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Show .; v" -, . a 3Vv? . Randall 7 CHE last chapter In the history his-tory of the greatest fatality fatal-ity In the annals of mountain moun-tain climbing in the Alps, K3l-JT which occurred on Mont 5"is3 LSlanc just 43 years ago, J may be written this sum-yp sum-yp f mor. By this accident 11 Vu-& ) lives were lost in a furious snowstorm near the summit of the "Hoof of Europe." The victims included includ-ed two Americans, one Scotchman and eight guides and porters from Chamonix. Not one of the party escaped es-caped death. Five of the bodies were recovered at the time of the accident. It is expected ex-pected by Chamonix guides and sci-entists sci-entists that the six others will be delivered de-livered up by the glacier this year. The rate of progression of glaciers has long been observed, and according accord-ing to the calculations of the authorities authori-ties the bodies held in the Ice for more than 40 years should reach the valley this season. Scientists in Europe are much interested inter-ested in the case, as it may supply evidence to prove their theories concerning con-cerning the speed of the annual march of glaciers toward the valleys, but there Is also a human side to the watch which is being kept up. Miss 1 Edith Randall of Boston has been waiting many years in the hope of recovering the body of her father, John Randall, a Boston banker, who was one of the victims of the disaster, and who was fifty-four years old when he lost his life in 1870 on the Mont Blanc summit. Last year Miss Randall came to , Chamonix, as the ice axe and several small articles belonging to Mr. Randall Ran-dall had been found by guides at the foot of the Glacier des Bossons, which descends directly from the summit of Mont Blanc to the lip of the valley of Chamonix. Many American and English Eng-lish Alpinists, as well as guides, joined in the search for the body, but without with-out result. Will the searchers have better luck during the next few months? The story of this Alpine tragedy can be told briefly. On August 26. 1870, two Englishmen, Messrs. Stog-dom Stog-dom and Marsall, with their guides arrived at Chamonix exhausted, having hav-ing been caught in a violent snowstorm snow-storm on Mont Blanc. The English climbers met at the hotel the two Americans, John Randall and H. M. Bean of Jonesboro, Tenn., who was fifty-four years old, and the Scotchman, Scotch-man, the Rev. G. McCorkingdale, ag?d forty, of Glasgow. These three hail already engaged eight guides and porters por-ters at Chamonix to conduct them In easy stages to the top of Mont Blanc. The weather was doubtful in the valley val-ley and bad in the .mountains above, and in view of the experience of the Englishmen they were warned against attempting the ascent. But the Americans were in a hurry to return home and the warnings were disregarded. disre-garded. The first part of the ascent, up to the Grand Mulets, at an elevation of 10,010 feet, was accomplished In cloudy weather, but the snow was good and firm under foot. The party . set out on September 6 from the hut for the summit in spite of a strong wind and dark clouds. Their progress was watched with telescopes from Chamonix. It was noticed that from time to time the whole party had to throw themselves down on the snow-to snow-to avoid being carried away by the wind near the top. Later they were hidden from view by clouds. When the clouds parted the climbers were seen coming down near the same place. Then the snowstorm snow-storm became more violent and they were again hidden. The storm lasted eight days and nights. Not one of the 11 climbers was seen again alive. A week later 14 Chamonix guides attempted to reach the fatal spot, but were driven back by the snow and cold. On September 17 23 guides and porters, set out again from Chamonix for the summit, and amid deep, hard snow on the north steep slope discovered discov-ered the bodies of five of the party. Those of the Rev. Mr. McCockindale and two guides lay 750 feet below the summit. About 300 feet higher were MFfS WEIL FOR FMER MM hi nan " ' " -" IS f S " - ; f -, X&? " kXj , TToulh of Cla.?Let the bodies of Mr. Bean and a porter. The former was in a sitting posture with his head leaning on one hand and the elbow on a knapsack. Upon Mr. Bean a notebook was found containing entries which throw a light upon the great sufferings experienced ex-perienced by the party. He had also written a farewell note to his wife. In all five corpses were found out of lx and they were frozen hard. The bodies were placed in Backs and carried car-ried down the glaciers. The guides were three days In reaching Chamonix, Chamo-nix, as the weather again became bad. Althousn 43 years have passed, the six other bodies, including those of Mr. Randall and the guides, have not yet been delivered up by the Alpine river of ice, though 40 years up to now has been the longest period the glacier has been known 7to retain its dead. The remains of Mr. Bean and Mr. McCorkindale are buried side by side In the little English church cemetery ceme-tery at Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, and perhaps Mr. Randall will join his comrades soon. Mr. Bean's notebook and his pathetic pa-thetic letter to his wife explain the tragedy and the sufferings of the par ty. The entries In the notebook are as follows: "Tuesday, Sept. 6 (1870). I have made the ascent of Mont Blanc with ten persons eight guides, Mr. McCorkindale Mc-Corkindale and Mr. Randall. We arrived ar-rived at the summit at half past 2. Immediately after leaving it I was enveloped in clouds of snow. We passed the night in a grotto excavated out of the snow, affording very uncomfortable un-comfortable shelter, and I was ill all night. "Mont Blanc, Sept. 7. If any one finds this notebook I beg that It may be sent to Mrs. H. M. Bean, Jonesboro, Jones-boro, Tenn., United States of America." The letter to his wife said: "My Dear Hessie: We have been on Mont Blanc for two days In a terrible ter-rible snowstorm. We have lost our way and are In a hole scooped out of the snow at a height of 15,000 feet. I have no hope of descending. Perhaps Per-haps this book may be found and forwarded. for-warded. We have no food; my feet are already frozen and I am exhausted. exhaust-ed. I have only strength to write a few words. I die In the faith of Jesus Christ. Affectionate thoughts to you and my family. My remembrances to all. Good-by." |
