The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-06-11
Boynton gives an account Of
his experience.
The nature of the suit in
which he floats.
Various incidents CONNECT
ed with his travels.


yesterday afternoon at 6 o'clock He was
escorted from the lower part of the rapids
to Davenport by a fleet of small boats con
| tanning inquisitive occupants, anxious to
| see the rubber suit in which Boynton has
made all his aquatic trips. On arriving at
by large crowd of people who followed
him down to the Davenport boat house,
where he emerged from the water, took of
/ his suit and was conveyed to the Kimball
House. On reaching that hotel Captain
Boynton was shown a room and immedi-
ately went to sleep. After taking
refreshing nap, he held small recep-
| ton at the hotel parlors, to which
number of people were admitted. Later,
ladies were accorded the privilege of int err
viewing the voyager, and it is unnecessary
to state that they made the best of their
| opportunity.
HIS TRIPS.
Among other callers on the aquatic
guest was a reporter of the ARGUS. A des-
ultory conversation took place, during
which Mr. Boynton stated that he left ST
had consequently been twelve days coming
down the river distance of 440 miles. He
was detained at Lake Pepin for two days,
and averaged about forty five miles per day
of ten hours each. He stated that he es-
timated the distance which he had travelled
since he first pnt on the suit at $4,000
miles. This included his trips across Dub
| lin Bay. the English Coannel, down the
Rhine and other rivers in Europe, besides
his voyage down the Ohio and lower Miss
issippi His present float was from st. Paul
to Cairo, which would complete the Mississ
ippi river. He then proposed to take the
Missouri from Bismark down and then
thought he would feel satisfied He has
been accompanied in his travels for several
years by a German reporter, Rudolph
Cronan The latter is taking the trip in
the interest of his paper in Leipsig. A
servant completes the party.
HIS OBJECT.
The reporter mildly insinuated that the
public would like to hear the specific OBJ
ject of these various floats.
Capt. Boynton admitted the query to be
leading question, but replied, My OBJ
ject in making these trips is to thoroughly
advertise the rubber suit as life preser-
yer, and alternately to have the Federal
Government introduce the suits in the life
saving service. The suit is my own pat
ent, and of course | hope to be remuner-
ated in time, if not, my heirs will receive
such remuneration after | am dead. The
suit has already been adopted in several
foreign countries, and soon will be in the
United States
can best be understood when it is stated
that it is q rubber garment following the
contour of the human form, and is not I'M
like the Esquimoux dress. The face of
the person alone appears unprotected. 1t is
composed of two thicknesses of rubber,
and has seven different air compartments,
two in each leg, two in the breast and one
directly under his head Each of these
air compartments are separate and distinct
and float the heaviest person without any
trouble Tubes are connected with each
air chamber, and the occupant can initiate
them at pleasure An accident to one com
partment viii not cause the other chamber
to fill with water and sink.
With it on, the person has the free use
of both arms and legs and can remain in
the water for great length OF time.
do you suffer from cold?' inquired the |
after examining the apparatus.
Yes, nm obliged to take 100 strokes
per minute with my paddle to keep me
warm, and even then / suffer severe |
" with the cold At present
am troubled more with the sun
and it's reflection On the water My face
is terribly burned, and my eyes suffer from
that cause. have tried glasses, and even
carry an umbrella, but the reflected light
on the water still is a great source of an
noyance."
'eBABY NINE"
The captain stated that he carried in his
little life boat BABY Mine" everything that
he could possibly need. His inventory in
Guided rockets, miniature stove with
which to cook coffee, provisions and every
thing else that he could possible require
ANECDOTES
Captain Boynton related many amusing
incidents of his trips and stated that he
became at times very lonely as he foated
lown the river during the quiet hours of
The night. He considered the scenery of
he upper river, which he had just passed.
superior to anything he had ever seen
n this country or Europe. On one occa-
sion a granger foated out to him while
1oating down the river, and said:
"Be you filled with cork or wind?"
After receiving the usual information the
granger returned perfectly satisfied.
On the lower river, the negroes have a
habit of fishing from the river banks. They
extend themselves on the ground, place
he fishing pole between their great and
second toes, and sometimes go to sleep {
waiting for bite.
Boynton came along one day and found
the colored folks enjoying quiet siesta.
He pulled the line, and the awakened ne
gro thought he had a big catfish. The
negro pulled, and finally looked down into
the river. The sight of Boynton scared
him, and with one yell the fisherman and
his companions made hasty retreat for
the woods.
Captain Boynton departed for Burling
ton this afternoon, and proposes in the
near future TO ascend the river, when he
viii lecture at Rock Island