Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-05-26
IFrom N, Manchester rirginmp.J

A HEROIC DEED.-Ir thHdffh >drtd-NHt"n'
stances sometimes give occasion for the exercise al the
nobcs feelings of human nature, and show that "ii'n
required under the prOmptngs of humanity, man w
risk even life itself the performance oil thc hishes'
deeds and that too, without the hope oil any re"ho
other than The pleasing consciousness OF having saved
the lives Of others. Such is the III the following
interesting account Of the two children oi the kev
Dr. Hamilton of Wardcnsve, Hardy county, rescued
from watery grave by the heroic efforts OF Mr. Clne
of that place. and which we hope will be caution TO
parents generally, living upon large streams, to which
their children have The narrative Is gwen by
their father Dr. Hamilton, which give entire:
"WARbEHsvILLE, May !, l-il.
son Saturday the 25th APRIL my two eldest chtlden,
Mary Ann AGED 10 wears, and John Nanderza', aged
years were rescued from watcry grave IN Iapeciphoh
river BY Mr.. Lewis Cline OF MIR. George Cline
The Children contrary to their mother order, attempt
ed 10 cross the river Capt Moses Wilson's, on ien.
porary icotbridge at the rapids, opposite tn" Forge
A. they approached the margin OF the rtv"r they were
met by Mr.. Cline, who seeing the children INTENDED
crossing the river, asked them, if they could cross
over to which they replied, they thought they could
Mr. Cline appreh"ndcd they could not pass over,
and after ascending the bank, waited with much
socitude to see them safe OH the opposite shore
NV little son proceeded first followed by his sister, I'M
til they reached the current Of the RIVER, when my son
stopped and complained Of gddness to his SISTER, and
urged her to return She in return urged hun 10 q"
forward and she would hold him. They proceeded but
step or two when nv daughter said her head ran
like grindstonc, and making mS-'cp Tell INTO
the toamng rapids and having hold Of her brother,
drew HIM into the raging element lhcE took last
hold of each other and they descended the river al
one time were seen struggling with the toamng surge,
and had rain sank beneath the rolling wave apparent
w. 10 rise no moro. The moment the children tell INTO
the foaning water the brave the intrepid the phan-
throp:c Mr. Cline leapt from the bank aud By The time
he reached the water cdre he relieved himself OF ms
coat and vest and the first leap he made into the water
sunk him 10 his CHM not hestatng moment, lie dashed
of contend with the raging element, ana orcscne The
children Afler swimming with the current a c"nSl-
dcrabe distance he discovered the children Ike dark
cloud beneath the surface. Having remained togo
Their he CAUGHT ono in each hand just before they enter
ed the SECOND rapids, where they must have inevitably
persisted Had they not been together, lie could not
have saved than of them lie cSerted hmsci;
to raise them above the water but could not My dauah-
ter thinking it was log passed over them, seized Mr.
Cline And now commenced struggle for life. Mr..
Cline exered all his strength to reach the Shore hold
ing the children in his hands; his strength failed fast
and fearful that all three must PERISH he called tor help
and was heard by Mrs Stevlch, at the Forge, who
hearing his cry, and seeing him struggling in the
water, screamed "Mr. Cline is drowning Several
women Immediately gathered together on the margin
Of the river, to assist the apparently drowning man. who
had Just reached the shore Who describe their
constituent when they Mr. Cline raise my dear chill
drcn from watery grave. They clasped their hands
and raised their fearful eyes TO heaven and prayed,
"God bless your dear soul, for saving the Doctors
children May God in the plentude of his grace,
vouchsafc to him a greater deliverance. After he
brought the children out of the water he SO far
hausted that he staggered against the adjoining fence.
Mr.. Cline deserves more than am able to give, for
his intrepid courage and thoughtfulness in rescung
my dear children. Had he not them, they would
have persisted, and no have known what had be.
come Of them.
! have thought the phanthrophy Of Mr. Cline, in
the above narrative, deserves public notice. and
sjdcring it duty to him, request you 10 give
publicity to il in your paper, and obise
Ton