The New York herald., 1875-11-08
NINETY FEET DOWN.
CITIZEN OF HANNIBAL HURLED OVER THE
GREAT FALLS OF THE MISSOURI.


GREAT FALLS OF TIE MISSOURI.
[From the Helena (iontana independently.
One OF the most remarkable adventures that has oc
Cured in this country full Of tragic incident and hair
breadth escape is related to the readers OF the Ide-
pendent john Mangels and H. zerbost built small
boat in Helena launched II in the Missouri River at
point nearly opposite here. Last Monday, during
rain and wind storm they discovered that their boat
had struck and fastened d huge rock and that they
were IN the midst OF the rapids.
Ignorant OF the river and u the surrounding country
the beating rain bowling wind and NJ well
nigh frightened the travellers ont 81 their wits
They supposed, anu correctly, that they to
tie nrst Great Fan Of the Missouri Unable to loosen
their boat from the rock, Zerbest lett II and
toward the shore in the hope OF landing the boat He
had not gone beyond twenty-five yards when he found
II impossible 70 proceed further. just then Manges
cried to him TO stop and he would join him. Looking
back, hesaw hun coming forward and in iew minutes
alter Manscs disappeared IN the water and was not
again.
Appalled, at the loss OF his friend unable to reach
shore on account Or the deep water and stronger cur
death which must attend ride the falls; filled
with these thoughts he turned to SIT in the boat aud
survey the surroundings, his mind was Wild as he
tempated the danger. The wind was blowing a gale
and chilled him TO the bones. Not living soul
near there any hope Of assistance from the
shore. with starvation staring HIM IN the face should
he determine TO await there the turn OF events he
quickly determined that his only hope rested going
over the iaLls IN his boat
As soon as he came to this conclusion he set about
ooscnng his vessel from the rock. Fastening one end
OF rope the boat he tied tile other end around his
body, aud oar IN hand ne started
PEI.tLoUs JOURNEY.
Reaching the FIRST Ili which Is about twelve feet he
passed il easily; also the second fall, which IS
about twenty Owe feet on he went ana be went
the third TALL which about ninety feet high he
remembers that the boat was hanging over him. With
presence 81 mind, he know that he must avoid the
descending boat and accordingly, reaching the foot
Of the iall, lie
OWED INTO TIE CURRENT,
and while under the water uniastened the rope from
shore, stunned by the iall and greatly bruised lie
looked ana watched in hope of seeing his missing
friend. For three days, without a morsel to eat he
wandered along the bank 81 the river in search 81 him.
on tic Grst day hunger seemed to consume him. on
The second aud third days drinking water appeased his
appetite and weakness grew upon him. He 10th to
give UP The search but gnawlng hunger aching bruises
and
sURRoCNDiyG DRsoLATioN
conquered his anxiety Tor his friend and bade him
himself Slowly lie dragged himself up to the noun
tam summit, which oyer0oks the scene Of his great
peril anu ioosore and sick at heart he followed the
mountain range thr led to the haunts Of life. He ar
rived at Bird Tail station utterly exhausted where he
recruited and then took the COACH arriving here last
hight
John Mangles and II. Zorbest are both single mon
and came to this country from Hannibal Mo- The
former about twenty-five years old, shoemaker
~ Trade and has bcen employed in Henry Schult's
shoe shore In Helena. Ar Zerbest, tho survivor ap-
pears to be about thirty years Of ago aud has been
sailor. II their intention to descend the Mis-
sourl River N their boat to Sioux City or Omaha