The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1870-04-14
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Il fAYNEsVILLl1E.
situation-Rcscuc-
E PrairlC ON Fire.

PAYSEsv1LLs, SrEARNs Co, MIMI,
| - April 9th, 1870.
EDITOR JoURNAL.-The citizens Of gu
quiet little village were thrown into tn
widest excitement yesterday evening b.
the intelligence that there was man II
the river. The north branch of Cro'
River, is, during the summer very insig
ni6can stream, but at this time is yer,
deep, wide and rapid. Yesterday evening
just at sunset, Edward II. Bates, John Os
trander and Romeo futile, were coming
home from the other si6e of tho river
and when about half way over, their boa
capsized by striking against the roots Of
fallen tree. which projected some distance
out of the water. Mr.. Ostrander and Mr.
futile falling out on the side next thu
bank, and being able to swim, soon sue
ceeded in getting ashore, but Mr.. Bates
falling on the other side and being unable
to swim was left to the mercies Of the rag.
ing current. On coming up he grasped
the boat, and maintained his hold till they
drifted ten or twelve rods down the stream
where after being again submerged, he
lost hold Of the boat, but fortunately found
tree some four feet under water. upon
which he drew himself by the aid Of some
willows. Mr.. Christian having witnessed
the disaster from the shore, gave the alarm
and in few moments the bank was
crowded with anxious friends, willing to
rend every assistance in their power. Mr..
Fl. L. Sheldon first tried to swim out to
him with rope, but after having gone
about half way he lost his hold of the rope
and was compelled to return. Mr.. Bates
team was then hitched up and driven with
all speed to Mr.. Wright's for his boat,
which upon arrival" was launched. AL
though the water was pouring in through
the open seams, Mr.. Sheldon again tried
to reach him, but on getting near to him
the boat was SO full of water as to be I'm.
but running it upon the will
lows he managed to keep it from sinking,
and finally succeeded in getting Mr.. Bates
INTO the boat with him. Finding that it
would be impossible to come back with
hat boat, the team was again dispatched
o Mr.. Harris for his boat. In the mean
ime Mr.. Bates directed the men on shore
o build fire which was done. The team
vas put TO its best speed and in an incred.
bly, short space Of time the boat was on
land and Mr.. Harris with 1t. It was imme. |
lately launched, and manned by Messrs.
Harris and Cahoon, both experienced wa
ermen, and in few minutes the two men |
Tere rescued from their perilous situations.
DR.. Bates was almost frozen, having been
q the ice-cold water for two hours. He |
vas carried to the nearest house where af-
er getting on dry clothes, and by the side
+ q warm stove, he was soon quite |
comfortable, and in q short time was
rought home. He is around this morn
ng, and remarked rather facetiously that
he was an immersionist, he was not in
avor Of $50 long dip in such water.''
Last night the prairie was on fire in ev-
ry direction. The long trains of fire
urning gravely in the darkness, and the
olling clouds Of smoke is one of the grand
ST. and most beautiful sights one may see
q life time. N. N. s.