Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 26, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1895 — RODE ON AN AVALANCHE. [ARTICLE]

RODE ON AN AVALANCHE.

Thrilling: Experience of ■ British Colombia Citixen in the Northwest. Henry Saunders, a prominent merchant of Victoria, B. C., has Just returned from Alberni, where he has been Inspecting various gold quartz properties In which he Is financially Interested. On his homeward journey be decided to take a short cut across the mountains, the snow apparently offfcrlnsr a better road for walking than trail. * Some few miles were made safely and comfortably, and then a soft spot was struck, lu which Saunders struggled to regain his foothold. At the same time a giant boulder detached Itself and went tumbling down to the canyon. Released suddenly, the entire snow-covered side of the mountain commenced to slide. Saunders saw nothing but Immediate and awful death before him, and In desperation clung to the side of the avalanche, which, gathering momentum as It progressed, soon had developed express-train speed and power to sweep down giant trees of centuries* growth as though they were matches. The trip of the avalanche and Its Involuntary passenger ‘ was about four miles altogether, and It was accomplished )n less than a quarter of an hour. Saunders, at the foot of the mountain, found himself hurled Into the Alberni River and against a submerged boulder with such force as to partly stun hltn. He mechanically exerted himself to reach the nearest shore, and did so. Mr. Saunders, lu telling of his adventure of his return, said: “It was a very close call, and one I am not likely to soon forget. I had barely stepped on the soft snow when off It started, bearing me with It I hardly knew what was happening until I found myself struggling In the ley cold waters of the creek. It Is not a trip one would voluntnrily undertake, for the quickness of passage does not permit of any admiration of the scenery."