Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 October 1874 — Hunt for a Lost Man—His Experience in the Woods. [ARTICLE]

Hunt for a Lost Man—His Experience in the Woods.

The w arm side of human nature as fopud in the hearts of more thau 200 Wisconsin's lumbermen displayed its <»if during the past #eek id a search af’. er a Ua'm-itoy (although a man in business on the Wisconsin Centr Railroad. The young man was employed off the runs between Menasha Marshfield. His residence is the former place, where live his wife and onc child. And it all came about m this wise: On Friday, the 9th conceived the novel idea of huntin g partridges with a revolver, and in or der to give shape to his thought left upward-bound train at Mill (’reek Nation, some fifteen miles northwest of ’.tm city. It was his intention to retur Q on the first incoming car, which was due one hour from thentime he entered the pinery. Alas for human purpQßq a nd expectation! A few rods from the station and he was as thoroughly ’oewildered as though a hundred miles i atervened between him and civilization. His hunt for - game proved fruitless, as well as effort to retrace His steps The eastward-bound train signalized its approach, but in his dismay Tie failed utterly tp rheognize locality or appreciate distance. All around him giant forest trees spread their branches in mute mockery, night ’drew riear, the cold air swept by' with bitter moans, and alone and despairing Jos. L. ltobinson realized that he was lost. His agony may not be pictured. His wife waited in vain for his footstep, and his infant child for his wonted kiss and carsss. But stout hearts were panting for the search and brave men 'making ready to relieve him. Tlie down train brought the news and the next conveyance took twenty or thirty to aid in the rescue. No success attended their efforts. Oil Monday the services of the Wisconsin Central were brought into requisition, and specials rah Hither and thither as occasion required. All who had commenced the search remained in the woods during Sunday and Monday. On Tuesday morning the excitement was intense. Another extra was sent up with nearly seventy men under the direction of W. G. Hiuman. Another party of twenty took the regular—train—to—Section—l9, and started from the track in a northerly direction. These were under the charge of W. B. Buckingham, Esq., cashier of the Central Bank of this city. Otherparties from Kenosha and other points were at the same time vigorously prosecuting the search in other directions. It were utterly vain to convey any conception of the prevailing excitement. Telegrams were sent here and there all along the line. The shrill whistle of the locomotive, an agreed signal, disturbed tlie stillness of the night, and when the young man whs found on Tuesday excitement gave place to enthusiastic shouts and tumultuous yells. His four days’ sojourn in the woods was fraught with danger and exciting incident. When he first realized that he was lost he wrote and fastened twig the following note: Jam lost in the woods and can't find ray way blit. ’ 1 J. L. Robinson. October 9. . After sleeping on the ground during Friday night he moved on and dropped the follow ing in liis path: I inn lost in the - woods; if anybody will show me out I will give then. $5. Xam news agent on tint Wisconsin Central Road. Keep calling me; m ln-ar I will come. J. L. Robinson. October 10, Saturday. At this time if he had taken a southerly course it would have brought him to the railroad track. Instead, however, he went north, reaching the east side of Bear Creek, where he left another communication, as follows: I am tost, and can't find my way out. Look for me and you shall have SIOO reward. J. L. Robinson - . A little farther on he dropped his handkerchief, which, together with the former memorandums, aided largely in the success of his search. O* Sunday he reached an old haying camp of G. & .T. Powell, where he found several bushels of potatoes and some salt. Here he remained until Monday afternoon, when he left the following written on an old tea-chest cover: Friends. lam lost. For God's sake look for me. I am starring to death; can't find anything to eat. Five hundred dollars to the one that finds.me and leads me out of these woods. I live iu Menasha. Wis. My name is Joseph L. Robinson. Carry the news to my poor wife. lam going to leave here in the morning. Igo right straight through the woods. Please hunt after meisuid you will be well paid for yotir trouble. May God have mercy on my sotti. Tell my wife my last words were about her. Directions—Mrs. M. V. Robinson. Menashft,-WLs. I leave Tuesday about nine o'clock. Five hundred dollars to any man that finds me and ktads me out of these woods, and takes me home to my familv. OGod! I am starving to death bv inches. Follow me. won't you. for God s sake, it is hard to give up life. I haven't had anything to eat since last Friday. If 1 am dead when you find me. take me home. Joseph L. Robinson, Menasha. Wis. On Tuesday he was discovered near this shanty, and on perceiving his rescuers he shouted, “I am lost; I am lost, I am lost 1” and then lying on the ground and kicking with till his might he cried, “ I am found, I am found,; I am-found!'’ The discovery was made by Mr. Buckingham's party, and now Robinson is at home with his friends, with a wholesome horror of pistols and partridges. Too much praise cannot be accorded life Wisconsin Central and its able manager, E. B. Phillips, Esq. Extra trains were run every little while, free to all desirous of assisting in the search. TH£ employes were sent out in all directions, and no expense was spared to expedite the efforts of citizens. — Stevens' Point , Wis.,(oct. 16) Cor. Chicago Times.