Major storm paralyzes Battle

Reprint of this story from the October 9, 1903 issue of The Grand Encampment Herald brought to you courtesy of Grandma’s Cabin, Encampment, Wyoming. Preserving History - Serving the Community.

A Breezy Time Up

Around Battle

Mr. George Kuntzman, accompanied by Mrs. Kuntzman, made a trip to Battle Monday morning, leaving their little son with Mrs. Lynn. After reaching Battle, Mr. Kuntzman left his wife and went on with some associates to visit the Fulks property which they reached safely in a snow storm. On account of the bad weather they soon started to return. The swiftly falling snow obliterated their tracks behind them and covered up the trail in front so that they lost their way, and wandered around for hours in the blinding storm, finally by chance running onto the cabin from which they started. There they spent the night and again started out to find Battle. When about two miles from the village they met a searching party starting out after them. It was then necessary to return for the horses which had been left at the mine.

Tuesday morning an outfit with four horses and an empty wagon started out for Encampment. Dr. Mapes, who had been up at Dillon, followed a half hour later and soon overtook the wagon stuck in the snow, with a hopeless sea of fallen timber ahead. Being on horseback and anxious to reach home, Dr. Mapes pushed on, picking his way among the fallen trees and keeping out of the way of those heavy laden ones about to topple over. Thousands of trees, the green ones as well as the fire-killed, lying with upturned roots, told of the force of the storm. At times horse and rider would be almost out of sight in the snow drifts. After a hard tedious ride he arrived in town late Tuesday night.

A large number of people who were in Battle for supplies or mail were obliged to stay all night, and the Battle Hotel was unable to furnish accommodations for all. Some had to doze in chairs all night around the office stove.

Wednesday morning men with saws and teams started at the task of clearing the road to Grand Encampment of the fallen trees. The long hard task was finally accomplished and toward evening the mail stage, Mr. Kuntzman’s rig, and a number of others pulled into town.

This storm for the time of year is almost unprecedented, and the people of Encampment are congratulating themselves that they are not as high up in the world as their neighbors at Battle.

Minor Notes:

The citizens of Dillon have raised $1,000 for school expenses for this winter, and the townsite company has donated a quarter of a block in a very desirable location for a building site and school yard. Mrs. George Baker will be in charge. A supply of books, maps, and school furniture has been ordered. School is expected to open October 20.

The officers have as yet been unable to locate the holdup men who entered Doyle’s saloon at Dillon last week and made the occupants hand over their cash. About $400 was secured from the pockets of their victims and from the gaming tables. The job was done in the most improved dime novel fashion even to giving one man a dollar, who looked as though he hadn’t one of his own.

Byron Tillou came near being electrocuted at the smelter yesterday. A fuse wire had burned out near a motor and in attempting to replace it he formed a short circuit with a screw driver which he was using. His hand and face were badly burned and his eyes effected.