Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1878-10-02
THE GREAT STORM.
A Thrilling Incident on Lake c,,.

A Thrilling Incident on Lake r,,.
Saturdays Cleveland Leader
The unprecedented force of tho n.;,
and waves upon the lake during Tb WIN
day night, naturally excited fears Su sar
the safety of the water-works crib o All
Engineer Whitelaw and Contractor M Si,u
Donald were early upon the Lake sho Mo'
where they spent the day in anx;ot,
This was not little increased hv sni
ing, from time to time, pieces 'Du of
wrecked stuff washing ashore amor y,
which their practiced eye detectaSi
pieces OF the ceiling of the crib of fnr.
nlture, and of parts of the keensr's
boat: 1t was supposed that the ksener
would raise his flag as a signal # ba
were in distress. but none anneara ne
Toward night, however, hole WsS
clearly discerned through the crib and
careful inspection discovered the lgbt.
Keepers flag flying from the derTict
used to hoist the crib boat. Two bravo
men, Frank Brewster and Walter Met.
calfe, volunteered to 20 to the rescue ~
MIR. Harry Best, the light-keeper. Thew
got into one of Laws light row.boats
and were taken in tow by the tug Peter
Sm,th, which cast them off near the
crib. The trip was frightful one to
the brave men in the boat. With a
short tow-line, at times it seemed as #
they would be dashed from the crest Of
wave upon the tug, and in another mo.
ment their egg-sheli ola boat would be
In the trough of the sea with the tue
completely hidden from view. When
they were cast off by the tug, they had
no little trouble to get near the crib
without being dashed to pieces. But
they finally got near enough to make
MIR. Best hear their whistle, when he
appeared in sight, overjoyed at the
prospect of release from his perlous
situation. To get him into the boat
was still a problem, but it was finally
accomplished by his hanging from the
door OF the crib, and jumping into the
little craft as she was washed pest tin.
to the trough of the sea by, receding
wave. Barefooted and bare legged,
thoroughly drenched as he had been
for hours, he wore cork jacket in pre-
paration for the moment when it might
be necessary to take the desperate
chances involved in an effort to swim
to the shore. Fortunately Mrs. Best
who usually lives at the crib, was away
and was spared the horror Of the long
night and day of peril.
The little boat was rowed to the shore
by its brave crew, being more than
once nearly swamped on the passage By
the waves. Mr.. Best says that the CRIB
1egan to break on the north side about
l o'clock. On that side . late north
east storm had broken of some TIM
bers, and Mr.. Whitelaw had the dam
age ascertained by diver. and the ma
terial was just ready to repair the dam
age and strengthen the work when the
present storm broke against the CRIB
Huge blocks of stone, weighing from
one to three tons each. had been taken
out and deposited Oh the north side o.
the crib to serve as a breakwater anu
protect it, but these were picked W, as
though they were chips, but were IKE
battering-rams when they were dashed
against the walls of the Glib. All nlghI
long Mr.. Best listened to their leaflul
pounding against the structure; nOi
knowing at what moment he would il.a
himself struggling in the raging Ta.e eiS
for his life. The sea dashed complete!
over the crib, making it Impossible "
light the lantern and carrying away lls
halyards, so that Mr.. Best could nO'
hoist his flag during yesterday. ~.
At o'clock on Friday morning Ins
north wall of the crib gave way, the gee
making clean sweep to the wall ons
piece Of iron tubing Of several .Gn'
weight was washed out into the p pas,
Daylight came at last, and MI. D Ss
fastened his flag 10 the derrick ~
fore mentioned, and waited tor res, as.
The long day of peril and suspense SLIM, "n
nearly ended before the brave 'o The
teers got him into their boat; ,,rv
nerve of Mr.. Best has been tested nl' Il
times, but never as in the s!3 Tr;dsv
Thursday night and the peril OF f fnr Ii
He is deserving of all honor iu' and
bravery, :s are Messrs. Brewster 10
Metcaife, for their gallantry liz solnS;T
his rescue. Such men are scar. 'r.;.e
any community, and too much pa
cannot be awarded them.
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