The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-01-21

Slgnal LOT Iue stehm pump W stdrt III
, water. AS soon as hole was cut unde
me l would enter it feet foremost. Th
water would drill hole about the size o
a barrel. At this time descended to ,
plate of boiler iron, and in turning TIT
stream of water in trent of me to worl
nv way of the boiler plate l be
came fastened by the sand clos
ing around me from behind, which
it did almost instantly. My arms
were buried as far as the wrists, my
hands being the only part of me not..buried
as solid as if in mould and metal run
around me. The nozzle had jumped oul
Of my hands and was swinging at the
end of the rope which was tied to me. The
undertow carried it over my head, the
stream of water pessing over my head
and pointing in shore. l was in an easy
position, but being packed so solid could
not make an effort to clear myself or
make signal or receive one. expecting
every moment the escape of air would be
stopped, thus bursting the air-hose, which
would be the end of all. l remained in
that position over two hours lit seemed
ages) as / learned on coming up, for
when at work under water a person has
no idea of time whatever, and perhaps l
would be there now had not huge roll
or come crushing iu, Strengthening the
water hose, kedge anchor, and all in
shore beyond me, and pointing the
stream of water directly against me,
thus washing nae out. After that took
the two md half-inch water hose and
tied it to my back, the nozzle discharg.
ing near the calf of the leg. always
called that my pet, and never again
went without it. 1t kept the water COM
ing up behind me in such manner that
the sand could not settle, thus giving
me the large stream to work with.
HOW THE TREASURE WAS RECOVERED.
In making examinations with the feet,
if anything was found containing square
corners, a long steel hook which 1 car
red tied to my dress, was forced down
beside it. If it should prove to be box
of gold, | would come 10 the surface of
the sand and signal for a set of long
steel spring hooks, which l had invented
for the purpose, to be sent to me. Then
the surf boat would be sent in as near
me as possible, and the hooks would be
thrown toward me until | felt
them strike my helmet. Then l
would descend again, with the
hooks in one hand and the other
manipulating the hose to cut my way
down to the box. After finding it and
spring cling the hooks down on it, l would
| - 81 o prfh fn hook
line. Then by drawing the nozzle up
gradually, letting the sand settle under
| the box as fast as the boat lifted, it was
brought to within two or three feet of
the surface of the sand without great
trouble. But just there would be the tug
of war. The boat could not lift it out of
the hole because it lay too far off. |
would be about knee deep in the sand
| Just where the breakers would break
over me, One would hurl me down head
to shore, and perhaps jerk the water hose
out of my hands. Then the sand would
close around my legs instantly more firm
| ly than vice. AT last, after one or two
hours work of that kind, the box would
be landed and signal sent to stop the
steam pump. After making an examin-
alton to see that ali was right, | would
signal for the surf boat to haul up, and
the box would disappear in the direction
of the boat with u Godspeed and hearty
good-bY from me.
FIGHTING FOR THE GOLD.
Sometimes Mexican divers would come
down and hold on to my dress, two or
three at time, and try to take the bars
from me. would simply hold on until
they would have to leave to get air. But
when one let go another was there to
take his place. finally became enraged
and punched one of them with the noz-
lie, making a round, circular wound on
his ribs. lie gave me violent kick as
he lett me, and l was soon hauled up.
| After this all work had to stop, rs the
Mexicans threatened to stab any diver
that went under water belonging to
our expedition. We renamed idle
few days but getting unhappy
over such state of affairs,
l proposed working BY night. johnson
would not consent. l, however, per-
suaded portion of the crew to volunteer
trial of one night; so we went to work
thus in the dark, confident of success, and
recovered two boxes the first dive.
came I'D somewhat exhausted and went
on board the small vessel, took a lunch.
and rested couple of hours. Then /
made another dive and recovered one
more box, which proved night work a
great success, and ever atterwara any
thing was possible to the crew that l
would undertake. We worked eight or
ten nights, or until the Mexicans left
and then resumed work by day.
One right when came up the men
told me huge devil fish had come along
and was settling down upon me, when an
oar was thrown, striking him on the
back, causing him to leave. l felt thank
,ul to that oar, for nothing could have
saved me from being sliced up had he
once got his arms AROUND me. l recov-
cred Capt. Hudsons dumb bells, and al
terward presented them to him, ana also
some mutilated Oregon State bonds, some
photographs. and an elegant ivory card
case, which have now in my possession.
| | oltea came out OF the sand with the
feet of the dress all worn out By paving
and digging 10 the Goals and sand with
nv toes. My feet became so sore and
badly cut as 10 almost cripple me. My
nails become worn SO thin by the SAD
as to bleed from beng touched, and my
hand: and feet were constantly swollen
to twice their natural size. The sand en-
tered through my clothes from the holes
in the feet. Both knees were chafed
raw. Ny shoulders, from which So much
weight was suspended, were always as
raw as a piece OF beef, and blcd freely
when l emerged from the w'ter. L oc-
casionally met other divers IN the sand,
and once washed one of them out. The
poor fellow was almost gone when they
hauled him up. Doubtless there are many
places where money can be recovered by
the use of water if it was more generally
understood.
~