DISCOVERY OF THE LOST MAN ANDERS JONSON.

Manawatu Herald, Volume III, Issue 77, 27 May 1881, Page 2

DISCOVERY OF THE LOST MAN ANDERS JONSON.

♦ • (From the Manawatu Times.) Early yesterday morning the town was elee: ritied by the news that the man Anders Jonaon, w!(o had been missing for the past three weeks, had beeii discovered in the Hawke'a Bay Province, and safely brought into Woodville. It may be recollected that Jonson started from the Hit or Misa Claim, Fitzherbert Reef, on Sunday, May Ist, just twenty-three days ago, and as no one in Palmerston had been aware of his intention to visit the town, the fact that he did not arrive, of course, caused no apprehension, and it was not until one of his mates arrived a week later, that his loss was discovered. Search parties were immediately organised, and for nearly a week no effort was lost to try and track him, but without avail. This, of course, can be easily accounted for, as the unfortunate man having had some nine days' start of his trackers might, and as has been proved, did wander, miles upon miles from the track. It appears that from the day upon which he was lost, now over three weeks, he has neither seen a human being, nor tasted a mouthful of food save what he could pick in the . bush, in the shape of wild berries. Althouth a powerful and heavily built man, the frightful ordeal through which he has passed, has told with fearful effect upon his frame, which now bears the semblance ef that of a skeleton. The momont the news reached Woodville a volunteer party started to bring him from Jacobsen's camp, where he then was, and about two o'clock the unfortunate man was safely conveyed to Murphy's Hotel, amidst a crowd of sympathising spectators. At first it was thought that he would be able to be removed to his residence at Stoney Creek today, bnt he is so fearfully weak that it is not likely that step will be taken, particularly as he is now housed with Mr J. J. Murphy, where the care and attendance which he requites will be given to him far more easily than if he were in his own home. Considering the weather which has been experienced for the past three weeks, the total ab#ence of #41

nourishing food, the frightful struggle which he lias had to encounter in a dense \jush, the' distance which he must have travelled in the twenty-three days during which he has been on foot ; and, worst of all, the despairing thought, which as each day passed without relief, became stronger and stronger, that he was hopelessly lost for ever, it is a matter for wonder that his endurance and reason withstood the ordeal, and enabled him to struggle on against hope. From the statement of a man upon Mr Ormond's station, near to which he waß found, the unfortunate fellow mtist have been in the immediate vicinity of his rescue for many days prior to his discovery, as cries as from some one calling for help were heard at the camp fully tea days ago.