The daily intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Territory [i.e. Wash.]) 1876-1881, 1879-11-04

that they Gao 60 10 Seattle VIA Renton,
On the high land, when the White river
bottoms are flooded or too wet n winter
10 haul loaded tssms.
In summer the settlers can ford the
rivers, but in winter they are shu. IN
from the outside world. There are some
very fine stock aad other farms there.
and these people complain that Pierce
cv4nty is ready to build its half Of this
necessary bridge, but King county will
not assist. Whether they have taken
the requisite steps on their part l can
not say; but the need fer it is 50 very
great ,ha, feel justified in relating the
story Of tie drowning of those three
young men last spring at johnson 5
crossing of White river as illustrating
tie formidable barrier that for weeks
prevents all intercourse with the outside
world. The removal Of these barriers
i. ali ,ha, is required to populate this
beautiful aud fertile region.
! crossed this terrible river last spring
jast alter tue drowning OF these young
mcn, AID know what the risks were.
Tins fall there vas no difficulty in ford
ing the river
White river drains the northern sur
face of Mount Rainier. Its waters.
when high. assume milky tiuge from
the volcanic ashes in solution. Its
course is 50 rapid and its bottom is so
thickly strewn with big boulders that
at all times its surface is white with
foam as it tumbles over the rocks in its
wild career, so swiftly descending to the
low and level plains Of the White river
bottoms. twenty miles below When
the river is high. the waters roll and
break over hidden boulders, often form
ing waves four aud five feet high in the
center Of the river. where it requires
the greatest skill to keep o boat from
being swamped. and if single false
stroke be made, then the boat is swept
by the resistless current twenty rods
below before the mistake can be recti-
fed. II big boulder or a snag is in
the channel. the time is past tor recti-
flying mistakes, as those who make them
learn to their sorrow.
If one is we'll acquainted with par
tlcuiar crossing, is cool, self-possessed
AMI used to quick water. there is very
little danger; but single inexperienced
person may in an instant drown q whole
bcat!oad of men who by themselves
could navigate such place in safety
for years.
Ga Sunday. Feb 23d, johnson and
son crossed the river when it was nearly
at its highest. On Monday. the oath,
the regular mail day. Geo Porter, the
mail carrier from Osceola postOfhce to
Wllks son. came to cross with the mail
for Wilkcson. The river being a. its
highest, j, T. iii tiled 10 p isuade him
not to cross then. but to wait until the
river should fall. On Tuesday morn
ing, Feb 25tb. Porter returned, bringing
with him John Newell and Frank Lach.
ley. who wished to 60 to their work in
the WIlkeson mines. All three were
very anxious to cross The river was
somewhat lower than on the day before
and about as high as on Sunday when
Johnson crossed. Johnson tried to per.
suade them not TO 60. but they were so
eager to cross that they went down the
hill to the ferry, johnson following.
They had taken the boat from the woods
to the landing before he got there. See
ing this. johnson intended himself to
take them acr' s.. and he helped them
to tow the bout up along the shore to
the proper point from which to shoot
across the river.
Mr. Porter was well acquainted with
the crossing and an experienced hand
in quick water. He had had the boat
frequently. and had crossed the river at
that place many times before. As he
wished to recross in the evening, on his
return from Wilkeson with the mail, Mr.
johnson offered them the use Of tho boat
if Porter would return it safely in the
evening. They accepted the offer. and
all three stepped in. Porter took the
bow oars, Newell those in the stern. and
Lachley tue paddle to steer with. After
they were all seated. Newell and Lach-
ley called their two dogs into tho beat
johnson objected to this. Newell said
he would keep them out Of the way and
they wouldn't hurt much. johnson said
they would hurt, and he was afraid.
Then they pushed off from the shore
with the dogs in the boat. They had
only fairly got out into the river when
johnson noticed that Newell could not
handle the oars properly, nor Lachley
the paddle, and that Porter was the
only cre who knew how 10 handle the
bnat.
When about two-;hirds across Porter
lost his upstream oar, aud unfortu.
nate!y he then continued to row with
his down stream car until he tur ed the
boat completely around the wr,r Z way.
Lackle7 stopped padding while PICK
ing nj Porter's oar. BY the time Por-
ter got 80 Oar eg.:n AID resumed row.
liz with both "a's. the boat was the
>e,'"id tim headed the wrong way and
carr by the fierce current against q
l-":"u- tree. previously unnoticed.
hat had fallen from the opposite bank
be hight before and was partially sub
mer.ed.
Tho boa, was then suddenly filed
AMI uverw L.lEej with the wild waters
as they :umultuo"siy dashed against the
tree. After it had passed this tree the
boat was seen to emerge to the surface
full Of water. with the three men in it,
sitting upright. apparently motionless
from the sudden shock aud the ice cold
water so rudely dashed over them. They
were only seen for ao instant, then dis
appeared forever
A few small pieces Of the boat were
found several days afterward two mile.
below; also piece of the eunstock
smashed up in the boat. No vestige Of
the men except Ne%elrs coat, torn t.
pieces and filled with sandy was found