The Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1850-1852, 1850-05-23
Fvow the Frsnk. W. ". Re,iew.
TIE GREAT SWIMMER.
FEAT or sTRtNGrbl
AND ENDURANC


| We do not know that we have eve
either heard or read Of a more singula
instance Of strength and endurance il
a horse. than is evidenced in the follow
ing incident furnished us by our fricnc
Capt. William A. Stephenson, of thi,
county. In january last. Capt. Ste.
phebson started south with y drove Of
mules and horses. and proceeded will,
them ds far ms the junction Of the Big
Warrior and Little Warrior Rivers,
where they form the Black Warrior, in
Blout C.mnty, Alabama. Here he
found the bridge across the Big War
rior- the usual crossing plnce--hnd
been swept away by the high waters,
aud the ferry boat entirely too small
and frail to carry his stock over in safe
ty. lie at once determined TO swim
them across ns the only means left Of
enabling him to proceed with them
promptly to his destination, and they
were accordingly driven into the current
aud started across the river
With great difficulty they landed safe
with the exception of Il large chcsnu,
sorrcl, who probably entering the stream
too low, WAS swop; gradually down by
the force Of the current ill it, depth
and rapidi,y. and the steepness of the
river bank rendered il impossible to &c,
him out. Capt. Stephenson followed
him along the bank for several miles,
from half past two o'clock Monday NJ
ternoon, until late at night, when it be-
came too dark 10 see him, the horse still
swimming against the current, aud pre-
senting its whole force with the most
determined resolution. On Tuesday,
Capt. Stephenson offered reward to
any one who should get him out alive !;
number Of the ncighbors watched the
gallant swimmer, but without being able
10 make any successful attempt toward,
his rescue. Several times lac made
towards the bank, hut lis rocky steep
ness prevented his getting foothulL
and sent him back TO buffet yainly IL
gainst the sweeping current.
AT one time heavy piece Of floating
drift wood struck his back, and even
with this heavy burden pressing on him,
he struggled upwaad as bravcly but II,
Intellectually as before. The darkness
Of the night again hid him from their
view, and none believed that he could
survive the long and chilling struggle.
On Wednesday morning. however, the
watchers on the bank again found the
noble animal some miles lower down,
still will, his head up stream, and brave
ly contcnding with the cold and power
full current. Through all that day he
maintained his position against the
stream, though still carried further down
every hour, until towards night, he
ncarcd a temporary island formed by
slnc running over the lower grounds
il. a, this poin, worthy
old farmer Of the ncig'borhood, Mr.
John Porter, succeeded in turning him
towards the island, which, with great
difficulty, he succeeded III reaching.
So soon ns he saw him safely landed.
Mr.. Porter procured halter. and at
grca, personal hazard, about 8 O'clock
Wednesday night. waded through the
slue, supporting himself by the brush
and underground, until he reached the
island, distance Of some 20 or 50
yards, from whence he soon returned
with tho gallant swimmer safely aud
successfully. Chilled, wearic1, aud worn
down with the long struggle from Mon
day afternoon AT 2 | 2 O'Clock, till We'd
ncsday night u, < O'Clock, he wa. hardly
able to walk, bu, the Kind care and at.
,cn,ion Of Mr., Porter, in the cour,c of
a few weeks, has perfectly restored him
to his wonted energy and life. Fifty.
three hours constant struggling, night
aud day, against Ihe swellin. current of
such stream ss Black Warrior. with
out food or rect, Ii an exhibition Of
strength and endurance wL,ch No have
never before lno~n, and which VII
lin,oson II"rse, lie Swimmer, wc PIE
sumo could alone perform. The fact
that it MAS done is incnn,esiille.
Capt. Si"Ii"nson, the owner OF the
horse, is vel known amongst u. H.
gentleman Of correctness and integrity,
and nho-e siai'm'nis are both truthful
aud reliable. Beside this, the fact j.
-ii'i further confirmed by Mr.. Porter.
Mr.. Alexander, Mr. GoIJsby. leo.
lluf.,utile, nnd number Of other gen
.lrman in ihs, neisiiboI hood, all u the
highe-t re.pecial'ility, and eye.~ illnesses
to the scene. We challenge either he.
Tory or personal experience, si-e~lare,
To BEAT H. Capt. Sie,ensoh rode Tie
borss on his ie,nrn home, .~immirg
seversi sireams with lin, aud b. j. nov
looking sound sud we'll. and in IA. ihri,.
ing condition ~ ever, though lie marx
at the heavy drifi-~nd on his bs@k,
and the srsss on his kness fran biz re
....,..I eA..rts a.. ,-ii...t. al. .,C.f i..,..k