Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1854-08-06
Rherarp.
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A Thrilling Incident.

l1e gsl lnrlllng lncldent.
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 retiracy modest and diff
dent in department, but with the strong common
sense, determined energy and abiding honor of a
Jackson. The history of his connection with the
early efforts of Buffalo to make good the position
nature had given her; the almost dishearteDing
struggles in which her infancy was passed; the
combats with lukewarm faith at home and open
opposition from abroad, would interest and in.
struct city readers unaequainted with the facts
were it our purpose here to gEe them. On a fu-
ture occasion we may draw upon the fund of re-
collection possessed by Mr. Sloan of some anee-
dotal sketches of the infancy of 'New Amster-
dam" and Che sport of Buffalo Creek Weonly
intend at present to narrate stirring adventure,
in which our respected friend bore a conspicuous
part
One day, in the month of June, 1922, when re-
turning by the river from Chippewa, and having
arrived abreast the head of Navy Island, he dis
| covered an object drifting rapidly down the cur
rent, which, from the reiterated cries for help, he
was shocked to find was human being. His
boat being one used for conveying salt was un-
mlnageably heavy, and to trust to her for rescu-
ing the poor fellow to insure his own loss as
well perhaps as that of the crew. He turned her,
therefore, toward the shore, and leaping upon the
strand near Chippewa, Sloan started for the place
! to procure suitable boat, directing his men to
! follow. They, however gave out in the race; and
our hero, for he deserves the title, found himself
alone.
Fortunately, there were three boys fishing from
light skiff, a short distance from shore, and TO
them he appealed Like himself, they were in
ured to the perils of the river, and they at once
acceded to his wish. To seize spare oar, and
with the willing aid of the boys, to urge the little
boat far out upon the stream, was the work of but
moment. By this the object of their anxiety had
ceased his cries, and was lying supine upon the
log that sustained him in his perilous voyage, COM
pletely submerged except 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 yentur-
ed far beyond prudence, and were rapidly drifting
down the river. On either side the forest seem
ed scuddng by them at a fearful rate and their
little coekle-shell craft was tossing in the rapids,
while the cOmbing waves threw the spray far over
their heads 1t was a dreadful moment when
they first awoke to the certainty of their imm-
nent danger, and so others thought it, for, gath
cred upon the shore, were all the people of Chip
pewa, watching with intense anxiety the re-
suit of the hazardous undertaking. But not for
moment did Sloan lose his self-possession.-
Calmly addressing the boys, and pointing out the
danger, he conjured them to "hope and pull, and
noby did the little fellows respond
1t was fearful work. Now the boat, shooting
over the seas, would gain few lengths, and now
a wave, more potent than its predecessors, would
send them back, covering them with water. Oc-
casonally, as they anXousy watched the shores
the trees would seem to stand still, and then the
awful race would again commence. There was
thought of throwing over the incumberlng body
of the drowned man. Steadily and firmly they
bent to their oars, the lads calmly laboring as if
upon pond, and gradually the boat gaining upon
the current found smoother water, until, at last,
! it shot out from the perilOus vicnage, and found
! shelter in the Chippewa Creek. The assembled
crowd sent up shout of Joy as they approached
! the dock, and the three boys sank down exha1s-
ted in the bottom of the boat. After receiving
the congratulations of the crowd and listening,
as he says to some loud talking upon the part of
the parents of the boys, Sloan requested the viii
layers to give the rescued body decent burial, and,
! getting on board his own boat, resumed his voy-
age to the American side.
Some time after Sloan visited Chippewa, and
on inquiry concerning the finale of his adventure
was surprised to find that the dead man had been
resuscitated, and was then in Niagara Jail on
charge of rape. The trial came on but the ac-
cusers not appearing, the man, whose name was
Daniel McGarrey, was released.
1t appears that McGarrey had been living in
Navy Island, in company with two other men and
the wife of one of them. After drinking bout,
one day, the two men picked quarrel with Nc
CAREY, which resulted in the latter taking to the
water and the stick of drifting wood to which he
was found clinging. Having Thus, as they sup
posed. been relieved Of their troublesome COM
panion thee men gave themselves no further anX-
ety about him. and great was their astonlshment
on learning that he was alive at Chippewa! They
at once hit upon the expedent of the arrest and
on their complaint, backed by the evidence OF the
woman, poor McGarey was likely to have little
cause for thankfulness at having escaped going
over the Falls only to die by the rope. But his
accuscrs did not appear at the trial; they had gone
to answer to higher tribunal, for the deeds done
in the body
, They had removed from the Island to CmpPe
wa, and to celebrate the event, had resorted agar
to their Jug, and after getting thoroughly drunk
laid down in their boat to sleep off the elects
J Tie craft was imperfectly secured, the curren
Il of the creek carried her ont into the river, ant
hepessly they were hurried towards the aWl"
cataract They awoke when already in the ra
pids, and we're seen to toss their hands and gestc
ulate madly for help But no human arm coul
: aid them there the wild waters engulPhed then
:, and the death they had contriyed for another wa
"a their own portion at last.
10 McGarrey lived for many years, perhaps SIT
" survives Mr.. Sloan saw him during the "PatrlC
re War; near Point Abino, stly bearing arms