Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-08-02
The Lnckless Cant. Webb.


The Lnckless Capt. Webb
NIAGARA FALLS. July 25.-Up to
10 o'clock tonight nothing more had
been learned as to the fate of Capt.
Webb. In reply To inquiries before
setting out on his fatal swim, he said
he first thought of swimming the
rapids last year, when Capt. Paul
Boynton was talking of doing it, how
ever, it was only lately he resolved
upon attempting it. He came TO the
falls ON the first of July, examined
the course, and then made
up his mind. When the Iumor
which had been circulated that
he would 90 over the falls in rub
Der ball, was referred to. He gave a
merry laugh and said the man who
made that statement should be put
into a rubber ball himself and sent
over the falls. He said, in going
down he would be carried under
water by the current, and if he could
hold his breath until he came to the
surface again, he would be all right
He could easily, he said, hold his
breath under water for minute and
a half. He would have to fight to
keep atop if he could not do so
he said it would be all up with him
When asked if he had well consider
ed the matter he said it was a curious
thing, and he did not bother much
about it. He was going to chance it.
1t was all luck, he SAID. He made
propositions to the railroad compa-
MES to have excursions, but they
would not come to terms. They
thought he was going to commit sui
eide and they would not encourage it.
When asked if there was anything
particular he wished to have said in his
behalf he replied that the only
thing was that he was not go
ing to make anything out Of
it, but he wanted to show
people he could do it. Speaking of
his weight, he said he weighed one
hundred and ninety pounds, and
was too fat; Gs proper weight was
one hundred and seventy-tiye pounds.
but extra weight didn't hamper him
as his work was not like racing; extra
flesh helped him because it enabled
him to resist the cold.
NIAGARA FALLS July rs. There
are some who believe that Capt,
Webb succeeded in his foolish under
toking, and that he is cOncealing HIM
self to fan a flame of excitement,
when he Will make his appearance
ON fresh trip. A great many wagers
have been made on the American
side that he will be seen alive inside
of five days and bets have been made
two to one that such will be the case.
but the general belief among the older
residents is that Capt Webbis no more.
1t is also the general belief that life
was extinct before he cleared the rap
ids, and that when it had reached the
pool the lifeless body was swallowed
up by the immense eddy, and that it
is altogether likely it will never be re
covered. Frederick Kyle. the bust
ness manager of the captain and 9th
ers We're on the banks of the whiri
pool below the cliffs when Webb
made the fatal plunge After despair
ing of finding any trace at this point
a search was instituted further down
the river from the outlet of the whirl-
pool TO Queenstown on the Canada side
Mr.. Kyle returned and announced that
the captain was certainly lost Nester-
day morning Mr. Kyle returned from
Buffalo, where he spent the night,
and continued the search. He secured
the banks, telescopes were brought in
to requisition, and every available
effort made to show some clew as TO
the finding of the body. The whirl
pool was diligently watched Every
speck and piece of timber in the great
mHlstrom caused a shudder to pass
over the seekers, but no clew was
found.
Kyle has taken the effects of Cap
tain Webb including the watch, and
started for New York. intending to
go from there to Boston. In all
probability the body will come To
the surface in eight or nine days.
though many persons have been
drowned i'll the same waters and their
bodies have never been seen. There
is no doubt but that should the body
of the captain be found il will be prop
erly cared for, though there seems to
be no one here to take the matter i'm
charge Kyle claims that he did not
induce the captain to venture on this
swim but that the captain was bound
to go to vindicate his honor, as it had
been freely published that he would
go through the rapids He was un-
swerving IN his determination.