Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-05-01
PAUL BOYTON.
Arrival of the Lone vOyager at New
Orleans---DetaiIs of the Last Run
and the Landing Condition
Of the Swimmer.

New York Herald.l
New ORLEANS, April q. 1879
After eighty days of herculean strup-
gle Captain Paul Boyton has finished
his voyage Of 2342 miles and landed
in this city at thirteen minutes past
six o'clock this afternoon.
THE LAST RUN.
The last run was his longest time in
the water IN the trip. He started
from Baton Rouge at eight o'clock
yesterday morning, a large crowd wit
Messing his departure. The day was
rough and the river full of whirlpools.
His depleted condition would not al
low him to make much speed, and af-
ter a few hours out he had a most ter
rlble experience. Owing to the
roughness of the day the volunteer
guardboats were afraid to venture out.
and as the captain YEARLY piled his
paddle w%aterspouts began to form ON
the river surface and surge by at a
tremendous speed. The horror of the
situation cannot be described, Boyton
exerted himself manfully to save him
self from being drawn from the water
by the suck, and had two or three
narrow escapes. Finally, his little
provision boat Baby Mine was caught
in a whirlpool and drawn under water.
1t was only after a fight that the ia
nous craft was rescued, minus half
her contents. As night drew on a
heavy fog settled on the Mississippi
and sometimes the government lights
could not be discerned and the lonely
swimmer had no means of guiding
himself except by keeping the current.
Several times he ran into the high
mud banks by mistake.
OVERDOSE OF oUININE.
During early morning he had a chill,
and fearful that he was to be pros
trated with fever he drew the box of
quinine pills from the boat, and in the
darkness and his confused state swal-
lowed them all, about eighty grains.
This had a bad effect, as he could
hardly keep his eyes open. As day
broke the navigator could see the
magnificent country he was running
through.
CoLoRs PRESENTED,
About 4 o'clock pm. to-day he was
met by the steamer Annie p. Silver.
above Carrolton, seven miles up the
river. A flag presentation took place.
the life-saving colors being presented
by Miss May Gillian. Seven whistles
were given by all the steamers on the
river, one for each of the States he
passed in the voyage. Finally, at pre-
cisely Glib o'clock, the rocket was
fired which announced the finish of
one of the most remarkable of all hui
man feats of endurance.
THE LANDING.
Boyton landed at the foot of Canal
street amid the ringing of bells and
blowing of whistles, and so great was
the crowd that it took the whole
available force Of river police to effect
a landing. Boyton was placed in n
carriage and driven to the City Hotel.
where a consultation of doctors was
held. After an examination the re-
suit was given as follows: Tempera-
ture, SO; respiration, IS; pulse, 70.
The captain is a mere skeleton of the
strong built man who started from
Oil City full of life and vigor. He
has lost about twenty pounds since the
start. Letters of congratulation pour
in to him from all parts of the world.
Boyton has fallen into a sound sleep.
which the doctors say will last twenty
hours.