Page 5…Historical Edition-May 4, 1978-Wahkiakum Eagle Tragic Death Was Pioneer Fact of Life The following is a report written word for word in the “Cathlamet Gazette”. It is dated February 17, 1893 and the editors were George M. Cornwall and Alfred Davis. Life of the country pioneer families was very difficult. A Horrible Death There are few occasions in the annals of history where conditions demanded the display of more real courage and heroic action on the part of children than occurred last week about six miles from Cathlamet. The three little heroes, for such indeed they are in every sense of the word, were Aggie Cardinell, age 9, Josie 7 and Dora 4. The circumstances under which these three brave little souls bore up with all the courage of Spartans will go thundering down the ages, as a precedent of what will power and self-composure may be envinced by children of such a tender age. The very recital of the facts are enough to cause tears to come to the eyes of the strongest. Imagination alone can but feebly portray the situation. Joseph Cardinell left his wife and children last Monday morning to go to work for Charley Thomas on his claim about two miles distant. He told his wife that if the snow, which was then about three feet deep, got deeper, he would return home at once. Otherwise, he would not return home until the following Saturday night. Everything went well until 4 o’clock in the afternoon on Monday, when Mrs. Cardinell stepped out the back door to the spring about 30 feet from the house, where they got water. The spring was about eighteen inches deep. Little did the children realize that in a few minutes they would become orphans and their mother’s soul would be wafted to its creator. Surrounding the spring was three feet of snow which had begun to thaw. Mrs. Cardinell was a very large women, weighing over 300 pounds, and in stooping down to get a pail of water fell headlong into the spring, her head becoming entangled under a root. She was unable to extricate herself and she slowly succumbed. The little children tugged away for dear life, but of no avail. The children in their half-frantic efforts to release their mother, pulled her shoes and stockings from her feet. When we come to consider that this tragedy occurred in the lonely woods, two miles from any neighbor, with three feet of snow on the ground and innumerable wildcats, cougars and panthers in the area, the feeling of utter dismay and hopelessness which must have come over these little heroes, can never be fully realized. The eldest child, Aggie, seemed to at once realize the demands of the situation, and after soothing the feelings of the younger sisters, set to work to keep themselves alive until relief came. Aggie had been taught to cook by her mother, who often had to leave them alone for a few hours. This preparation saved their lives. After feeding the horse in the barn, they ate their supper and retired to rest. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and until 10 o’clock Saturday morning elapsed before their Father came home. The children had made an attempt to leave their prison, but the depth of the snow drove them back. The remains of Mrs. Cardinell were borne to Cathlamet where they were feelingly interred Tuesday afternoon. As no coffin could be procured to suit the remains, a special one had to be manufactured. The deceased was 27 years of age and was of French descent. She has a sister living in Ilwaco. Mrs. Cardinell’s mother, Mrs. Greenleaf, resides in Butteville. Mrs. Cardinell also has a sister, Mrs. Ohlegschlager, and another sister, Mrs. M. Lynch who resides on Market Street between First and Front, Portland. (As transcribed by the Wahkiakum County Historical Society 2005 from original newspaper collection.)