The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1880-09-03

Mr.. A. Downing, Typographical assistant
from the headquarters department OF the Col
umbis, while encamped opposite to Camp
Chelan on the east bank of the Columbia
river on July Gath, about dusk, had the mis-
fortune to get adrift in small boat, without
osrs or rudder, and was carried by the swift
ness of the current beyond help. He drifted al
night from about 80 p m. of Saturday to
daybreak of Sunday, making about seventy
miles, when the boat was drawn with great
velocity into the Rock Island rapids and
Immediately capsized. Downing seized the
gunwales of the boat as it was drawn
into the water, and when it came up,
bottom upwards, managed to lay on her
keel, his hand still grssping the gunwales
In this position he Grifted, or rather was
tossed by the turbulent rapids, for nearly
two miles. Finding himself getting be-
numbed with the cold water, which every
moment submerged him on account of the
boat being so frequently drawn under by
boiling eddies, he decided-being a good
swimmer--to try to reach the shore, which
was not many yards away. He left the boat,
but was at once drawn under by the eddies
and suction Of tho boat. 1t was only by the
most extraordinary efforts that he succeeded
In reaching the rocky shore. The
bluffs of rock at that point are not
less than 1900 feet high, and rise
perpendicular from the water In an ex-
hausted condition he was found by indians,
who had seen him passing through the rapids,
but were unable to aid him, having no canoe.
Their wickiup WAS in canyon, close by the
rapids, and there they silently lead Downing.
Food was prepared and his clothes dried in
the sun, and with rest and nourshment he
became himself again. After recompensing
the Indians for their kindness, he struck out
on foot, intending to follow the Columbia
river down to Priests Rapids, where he hoped
to find some white men. He walked from
a. m, to p. IN, July Goth, and slept
without covering. On the 9th, he con-
tinued his course south. For the most part
his way lay along the almost inaccessible
rocky trails on the river bluffs, which kept
him almost continually climbing. For two
days he had no food, with the exception of
few berries he found just rs relief was at
hand, in the shape of an Indian, whom
Downing hailed from the west bank of the
Columbia by means of u red handkerchief.
In consideration of a watch and a small sum
of money, the Indian canoed him down the
river five miles, to Mr.. George Gurber, who
happened to be camping alone at that
point, and being the only man on
that side of the river, from
Camp Chelan to Priests Rapids. Mr.. Cur
Der had horse and cayuse pony, and took
Mr.. Downing to White Bluffs, As miles.
From White Bluffs to Ainsworth, 60 miles,
Downing was taken by Indian canoe; his OBJ
jective point being Ritzville, where he is now
hourly anticipating the arrival Of his party,
now en- route from Camp Chelan, via the
middle pass of the Grand Coulee, over to
this vicinity, locating wagon road to the N.
+. X. r. so that government supplies can
be shipped by rail, and stored at some
depot and hauled by wagons to
Chelsn, instead of using the road from
White Bluffs TO Chelan, which is sandy,
rocky and very hard on wagons and horses.
The party is under the personal guidance of
the chief engineer of the department Of the
Columbia, Lieutenant l.. w. Symons. This
officer is at present in doubt as 10 the where
abouts or fate of his assistant, who was so
suddenly missed on July Oath. A team re-
Gently from Chelan passed through here, and
from the owner Downing learned that re-
ward had been offered for the recovery of
his body under the supposition that he had
been drowned. Downing not being able to
talk Chinook nor the Indian English, he was
unable 70 ascertain the names or tribes of
those who came to his aid nevertheless he
is deeply sensible of the services rendered
him. To Mr.. Gurber and others he owes
much for timely aid, and which he will ever
remember.