Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-09-19
Remiui.eeneo Of Capt. Jack Wilson,

"Reminiscences Of Capt. Jack Wilson.
Itwas in the year ls4l, that the writer Of
this notice first became acquainted with him
who was then under the employment of
Messrs. Mendenhal & Converse, as Captain
of the Algonquin, one of the only two YES
sells then in the trade that year on Lake Su-
perior.
Early in November, which is late for that
part of the country, we left La POinte to
come down to the Saut St. Marie, for the pur-
pose of wintering the vessel. When we had
sailed abreast of Copper HarbOr (afterwards,)
and Isle Royal, gale from the east arose,
accompanied with rain and sleet. Here we
tackled about-and no harbor nearer than
thirty miles, eighty, and two hundred miles
and then in the worst place off Point Kswe-
nav, where the waves ran highest. Here
we were, the wind ahead, sleet rain and
hail mingled in the dismal air. The winds
moaned and whistled in the rigging of our
vessel.
Ab 10 y ClOCA IL TIC LAk4b hNA bAAAAAB 4" -
in lie Z ie deck, spars, ropes, and in the cab
in. We heayed our deck load overheard
Our vessel headed away from land-as We
supposed-and at two o'clock the wind
changed to the NorthWard, and with it
snow storm, by which we poor landsmen-
five in number-could not even see the other
end of our vessel-and snow was now on the
ice and deck We had the day before lost
sight of land, and knew not how soon we
might be driven on shore and on rocks, for
all along on each side is bold and rugged
No star light no lighthouse, and at dawn
no sight Of land
awe must make up another tack, said
Captain Wilson.
Watts, to the jib."
"Aye, aye, sir"
"Rsady2 2"
"Yes, Captain"
"Hard lee Let 90 and haul, shouted our
Captain. o, God not a rag movedl Not a
rope stirred in vain did the rudder's handle
turn, but the vessel plunged forward.
HBoYs. our vessel is az ieehsraL ossassssi;.- =
ropes and let down the mainsail."
The brave boy went up and gained the
| cross piece of the mainmast, and with one
hand he began to cut away the throat-ropes,
but blown almost out of breath, be came
down without accomplishing his hard task,
and fell about ten feet, but was caught in the
sail, his hands and body cold and stiff.
awaits, you try" The willing Watts
soon gained the top; but Oh what fearful
sight His body dangling in the air, and
holding on with one hand; and every second
Iexpected to see him away fifty steps from
the vessel, into the water. But his knife
could not accomplish the object, and he, too
came slowly down; his hand was stiff and
hlOodless.
"See, boys, there is our graveyard The
Captain pointed to the bold rocks that were
covered with snow and ice, about half mile
away from US, directly on our course. Oh,
God save US Jack ran down into the cab
in; in a moment up he came having tied
sash that had around his waist, and toma-
hawk slipped between the sash and his BODY.
81 will go and loose that tdeath-ancho
said he. could see in Jacks eyes that in
demitable energy which never forsook him
in the hour of peril and which always char
acterized the man. He ran up to the cross
piece all in a moment-and held my breath
and he commenced with one hand TO cut
away the frozen rigging. The throat-ropes
were severed, and slowly bent the mainsail;
left the Captain still on the cross-piece. The
schooner as readily Obeyed the hand, and
wheeled of from the shOrel 0, what sob
bing shout we tried to utterl In five min
utes more we should have been dashed against
the rocks outside of Grand Island. Jack
came down the jib ropes; he passed US not a
word; he went down int the cabin and threw
himself down on the ice floor perfectly over
come. His face was cold, his eyes glisteued
as if dead, and not breath could we OBJ
servel
80, God Jack is dyingl" said my COM
panions.
We rubbed him and started our fire COW
cred him up in our blankets and coats; and
a long, distressing groan came at last-that
grOan, how itsent a thrill of Joy through nv
whole frame like an electric shock. And no
sooner had he come to consciousness than
with eager eyes he looked around US and
family whispered:
"BOgS are yOu all sqfsF' dyes Jack
Wilson, we are all SAFE" was our onfV tear
ful reply. threw myself by his side and |
wept like a child; and never have I met |
Jack Wilson without looking in his eyes with |
a fearful gratitude Now he is no more His
great brave heart has stranded in the waves
he had SO long battled against. No more his
genial soul will lead ours captive. There's are
few such men in this selfish world. He was
a good swimmer; he could have saved him
self but no doubt died In trying to save
others.
viii be one Of five hundred who will give
i've dollars towards raising a monument in
1ne of ths cemeteries of Chicago, the money
o be sent to Gurden S. Hubbard, Esq, of
Chicago, whom the writer viii apprise to-day
~ letter, as he knows the gentleman referred
o.
Come, let the brotherhood of the Masonic
paternity gather the evergreens-em -emblems of
the grave Of a brother.
Come let US mark some marble piece,
For the noblest beeds he has done;
Where his great heart may rest in peace,
And the pure laurels he hath won.