Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1866-02-09
WHOLE NO. PIG.
Fearful Situation.
[FrOm the c, dar Falls Iowa) Gazette.

From the Cedar Falls uowa) Gazette.1
On Wednesday morning, about half past
four, load Of passengers, consisting Of
eight or ten gentlemen aud two ladies, at
tempted TO cross the river at Dubuque. TO
take the early eastern train. The sleigh
was drawn by one horse, attached some dis
tance from the vehicle, which also contain
ed the baggage of tho passengers. 1t was
the public conveyance running from Du-
buque TO Dunleith, and the agent accom-
panying II carried lantern, for il was dark.
Ii had proceeded but short distance When
the ice gave away aud the sleigh gave a
iurch to the north, aud the passengers we're
preciptated into the river. Colonel w. II.
Sessions and his -dsughtcr Mary, cf this
city, were among the passengers. Tho
Colonel went over backwards, aud passcn.
gers and trunks came on top of him. The
agent had jumped from the sleigh us he saw
II going down, and, in seeking 10 rescue
those in the water, had broken in and lost
his light 1t was so dark now that nothing
could be distinguished, and tie situation
was terrible. The Colonel was perfectly
eif.posscssed, aud he repeatedly cautioned
those around him not TO be frightened, and
they would all get out. lie knew his
daughter was in the water, but whore she
was he could not tell. lie got hold of a
lady whom he supposed to be her. but soon
discovered IL was not. Ilo held her up,
however, and finally got her out. His
daughter had gone entirely under and came
up without her bonnet. She was finally
helped out by a stranger, who told the
Colonel IL didn't matter what his name was.
A ladder was then put into the water.-
This the Colonel grappled. and he says IL
seemed to him he could hold on TO 1t for.
ever. But his muscles relaxed in spite of
him, aud he went down. lie came up and
ran his arm through the rounds Of tho lad.
der and held on by his forearm. lie went
under the water three times before he got
out Miss Sessions went under twice. and
whom taken out was almost inscnsiblo.-
Her clothes were soon frozen stiff, and she
was unable 10 walk. Her father, who was
the last of all out Of the water, having for.
gotten his own safety In the peril Of others,
was still active, and carried her 10 the ON.
nibus on shore, which drove rapidly to the
Julien House. Here Miss Sessions was
kindly cared Tor by Mrs Russ, the land.
lady, aud was soon quito comfortable
The Colonel took the western train Of that
day for home, TO inform his family and al.
lay any fears that they might have from the
circulation Of false reports. He received
two dispatches from his daughter yesterday.
aud she wns quito well. not even having
.takea- cold. Tho -lolonei- -oalna- a-Ls.~.-
the same clothes he had on when he went
into the river, and We can only account for
the man being alive and we'll In considera.
ton Of the excitement which must have
attended one of his disposition. The
other passengers all got out safely. The
baggage was also saved. The horse and
sleigh did not set into the river. The space
of open water made by the break was about
twenty feet square. 1t was pcrilous sit.
uation aud barrow escape.