Rensselaer Union and Jasper Republican, Volume 8, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 March 1876 — An Unpleasant Predicament. [ARTICLE]

An Unpleasant Predicament.

The monotony of the times in these parts was disturbed on the 15th inst., by an adventure of startling, serious consequences. A man called Morton determined to cross the river at that time in rather a novel manner. The back water covered the country for miles on the east side of the river and in places the water is quite deep. The cold snap had congealed the snow so as to have the appearance of thick ice and on which our hero concluded to cross. 80, armed with a carpetbag and a revolver, he set out for “ Barefoot” alone. He moved along briskly until he was out of sight of all save the omnipresent One, but unfortunately, as he penetrated'the thick woods he found to his sorrow that the ice adhered to the timber while the water left it, and the heat of the sun had rendered it brittle. "Onward,” however, was his watchword, and onward he went, until he found himself plunging in water a little deeper than he was able to keep his head out of. Here he threw away his carpet-bag and revolver and climbed upon some drift, which enabled him to reach shallow water, where he could wade. He waded about until he reached Bear Creek ridge, about one mile and a half from Hew Massillon. This ridge had about two acres out of water and the only other inhabitants at that time were two wild deer. Our hero rested on terra jirma here, undecided what was the beet course for him to pursue. To proceed was impossible, for Village Creek and some miles of overflowed country were yet to cross, while to retrace his steps was equally hazardous. So he concluded to remain where he was and make the best possible use of his lungs in cries for aid. His cries were heard in every direction ; but the ice rendered the use of water crafts impossible, and no one could go to his relief. In this state of suspense and real suffering Morton kept up his cries for three days and nights, when Esquire Johnson, of New Massillon, determined to go to his rescue. The ice having mostly thawed out, he was enabled to carry out his determination to . a successful completion. He reached the ridge with a skiff, and found the indiscreet yotang man unable to walk, having been there from Saturday morning until Tuesday evening, being wet all the time. His feet were badly frozen on Saturday night. Mr. Johnson got him into his skiff and took him to the village, where he was cared for, and there are fair prospects that he will recover and be able to tell to others the folly of attempting to cross the water on ice stuck to trees with the water several feet below. —Albion (N. Y.) Journal.