Excerpt from Underground Gold Miners Museum’s November 2023 Newsletter

The Mountain Democrat: 1891

Forest City Items

A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE

Sleighing Party Caught In a Blizzard

Union Blue Mine east of Alleghany Sept 12, 1907 Thomas Edwards foreman on right. Charles W. Brainard collection courtesy of June Rice. (T. Edwards is on the second sleigh mentioned in the article)On Saturday afternoon, Dec. 26th, a party of Forest City friends went to Alleghany to attend a social dance. The company left Forest City about 6, the roads being in good condition and the sleighing excellent. After the dance which broke up about 12 o’clock, several of the party decided to return to their homes over the ridge, and about half past one o’clock in the morning the following named left the hotel in Alleghany: Watson Bayles, driver, Judge W.N. Hooper (who had been in attendance at a Masonic meeting at Alleghany,) J.A. McDougal, Clarence Hooper, Roy Hooper, Miss Jessie Hilgerman, Misses Nellie and Ada Bovee of Minnesota [Flat near Chips Flat] who were visiting at the Hooper House, Miss Fessler and Miss Carrie Hooper.

By this time in the morning the weather was stormy, rain having been falling for several hours, and the roads had been rendered heavy for a sleigh, if not absolutely unsafe. About a mile from Alleghany, and when nearly to the top of the ridge, one of the singletrees broke after which it was found to be utterly impossible to make any headway, so it was resolved that the driver should go to Forest City with the horses and send back relief to the castaway in the sleigh. On account of the wretched condition of the roads, Mr. Bayles did not reach Forest City for three hours after he left the party in the sleigh. Being so completely exhausted that he could not himself return, he awakened F.H. Campbell and T. Davis who immediately left with a four-horse sleigh to bring in those left behind.

On the way they found Roy Hooper lying on the snow in a semi-conscious state, he having attempted to walk to town to obtain assistance, fearing the driver had been unable to get through and had become exhausted and unable to proceed. Clarence Hooper also left the party and succeeded in getting to town in an almost helpless condition after two hours and a half battling with the snow and storm. Campbell and Davis reached the party about half past nine-o’clock. [next morning!]

Before the rescue party reached the scene of the breakdown, a second party which left Alleghany about seven o’clock, had found the unfortunates and had immediately set to work to revive those who were unconscious and to relieve the sufferings of the rest.

The second sleigh was driven by _ Miller, and contained the following named: T. Edwards and wife, N. Hooper, Miss Zetta Heintzen, Miss Florence Fessler, and Miss Mac Meroux of Downieville. The first thought was to build a fire, but no dry material could be found in the vicinity. Miss Zetta Heintzen, realizing the imperative necessity for immediate warmth, tore off her underskirts and used it for kindling and by this means a rousing fire was soon started and everything that could be was done for the sufferers. When the rescuing sleigh arrived, they were transferred to it and brought to town in an apparently dying condition. Jessie Hilgerman was cared for at her home and Miss Nellie Bovee was carried in an unconscious condition to the Hooper House and was cared for by Mrs. Hooper and Rev. V.M. Mason who did all in their power to save the girl’s life. After an hour’s work they were rewarded by signs of returning animation. Judge Hooper was put to bed and nursed by his wife and soon felt much relieved. By evening the parties were considered out of danger and we hope no serious results may come from this terrible night’s exposure.

Thanks to museum supporter Lynne Bajuk for submitting this article for our archives.