The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-03-06
An Adventure on Dead River OF Near.
ly Century Ago

John Hutchins who was born in
New Portland. November is, 1901,
was one of the old time trappers and
the Big Woods Editor has lately come
into possession of some of his expert
ences which probably occurred about
one hundred years ago. One OF these
was thrilling tale of the Dead River
region and taken in the words OF the
old hunter is an interesting narrative.
Handed down from generation to gen
GRAFTON the adventure comes to us as
related by Mr. Hutchins in the follow
ing paragraphs
ut must have taken place nearly
forty years ago in the State of Maine.
1t was on my second long trapping
excursion. | went into the woods
with one Captain John Churchill,
great trapper and hunter. After we
had killed nine moose, we concluded
that one of US had better return home
and notify our friends and neighbors
that they could have plenty of moose
meat by coming into the woods after
it. And so | started home for that
purpose We were then on the head
waters of the Androscoggin, about
thirty miles from the headwaters of
the Dead River, where our home
shanty was. The plan was for me
to follow our line of traps, taking
along what fur | found, and skinning
and stretching it at the home-shanty,
where | was to remain the first
night. But instead of doing so,
thought, on reaching the shanty, as
the sun was still an hour and half
high, that | would leave the fur for
Churchill to skin, and go on several
miles down the Dead River to Fol
SONS house, but | thought could go
about half way to the place where
Captain Churchill and | had camped
when we went into the woods. So
| trampcd on. 1t was one of the
cold, sharp biting days in February
and the wind blew and the snow flew
awfully. | got to the shanty about
dark, and carefully collected a pile of
dry sticks for kindling. spread my
blanket in the corner, and prepared
to, have a comfortable night of it.
Then ! went to my knapsack to get
my flint and steel to light my fire with
but they were missing. | searched
every corner in vain and finally con-
Guided that | had left them back in
camp. By this time it was dark and
piercing cold, and | hardly knew what
to do. 1t was too late to think of
returning to the camp, and l knew
| should freeze to death II | remain
ed where | was. So, after thinking
it all over, | concluded to go on to
Folsoms | thought If | could get
to the river, the ice would be strong
enough to hold me and | would be
easier travelling and a straight road.
Il continued my course down the
river until ! came to a series of falls.
Here the river was open, and | was
obliged to leave the ice and travel
Oh land until | got by the falls. After,
as | thought. | had got by all danger,
and supposing the ice strong enough
TO bear me, | grasped an alder bush
and slid down onto the ice. But the
ice wasn't as strong as | had calcu
lated and so. instead of landing on
solid bottom, | went straight through.
| went in up to my neck, and was
only saved from going completely
under by the alder bush. to which
still clung | managed by dint of
some maneQNeflnG 10 ulSenBaBe my
self from my snoWshoes and KNAPP
sack. These. with my Ratchet. I
showed from me ON the ice | then
pulled myself out and went on, but
before ! had gone twenty rods. my
clothes were frozen stiff. | kept
on for some distance further down
stream, to where the river was not
so rapid and concluded to try the ice
again But had no better luck than
before. The ice gave way, and in
went again, just as | did before. |
felt pretty bad, | can tell you. about
that time; but managed to get out
and go on again The walking was
so hard that | couldn't help trying the
ice once more. ! ought to have
known better, or at least taken bet
ter care, after getting in twice but
somehow | didn't. | slid down onto