The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1883-08-02
DEATH FOR MS DARING.
Capt. Webb, tho Famous Swimmer,
Ingulfed In Niagara.
Sucked Into the Raging whirlpool While
Attempting to Swim tho Rapids.
buffalo IN. VI Tclc9ram.l

In 1881 the little steamer Maid OF the Mist
with three persons on hoard, ran tho rapids
OF tho Niagara passed through the whirlpool
itself, and glided into the quiet water be-
yond or the three on board two survived
the trip, the only persons who ever went
through this fearful channel alivG
On july - Capt Webb, without 9TH
or means OF safety than nature
had provided him. attempted TO swim
through the war Of waters but failed His
body has not yet been found For three
quarters Of milo lelow the Suspension
Bridge, runs tho whirlpool. the
widest. most tumuituous and dangerous
portion Of the river. The tremendous pow
or OF the current cannot be reaiscd Webb
could not attempt to swim tit was amply
q question of endurance, whether he could
live In the tumultuous waseR Hc was
rushed onward with resistless force, and
perished In his mad attempt No effort was
made to advertise the undertaking beyond
sending circulars to the new sp aperA Not
dozen people In the Falls knew that tho cf-
fort was to be made There was no Adv0r-
tising dodge about II. The great swimmer
was conndent that he cou d make the trip
In safety. He carefully looked over tho
ground, but he had failed to ai1e the i'm
mensity OF the undertaking, and 10 delibeE-
ately coplmt ted suicide.
Capt Webb arrived in Buffalo last night,
was unheralded, and tho fact Of his being
here vas known to but few. Seen by q o
porter last night, he said he would surrey
make the attempt Nothing but desire
tor notoriety moved him. Last Juno ho
proposed to swim tho rapids, and tried 70
object I hey refused, lut the papers kept
talking about II, so he determined 70 make
the tlial No one accompanied him eAv0
his English manager, Mr.. hyle Caps Webb
did not leave for the falls until noon. Ar.
onee to the Clifton House. MSsss ssyer
reporters and others were in waiting. He
chatted pleasant y and expressed great con-
fdence in his powers The hour hxodwas< 4
o'clock, and about ! the crowd badc him
good BY and fastened 70 secure good post
items for viewing the foolhardy 9 pertinent
At no point could = view ofthc who.o lensth
OF the rapids be had
Ata few minutes before o'clock Webb an
peared ut the foot oil the bank on tho Cana
q an side, where q skin was In wait ng with
the veteran uide, Jack Conway. at the oarA
He entered the beat and was pulled into the
stream. the Cal tain was entirely nude sav0
for small breech clout CONWAY pulled %
FAR down ~ the Maid OF the Mist landing,
but did not dare to proceed further. AL
right" said the Captain, ~this will do ~
Il don't expect ever to see you again.
70 yes you will. was the pleasant reply.
sYou don't know me- am an Englis Imam
After few more words Capt Webb stood
up i'll the bow OF the boat and dived head
frst into the water. Then began the great
struggle for life II was Just 4;lu whom tho
Captain entered the water. 4 few vigorous
strokes and he was fairly In the rapids,
going breast on, his form nero speck. -
seen from the great bluf above. he went
I. g. A. a.--A