Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1880-08-28
SWIMMING FOR LIFE.
A Party Of Long Branch Cot
tagers Struggling with the

A Party Of Long Branch Cot
tagers Struggling with the
Waves.
New York Herald.
One Of the peculiar attractions at Ions
Branch is number OF cottages skirtinl
the ocean front to the north OF the hotel
These cottages are now occupied by 9
number OF well-known New Workers.
Cottage No. 6 is rented to Mr.. Fletcher
U. Harper, OF Harper Brothers, publish.
ers. The cottagers do not as a rule
battle at the hotel beach, but prefer the
privacy of the water in front of their
own dwellings. On Sunday, about !
o'clock in the afternoon, the following
ladies and gentlemen went in for bath
from Mr.. Harper's cottage: Mrs.
Fletcher Harper, Mrs. Spencer Peck, Of
Williamsport, Pa; Mr.. Orr G. Frost,
MIR. George Belcher, and Mr.. VIM.
Harper, brother OF Mr.. Fletcher
Harper. The party had been in the
water but short time when most ex-
traordinary circumstance occurred. plac-
ing the lives OF all in extreme peril.
There was no one else in the water but
the party mentioned, but several ladies
and gentlemen were ON the beach watch.
ing them as they tumbled about in the
breakers. They were about 300 feet
out from the beach and all had hold OF
hands. The water was warm and the
sand seemingly smooth and firm. The
tide was flood, but not very strong. AS
each wave came in the party would
Jump with it and come down on the
bottom after it had rolled away. The
water seemed to be only about four feet
and half deep between waves. Pre-.
sently a much larger wave than usual
came fosming in and the ladies and gem
tlemen rose to meet it. When it had
passed, however, and they came down
again, there was no foothold. The bot
tom had gone. After floundering about
for moment the gentle
men were satisfied that, extraordinary
as it seemed, the sand had actually gone
from under them and they were over
their heads. Neither OF the ladies could
swim, but happily all OF the gentlemen
could. There was, OF course, momen.
tary confusion incidental to such sud-
den surprise and the entire party went
under number OF times, to the great
delight OF those on the beach, who i'm
ayined they were getting a good duck.
ing and with not the slightest idea that
their friends in the water were strug-
Cling for life. Then the gentlemen,
knowing that only determined effort
would save any OF the party, started TO
swim for the shore. Mr.. Belcher and
Mr.. Harper took Mrs. Harper between
them and started, and Mr.. Frost sup
ported Mrs. Peck. An eyewitness
states that the ladies displayed the great
est presence of mind, and the gentlemen
the utmost pluck and energy.
STRUGGLE FOR LIFE.
"Do not clasp me-" said Mr.. Frost to
Mrs Peck. "Just rest your hands on
my shoulders and We will get in safe
ly."
"All right" coolly replied Mrs.
Peck.
The other gentlemen gave the same
instructions 10 Mrs. Harper, who as
cooly promised to comply. Mrs. Har-
per, however, was exceedingly farmland
her hands slipping she went under the
water and in moment was at the mercy
of huge wave that came dashing in.
William Harper, however, stuck brave
" to her, Mr.. Belcher being washed off,
and going under with her. Never re-
linquishing his hold for moment, he
soon brought her to the surface again
and the swim for life and shore was re.
sumed Again her hands slipped, and
again she went under, taking with her
her plucky young brother in-law, who,
although half strangled with water,
would not let go. After succession OF
similar accidents, the party reached the
shore in sorry plight. Hardly one OF
them could stand, and Mrs. Harper was
entirely unconscious. OF course ready
hands were on the spot, and the party
were assisted to the cottage. Mrs. Peck
was hardly able to walk, even with as
sistance, and Mrs. Harper was still I'M
conscious at the cottage. DIR. Summer,
who had been Immediately sent for,
met them and applied restoratives,
which after struggle OF twenty min
utes, succeeded in rousing Mrs. Har-