The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-04-05
The Great Tennessee Freshet-A Noble
Young HAN.

The JOnesboro (Ienn. Ftdg, OF the I'D
ult., relates the following:
The late disastrous food in Fast Tenn
essee, by which so much property was de-
stroyed, and some places many lives lost
when all the facts are known, will disclose
some noble deeds of heroic daring in persons
saving the lives and property Of others.
One instance of this kind has just been re-
lated to Us. The village Of Kngsport, sit
uated on the banks of the HolstOn, some
! twenty-tour miles below this place, suffered
greatly in the loss Of property, and many
would have found watery graves if it had
not been for the generous and heroic risk Of
life of Lieut. James n. Cox, late of the
18th Tennessee Cavalry, Federal Army,
and an old comrade of the senior editor of
this paper. 1t would make this notice too
long to relate all OF his risks and adventures
but one demands special attention.
There were two families Of movers in Q
fat boat in the river below Mrs Ann
| Phipps, numbering fourteen persoLs-men,
women and children. The boat was fasten-
ed to tree, but the river had surrounded
! it, and the sweeping torrent of drift wood
| threatened evey moment the destruction of
! the frail craft and its inmates. Some fifty
or sixty persons were standing on the banks
of the river, seemingly powerless, when
| Lieut.. Cox was sent for, who instantly
seized canoe, aud at the imminent peril
of his own life, dashed through the rush
ing turbulent waters to the boat, amid sur
gng bodies of drift-wood, and still swell
ing torrent, and with bis strong skillfu arm
conveyed the entire fourteen souls safely to
| land, among their friends, whose joyous ex
carnations rent the air On great was
| the heartfelt gratitude of those women and.
, children and strong men when they ioUnG
themselves safe, and tears flowed freely,
and loud shout Of praise to Lieut.. Cox
arose again and again, from the ah,:ious
crowd Of spectators. ..-e1''..:
One Of the men who were rescued. lad a
trunk in the boat in which was large
liberal reward if he would return to the
spirit he replied, Il will risk life for life,
J but not for money and in few moments
the boat was carried away with the over
whelming food, and with all its contents
soon destroyed.
One fact connected with this sad scene
must not be omitted. The canoe used by
Lt Cox belonged to profcssed minister Of
the gospel, who actually refused its use |.
But the brave young soldier had seen too
much service in the Union army to be thus
foiled in his noble purpose Of saving the
lives of these stangers, and immediately
took possession of it, disregarding the
wishes of the owner, and accomplished his
generous work-for which he deserves all
praise, The citizens OF Kingsport will long
| treasure UP in their memories the mobile
deeds and daring of 1t Cox, while the
heartless owner of the canoe will not soon
be forgotten. lie should remove where
this infamous deed will never be heard of.
We learn of family who resided on the
banks Of the Wautauga, who were drowned.
Finding their house was about to DE
washed away, carried their three small chill
dren to the shore, and put them in place
Of safety, and with their older children re-
| turned to the house for the purpose of try
ing to save Il portion Of their furniture,
when the house was swept away by the
! food and dashed tc pieces against the rocks
all who were in it perishing. These lit
tie orphans have We learn, been properly
cared for