Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1854-07-11
[FaoM THE BUFFALO DEMocRAr.l

[FRoM THE BUFFALO DEMocRAr.]
Among the sturdy pioneers to whom
this town is indebted, for the inception
Of its prosperity, is James Sloan, Of
Black Rock, gentleman but little
known, prone to reliracy, modest and
diiTident in department, but with the
strong common sense, determined ener.
gy, and abiding honor and honesty Of
Jackson. The history Of his connection
with the early efforts Of Buffalo to make
good the position Nature had given her;
the almost dishearlcning struggles in
which her infancy was passed; the com.
bats with luke.warm faith at home, and
open opposition from abroad, would in.
terest and instruct our readers, unac.
quainted with The facts:
One day, in the month Of June, 1922,
when returning by the river from Chip.
pewa, and having arrived abreast the
hend Of Navy Island. he discovered an
object drifting rapidly down the current,
which, from the reiterated cries for help,
he was shocked to find, was human
being. His own boat being one used
for conveying salt was unmanageably
heavy, and TO trust to her for rescuing
the poor fellow, would have heen to en-.
sure his own loss, as well, perhaps, as
that of the crew. He turned her, there.
fore, towards the shore, and leaping up.
on the stand near Chippewa, Sloan start
ell for that place to procure q suitable
boat, directing his men to follow. They,
however, gave ou! in the race, and our
hero, for he deserves the title, found him.
self lone. Fortunately there were three
boys fishing from light skiff, short
distance from shore, and to them he ap.
pcaled. Like himself, they were Injured
to the perils Of the river, and they at
once acceded TO bis wish. To seize a
spare oar, and with the willing aid OF
the boys. to urge the li,tle boat far out
upon the rapid stream, was the work OF
but moment. By this time the object
Of their anxiety had ceased his cries and
was lying supine, upon the log that sus'
lained him in his perious voyage, com.
pletely submerged, cxccp, his head and
part Of his back. They reached him,
dragged him, stiff and motionless, into
the boat, and laid her head for shore.
But now came the knowledge, that in
the desperation Of the chase, they had
venlured far beyond prudence, and were
rapidly drifting down the river. On eth.
er side the forest seemed scudding by
them at fearful rate, and their little
cock ls shell craft was tossing in the
rapid, while the coming waves threw
their spray far over their heads. 1t was
dreadful moment when they first a.
woke to the certainty Of their. imminent
danger, and SO others thought it, for,
gathered upon the shore were all tie
people Of Chippewa, watching with an
intense anxiety, the result OF the hazard.
Gus undertaking. But, not for moment
did Sloan lose his self.possession. Calm.
ly addressing the boys, and pointing
out the danger, he conured them to
''ao7e and pull" and nobly did the lit
tie fellows respond. a.s .
1t was fearful work. Now the boat
shooting over the seas, would gain a
few lengths, and now wave, more pot.
ent than its predecessors, would send
them back, covering them with water.
Occ asionally as they onxiously watched
the shores, the trees would seem to stand
still, and then the awful race would a.
gain commence. There was thought oi
throwing over the incumbering body ol
the drowned man, but there was no time
for pause. Steadily and firmly they bent
TO their oars, the lads calmly laboring
il upon pond, and gradually the
boat gaining upon the current, found
smoother water, until, at last, itshot Out
from the perilous yicinage., and found
shelter in the Chippewa Creek. The as.
sembled crowd sent up a shout Of Joy as
they approached the dock, and the three
boys sank exhausted in the bottom ol
the bos.,, After receiving the congratu'
| lations OF the crowd, and listening, al
he says, 10 some loud talking upon the
part Of the parents Of the boys, Sloan
requested the villagers to give the rescu.
edebody decent burial q and, getting on
board his own boat, resumed his voyage
to the American side. g., -,
Some time after Sloan visited Chip.
pewa, aud OIL enquiry concerning the
fHale OF his adventures was surprised to
learn that the dead man had been resus-
citated; and was then 10 Niagara Jail on
d charge Of rape. The trial ceme on,
but the accusers not appearing, the man
whoss name was Daniel McGafrey, .wat
released sSsgs i,4Glts sslri s49Ft
1t appeared that Nc Carey had bean
living on Navy Island, in company with