Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-03-23
FRIDAY, MARCH IS, 1889.
From, the Utica Eiucidator.

Obio river and other western waters, and the
dreadful calamities which have attended il. The
following particulars Of an event on the Alum
creek, we are permitted to copy from letter
from j. r. Swan, Esq. Of Columbus. Ohio, to
George Brayton. Of Western, in this county,
Mr.. Theodore ID Weld, the subject Of 1t, Is a
we'll known CITIZEN of this county, now on tour
as agent for the society in New York for the pro-
motion of manual labor institutions. The letter
originally intended for the eye and ear OF private
friends, will be read with intense interest, espe-
cially by Mr.. YIELDS numerous friends and ac-
ouaintances. The following are the extracts
which we shall take.
COLUMBUS, Feb. 16, 1s32.-Mr. Theodore
d. Weld came here yesterday. The Legislature
adjourned on Monday last; consequently he was
disappointed in not being able to present the OBJ
iect of his tour to them. The country IL Hood
ed by rains, and the streams or a, least the Sci
oto, have no, been so high since 1907. The sta
ees are lumber ,UagOns, with four horses. FRI
3ay night last the 10th. Mr.. Weld, with one 9TH
er passenger and two stage drivers, attempted to
cross Alum creek, few miles east Of Columbus.
The horses planyed in, and were instantly swim
ming. The wagon tilted and threw the other
passengers and drivers upon one side. and they
we're washed ON to the shore. Mr.. w. was thrown
near the axle tree. an, caught hold of the upright
The driver erked his horses SO asto bring the lea
ders up the stream, is there was but one place
where they could swim out. and they were rapid
" floating with the swift current. This move
ment threw every thing into confusion. MIR. Weld
found himself near the heads Of the leaders, aud
th,y (being martirgaled so that their heads were
drawn into the water,) were pluDging and strug-
cling. To prevent himself from being struck by
them, he attempted to seize them by the head
stall. but was struck down, and came up between
the wheel horses ard the leaders. He was again
struck down. and again rose in the midst OF the
mass Of horses and wagon, and found himself en-
tangled.
Having struggled for some time, he was sensi-
ble that the lines. or whatever else it was that
held him, we're giving way: he caught hold of the
headstail of one Of the horses, and placing one
foot upon the breast Of the horse, cleared himself
and Began to SWIM down the stream. 1t was
about midnight, and the moon had sunk: but there
wa. sufficient light to see that the bank was steep.
and afforded no place to ascend. He continued
70 swim down the stream abouta quarter of a mile,
when he saw a place that seemed to promise
slooins bank. He made for it, and reached it,
found a place where the torrent had washed un-
der hill, and there was no means OF obtaining
re.t. except by sexing upon the roots which pro-
iected from under the bank. He seIzed upon
roo,. but was soon washed away BY the rapid cur
rent. He then went down for considerable
distance, and perceiving on the other side place
at which he nigh, make his escape, he made almost
death struggle to reach it. He was almost ex-
haus,ed, having gone down about mile, and ha-
wing been thrown into small whirlpool, where
one of mis- legs was struck by log or rock, which
rendered it useless in swimming, and being en-
numbered with his cloak. surtout, overhauls, and
overshoes, he took oft his cloak. and (sWimmlng
on his back. endeavored to take OF his upper
sartout. This he found he could not do. tie
then tore the front Of it, and finding ne could not
tear it of. he took the skirts, one IN each !hand'
aud tore it up the back, but finally gave It up
He pushed cff his boots. H. got one partly of,
but they were too much soaked. and his feet too
much swollen to enable him to rid himself OF them.
He continued to 60 down the stream without
any effort. except keeping himself above water.
until he saw tree which had fallen from the
hank into the water. He put forth all his
strength to reach It, and was barely able to reach
. branch. 1t was covered with ice; his hand
slipped; he caught another branch. but his hands
having lost all their power, he could hold on but
a moment At this instant he saw some bushes
a, short distance, which he Immediately swan
70. ard there. for the first time. put his feet up
on the bottom of the stream. The water was
M TO his waist. and looking about, he discover
ed that the bank was about the height OF hive feet
perpendicular. and that his only foot hold and
place of safety was where he was then standing
IN the water. He could see no lieht-nothlng
but an untouched and solitary wilderness about
him. He thought it useless to cry for help IN
that dead hour Of night; he was upwards OF a
mile from the place where he went into the
stream, chilled through and exhausted. He did
endeavor. however, to cry for help; he could at
first hardly raise the sound OF his his voice, but
was at length able to cry out He cried for help
and listened; and cried and listened until he was
enurelv exhausted; no sound was heard to an
aver him. H. had lost all feeling in his limbs;
was in no pain; his eye-sisht began to fail' and
10 cnuId NO longer hear the voice of the waters.
He knew. (seemingIy,l that he was diving, but
had oresence~Sf mind enough to lean over upon
The bushes, 50 that his body should not be swept
swsy.. The last ray Of reason finally left him,
and he had passed the last conscious struggle OF
l--A.xx