The New York herald., 1879-02-05
PAUL BOYTON.
THE CELEBRATED SWIMMER AT THE PLACE OF
HIS NATIv1TY-.HIs VOYAGE ALONG THE ALLIE
GIIENY RIxER

THE CELEBRATED SWIMMER AT THE PLACE OF
HIS NATIv1TY--HIs VOYAGE ALONG THE ALE
GHENY RIVER.
PITTsBURa. Pa. Feb. g. 1879.
According to o special invitation from the Mayor
and citizens of Pittsburg Captain Paul Boyton ar
rived here early yesterday morning. with the HERALD
correspondent, showing signs of his exertons in
the exhibition before President Hayes. AS it is eight
years since Boyton has visited the smoky little city
that gave him birth the Captain not quite pre-
pared for the "Far West style that has crept into
Pittsburg in late years. An incident which
brought the general character of Pttsburgers TO his
mind very forcibly. Just after leaving the railway
depot we met one of Boyton's old friends, who adj
vanced with easy. familiar air and said, Halo
Captaini how you? There has been a very bad
report about you spread around the city for the past
few days"
"Indced.". replied Boyton. in astonishment. "what
is the substance Of it?'
"They say you're temperance man. and made q
temperance speech New York the other day. II
that ever gets around it will kill you sure with oil
honest pien."
During the day Captain Boyton visited the spot,
under the St. Clair Bridge the Allegheny. where
twenty years ago. he made his first rescue OF human
life, and thus began which has made his
name renowned in every corner of the earth. Here
it also that the Captain first learned to strike
out in the water in the face OF the eagleeyed
policemen of the city. He is still determined to
make trip down the Allegheny River be
fore the public reception is given. despite
the Iact tDdt OF the
ice in the stream can be distinctly heard from the
window Of our hoteL
The programme OF the voyage has been changed, so
that the distance and peril will be almost tripled.
Instead of starving from Kittanning, Captain
Boyton originally intended, he will mako the
whole length Of the Allegheny River, from Oil City
to Pittsburg, distance of hundred and
fifty miles, through the ice. The difficulties
presented numerous The of the river
is extremely tortuOus, and the abrupt bendings
and twistings create side currents and whirlpools,
which may bar his progress Another obstacle Is the
existence of two rapdstho Falling Springs Rapids.
thirty miles below Oil City, and. forty miles fur
ther down, the Rifles Falls. The former are full of
sharp, jagged rocks, to be dashed against any Of
which III the iightninglike current would mean
tain death. while the former composed of compl-
Gated currents and undercurrents that hurl boats
against the huge cliffs which rise either side OF
the river for 900 yards. But the greatest danger
be apprchended is the formation of ice gorges in
front Of the voyager who would be ground powder
by the cakes in the rear driven beneath the foe
and smothered
The Captain expects to start for Oil City tomorrow
night, and will take the waser Wednesday
morning. 1t IL calculated that the voyage will
take from three TO four consecutive days. All
along the line OF the river tile towns and villages
are Ia state OF excitement over the announcement
Of the trip, and extensive preparations are made to
give the great swimmer a hearty greeting lie
passes. At Duquesne Point. Pittsburg. the Captain
will land, after shooting under the many bridges that
span the water AT kittanning the HElIaLD corre-
spondent will join him in the water and make avoy
age for few miles. landing at Pittsburg.