River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1875-06-04

influence In sustaining the army and en-
listing troops for the suppression of the
rebellion.
Two Fishermen Caught in the Penn
syIvania Timber Fires.
Samuel l.. Downs and w. G. Reeves Of
Rochester had been trout fishing for three
or four days on the streams in vicinity of
Shohola, Pa. On Tuesday they went
out to fish Taylor's creek, a branch of
the ShohOla, about five miles from the
station. The stream traversesa wild and
billy section, and for some days the
woods have been On fire for miles along
its course. The men had fshed up to
two miles above its mouth, when the fire
approached 50 near the stream on both
sides that they were compelled to stop,
and started to retrace their steps. They
had proceeded but short distance on
their return when they were alarmed to
find that the fire had closed in to the
stream in that direction also. High and
precipitous hills rise on either side of the
steam az the point where they we're, and
even if the fire had not covered them,
escape in that direction would have been
very difficult. To add 10 the peril of
the situation, the fires both above and
below them were rapidly approaching one
another and reducing the space in which
the fishermen found themselves confined.
The underbrush also in that locality
grows down to the waters edge, and dead
logs and dry branches lay across the
stream. To these the flames communi-
Gated readily, and in comparatively
Sho, time the fishermen were hemmed in
on all sides by fire.
AT the spot where they were forced to
halt is a deep pool, at the foot of a fall
some ten feet high. This pool is about
twenty feet wide and very deep. Downs.
seeing that there was no hope of escape
in any other way, suggested to his com
panion that they must plunge into the
pool and remain there, if possible, until
the fire had so far exhausted it.
self along the stream as to permit
Of their wadiDg down the creek until
they got below the burning woods. A
new difficulty here presented itself
Reeves could not swim, and the water in
the centre of the pool, where they must
necessarily take their position, was over
their heads. The heat was now becom-
ing intense, and the smoke almost suffo-
eating. There was but one thing to be
done. Downs showed piece of pine log
into the stream, and, supporting Reeves
with one arm, swan to the centre of the
pool. By the aid Of the bit of log he was
enabled to keep both his companion and
himself ahoat until they reached the foot
of the fall, where projecting rock offered
the former firm hold for his hand
and by which he kept his
head above the water. They allowed as
much of the falling water to cover them
as they could with safety, and in that try
ing situation awaited the passing fury of
the flames. Fortunately, no branches or
dead trees projected into the stream
where the fishermen sought refuge, and
| they had nothing to fear from direct con-
tact with the fire. But the heat from the
flames, which were at no time more than
ten feet away on either side, was almost
unbearable. The men would endure it as
long as possible, and then duck their
heads beneath the water and keep them
| there until they were forced to
again emerge for air. Added to the
| sufferings of Reeves was the cir
substance of his being obliged to hang
suspended by his hands from the rock,
carccely any water touching them. He
J could not find foot.hold, and eased his
hands from the heat by alternately dip
| ping first one and then the other under
the water. For a quarter of an hour
| the agony was continued, when Reeves.
eXclaiming that he would rather drown
than suffer longer, released his hold and
| disappeared under the water When he
reappeared he was some feet below, and
had touched bottom. Downs shouted to
him to have courage, as the worst was
over. Reeves, without word, waded on
down the stream, and reaching shallow
water, ran as fast as he could between
the much reduced flames that lined both
sides Of the brook, and emerged, with
hair and flesh singed and blistered, below
the burning woods.
Downs retained his position in the
stream until the fires from above and be.
low had met, and the flames gradually
climed up the mountains, and then made
/ his way down stream through the smoke
/ and still red-hot embers along the shore,
and found his companion about quarter
of mile below. The latter was consid.
erably burned about the face, while his
hands were fearfuly blistered, in Tending
burning brush and branches from his
face as he left the pool. Both men were
so much exhausted that il was long
time before they could proceed. They
walked TO farm house about half mile
from the creek, where their wants were
attended 10.
Next day they took train No. on the
Erie for home. They left their rods and
baskets at the scene Of their adventure,
and they were in all likelihood consumed
by the fire.
Mccartney, the notorious forger who
has three times escaped FROM United States
officers IN Texas, is supposed to have
bought his freedom IN each instance b.
bribing the officer in charge. He is rich
and It is known his wife each time appear.
cd on the scene just before his escape.
IL 4. d 1 - l.. q.