The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1883-08-15
CAPT. wEBB'S LAST SWIM

Captain Webb and his business
agent, Frederick Kyle of Boston, left
this city shortly before twelve o'clock
yesterday and took the noon train on
the New York Central to the Falls.
House omnibus to that hotel, on the
Canada side. Here they passed the
time very quietly, Webb affably,
c%onversing with whoever chose to
address him. His manner was genial
and exceedingly gentlemanly. He
responded freely to all questions that
were asked him, and his pleasant,
hearty manner instantly won the ia
vor aud good will of all who ap-
preached him. During q long ceu-
~versation with a representative of the
Courier. be conversed in a highly in
teliigent manner on a variety of sub
jects. He related some of his expert
ences in the merchant navy of Great
Bxitain, and referred in a modest
manner to some of his aquatic
achievements. He did not appear
particularly concerned about the
hazardous feat he was about to I'M
dertake. and when any doubt was
suggested in regard to his making
the attempt. he assured the doubter
in firm but quiet terms of his ALSO
lutte intention to try to do what he
had said he would. He said more
than once that he did not anticipate
any trouble. but though he spoke
confidently there was no trace of
braggaGocio in his manner. He
chatted pleasantly until the dinner
hour at the hotel. Strange to say,
he declined partaking of the meal,
saying that he preferred o to eat,
adding, in a heartily English way,
II can keep my wind better, you
know. on an empty stomach" He
smoked a cigar, and sat quietly on
the veranda of the Clifton House. So
the time passed until four o'clock.
when Mr.. Kyle took him aside and
said a few words to him. He then
left the piazza, walked a short dis
lance along the road, and turned off
down the steep pathway leading to
McCloy's ferryboat house. which is
several hundred yards above the
new suspension bridge on the Cana
da shore. McCloy and Webb had a
brief conversation. The latter also
spoke to Mrs. McCloy, who asked
him whether he would see his wife
and children again. He replied con-
fidentIv II hope to He spoke
about his baby, seven months old.
his wife and other child, and said
that he expected to meet them in a
few days at Nantasket. McCioy got
the boat, a small scow, painted Lottle
green, in readiness, with two pair of
oars. and Webb stepped steadily and
cheerful!y into it. Tine is up" he
remarked to McCloy, as the latter
rowed the coat carefully out through
the rocks into the stream. Arriving
slowly pulled under the new suspen-
sion bridge, on which only a few per-
o n We're c~ongregated to see the dar-
ing map-ish start out on his VEN
turesome journey. In utter silence,
save the hoarse murmur of the cata-
ract, the scOw made its way. Gradu-
ally the current grew stronger, and
the speed became cOrrespondingly
greater. Very few words passed be-
tween the two men, save that the fer
ryman asked Webb whether he had
swan often before, to which be re-
piled. Many times" "Have you
ever seen the rapids?!" said Nee oy.
Webb answered, II have had a
glimpse of them" In answer to Nc
Ciey's questions be said he had made
$4,000 by swimming the English
Channel. and he had $15, 900 lett.
McCloy states that he advised him
to &, ashore and spend it and
not risk bis life in the rapids.
A few moments later McCloy told the
hardy swimmer that he had brought
him as far as he could with safety to
the boat and himself. Webb prompt
ly removed his hat. handkerchief and
coat, and all his clothing save a pair
of short red cotton trunks around his
loins, and, without a word Of fare
well plunged boldlyinto the water at
a point opposite the Maid of Mist
landing. A moment later he rose
gracefully to the surface, and, SWIM
ming with infinite ease and power,
struck boldly out. 1t was at 4:2O
O'Clock. New York time, when he
dived into the river, which seemed to
be flowing placidly onward, giving
no sign on its suIfoce of the awful
dangers beyond. He cleared the wa
ter with strong and steady strokes,
swimming on his breast with his
head clear from the surface. He kept
in the ca ntre of the stream and the
strong eddies which occasionally
sWirled past him seemed in no way to
impede him or sWerve him from his
course. AS he approached the oil sus-
pension bridge the flow Of the cur
rent increased with remarkable ra-
pidity. There were about two hun
dIed spectators on the bridge who
saw the intrepid swimmer glide to-
wards them, pass swiftly beneath
them, and ere they could reach the
east side of the structure he was fif-
ty yards down the current. He was
carried along as fast as the eye could
follow him. With speechless fear and
wonder he was seen to reach the first
furious pillows of the rapids. On
ward he was swept like a feather in
the sea. High On the crest of a huge
boulder of water his head and shout
ders cleaned for an instant, and then
vas lost in a dark abyss of turmoil
ing waters, Again he appeared, his
arms steadily moving as if balancing
himself for a plunge into another
mighty wave. The tumbling. rushing
swirling element seemed to give forth
an angry, sullen roar, as if sounding
the death knell of the Inflated swim
mer. Once 0 away down the
rapids he vas seer still apparently
Drawing fate and stemming the seeth-
ing waters with marvellous skill and
endurance. Instead of being hurled
hither and thither as might have
been expected, he was carried with
furious rapidity onward almost in a
straight course. For nearly a mile
be was hurried forward by the tu-
multuous rushing waters, and still
he seemed to be riding the awful bill
lows in safety. In four minutes after
he had passed under the old suspen-
sion bridge he had been hurried
through the terrible rapids and ar
rived at the mouth of the great
Reaching what seemed
to be less troubled and dangerous
waters, he raised his head we'll above
the surface, gazed for an instant
toward the American shore, and then
his face to the high bluff on
canada side A second latar ho