The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-12-03
jim WH4LENS DEATH.

'Ib makes me feel kinder sad, said tire
pilot, pointing to the bank as the boat was
ploughing the current near Lake Provi-
dence, seventy five miles above Vicksburg.
"When they buried him, twenty years
ago, the grave was dozen rods from the
water, but the treacherous current has
eaten and eaten at the bank till another
week viii float poor jim away"
The passengers saw the end of a coffin
sticking out of the bank, six or eight in
ches above water. 1t is a lonely spot on
the river, with no sound to break the desc
lation except the beat of paddle wheels as
the steamers hurry along.
cit was Jim Whalen,'' continued the
pilot, as the passengers turned to him for
an explanation. .sIEe had wife and babe
in Orleans, and was a straight man. He
knew every snag and bar in the river, and
he could put his boat through any shute
in the darkest night you ever saw. Jim
didn't brag, and some OF the pilots called
Kim chicken. Chicken He was the big
gest eagle that ever flew up or down this
creek, and that ar coffin proves it ~
He showed the boat out little answered
a signal from an ascending steamer, and
continued:
81 was a cub then-just learning the
business of Jim. You never seed a man
who'd do his level best for a boy as kindly
as jim would. No swearing cussing or
cutting, but as quiet and soft-spol<en as a
born lady. When they laid him away
down there l couldn't have felt worse if
the old man himself had been pitched into
heaven
He asked for chew of tobacco. and
having settled it against his left cheek he
said
"Over there by that gloomy canebrake, at
midnight, nigh on to twenty years ago, the
General Taylor took fire. | was asleep i'm
the texas, jim at the wheel, and hundred
passengers were asleep. How the fire
started no one knew. The whole boat
blazed right up in a minute, scorching and
roasting people afore they had heard the
alarm. Whew but wasn't it awful |
went overheard with nothing on but my
cotton and my heels blistering. and pass
engers and crew tumbled after
The pilot rolled up his sleeve to exhibit
the marks of the flame, and then con-
tinued
''Not all of em. Thirty or forty ran
for ard, wild like, and afraid to jump.
The texas was aiire before | jumped and
as l floated in the river l saw the red
tongues of flames leaping around the pilot
house. jim was thar, and thar he staid.
The water was mp, the current heavy, and
the wind blowing agin us, keeping The fire
back. If jim went overheard it was good
bye to fifty human souls. He saw it, and
that's where glory covered him from head
to foot. He held her dead level up-she
ran till the engines stoppcd-til half the
boat was burned-till the devilish flames
burned every hair off his lead, and roasted
him as the women serve piece of meat
When the engines stopped the boat drifted
down, and at last help came from other
steamers. jim was picked up in the river;
swimming like a duck, but died in FIVE
minutes
There was long pause, and .hen lie
added:
''Jim Whalen's back bone saved all them
folks. He died afore they could thank
him. There wasn't passenger or deck
hand who didn't cry like a child but all
they could do was to bury the poor roasted
body and press the sods down lightly.
Year by year the river has been eating its
way to the grave, and while we shall miss
it, We'll all feel as if the big river had
more right to ;he coffin of brave Jim
Whalen than the shore. It's only his
bones lying there-only his dust which
will float away for though the gate OF
Heaven is narrow, it was opened plenty
wide enough for Jim Whal II To go in with
all steam on TicksbUrg Her I'D.