airmen last Sunday When they heard the dogs cries, the balloonists decided to land. The bal loon struck in clump of trees ten miles south of the post and it's oc cupants were almost stripped of their clothing in the perilous decsent.
 At the time of the landing the mer- cury was only ten degrees below zero the mildest weather for this season of the year in the history of the trad. ing post When the ment extricated themselves from the wreckage, the first words were uttered by heuten- ant Walter Hinton, 6 veteran of the historic transatlantic flight ln the NC-4, who extended gracious thanks to the Almighty for their existence.
 The next thought of the airmen was to express thanks to the unfor- tunate dog, whose howls caused them to descend. For almost forty hours the Americans had mocked death in d raging storm high in the air and for the time being they were too exhaust ed to do anything. but congratulate themselves upon their safe landing
 Coated With Ice.
 The airmen had been drenched to the skin and icicles formed over their torn clothing. For four days they wandered aimlessly in the wilderness and were at the point of despair when they were discovered by frightened Indian trapper George McClelland, the Indian mail carrier, who brought the news of the mems landing to the outside world, said that their first de- sire was to notify their wives and rel ations of their safety.
 George McClelland, who has been hitting the trail between Moose Fac tory and Mattce for seventeen yeare, said today that had the balloon drifted ten miles further north they would not have lived to tell the story. More than one hardy trapper has met his fate in that desolate region trod by human beings rarely, he said.
 Before attempting descent, the bal loonists told Mcleod, they joekeyed for eight hours to find a safe place. During that time they were tossed by raging gale that at times reached velocity of 70 miles an hour. When they crawled from the balloon, there were no signs of habitation.
 Tell Thrilling Story.
 They set out at daylight and soon met the aged Indian, Tom Marian. He took to his heels, pursued by Lieut.. Kloor. who caught the old man and in- duced him to take them to refuge. He took them to his hut and from there sent his wife to Moose Factory to notify Hudson Bay company men of the appearance of the three stran- gers Company employees then came to their aid.
 After being warmed, fed and dressed in dry clothing, the men told the thrilling story of their flight.
 Following their departure from Roekaway, N Y.. they said, their bal loon drifted northward toward the Ad- irondacks, until in the vicinity of Fork Mountain. near Wells, N r.. where it was caught in a terrific storm. The officers felt no alarm. however, and decided not to send out any of the pigeons. reserving them for a more serious situation They expected to take westerly course after reaching the St. Lawrence river, but before ar irving there they were caught in a southeast gale, which swept them to ward Canada. No effort was made to make landing until they reached the Southlands. There the three attempts were made before success was at tained. At times they floated at a high elevation and at others they dropped close to the tree tops in the hope of finding an open space.
 Eat Carrier Pigeons.
 When the men landed their cloth ing was in rags and they were with out food. the second of the pigeons having previously been eaten. Al Moose Factory immediate efforts were made to send word of their safety tc their families and friends, and Indiar runners were sent back The plan, for their own departure were started Two dog sleds were made ready ant equipment prepared. The balloonist. told Mcleod before they set out ter days ago that they planned to go |, Toronto and from there directly t, New York
 The trail by which the return tril IS being made is along the Mississipp river, the original route of the Hudsol Bay company between Moose Factor, and Mattice.
 The going along this trail now is re ported much more difficult than it wa when the Hudson Bay men went ou with the first message from tn stranded fiers. Even then two of tn runners suffered from frostbitte faces. Mcleod predicted that the hal