Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1877-08-29

ton OF the structure OF the State, he
enjoyed the unhesitating confidence
aud admiration of his associates.
The shadow of a deep loss has
thrice been thrown across the history
of the survey ; a Lapham, an Eaton,
a Strong; honored names, yet alas
the sacrifice. T. G.. C.
From the National Democrat.
His object was to make Il ge)l)gicl
examination of all the branches of the
Chippewa River. Of tie largest of
which is the Flambeau River. laid
down on some maps as the Manedow-
ish. The Wisconsin Central Railroad
crosses this river on Section q, Town
40, Range l, West Cess than a mile
from the 4th Principal Meridian.
He left Stevens Point en- Thursday,
the 10th, accompanied by William p.
Gundry Of Mineral Point, and John
Hawn of Stevens Point, a guide whom
he had hired, who was familiarly
known as sailor Jack" and who was
an experienced woodman, ana an
expert in II navigation. The party
went by railroad to the crossing OF the
Flambeau River, where they arrived
about six o'clock, p. NJ. The next day
-Friday-waS spent in procuring
boats and other preparations for as
sending the river. Mr.. Strong obtained
a light skiff, made of riyen white
cedar, which he thought well adapted
to the purposes for which he wished
to use it. He also obtained a birch
bark canoe, in which was to be trans-
ported the supplies and camp equjpage
for the party of three.
They commenced the ascent OF the
Flambeau on Saturday morning and
continued it for nine or ten miles,
without any remarkable incident, until
nearly three O'clock, p. NJ, when they
came to some rapids, supposed to be
in Sec. rs, 7. Al, r. 1, f. The rapids
were about $50 feet from the foot to
the head. The bed of the river was
filled with numerous rocks, over and
about which the water rushed rapidly.
sailor Jack" took the lead in the bark
canoe and its freight, followed by Mr..
Strong and young Gundry i'll the cedar
skiff. Jack had reached the head of
the rapids, or nearly 50, as the Others
were entering upon the ascent. Strong
was standing in the bow Of the Skiif
using a long light pole for propelling
it, while Gundry was sitting in the
stern using the oars for the same pUr
pose. Near the foot of the rapids was
a rock. past which they pushed The
Skiif far enough. SO that the current
struck its bow and turned it around
the rock, in such Il manner that the
whole force Of the current striking the
boat broadsides, tipped it over. AS it
was about going over Strong jumped
Jrom it into the water, and stood upon
a rock in the bed OF the river. over
which the water was about three and a
half feet deepand came uptOhiS waist.
Immediately below the rock where he
was standing and holding on 20 the
skiif the water was twelve feet deep,
into which Gundry went. as the skitf
upset. At that instant he followed to
Strong: y can't SWIM who replied:
Hold to the boat" Gundrv held on
at first, but in attempting to get 4 bet
ter hold, or in some way. lost his hold
of the boat, and vas carried into the
water, into which he was sinking.
simultaneously, the skiff went down
stream, and Strong left his position Of
comparative safety, and was immedi-
ately in the deep water, and sunk to
the bottom Of it, to rise JIG more.
Why he left the place where he was
standing and let the boat go, is matter
Of conjecture. One theory is that he
Slipped and could stand there no
longer, but this is not as probable, rs
is the theory of tlc men who were en-
gagged in searching for his body, which
is that rs coma hesaW that his friend
and protegee, Gundry had lost his hold
of the boat, and was sinking, he threw
himself into the deep water, in the
vain aus it proved effort to save lbs
companion from drowning. lie Wasa
good sWimmcr,N We. e}GcoaidcDr, and
self reliant, and Ny... not have hecn
lileiT ,ooppreaeua ,u.rG ..ar.ohim-
self IN tae effort 70 sa.e his nIeuj. |
and II Anh had, the apgrel n ION woa,d
not have deferred hiIp.