The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-07-04
SIULHATTAN ABROAD.
The Rescue of Little "Birdie" by Party OF
Southern Chivalry.


Morehead City IN c. Letter in Phadeph Press
A thrilling episode in tins village yesterday
caused more excitement, CONSERVATION and
weeping among the people than were ever
known here before. The three ear-oid daugh-
ter OF Mrs. Robert Elliott was brought to the
seaside month ago, to recover from severe
attack of Texas fever. She became pet and
favorite at the Alabama Hotel. Yesterday
morning strolling Italian made his appear
ance in front of the hotel, with a large clus-
ter of those red, bladder-like toy balloons
Major Hawkins, of Alabama, to amuse the
| child Birdie, who he, at that time, had in his
arms, tied the cord around her waist,
and then, as is SO often done TO
amuse children, gave her a toss oil five or six
feet in the air and held out his hands for her
return. "Great God! she is gone" cried the
Major, as he saw her rapidly going up up,
up until she had passed the house-tops.
Floating in the clouds with outstretched
hands, the little angel could be heard dis
tinctly calling, Mamma! mamma! mammal
until her voice became drowned by the whist
ling of the winds.
''All to your boatsl" shouted old Captain
Dixon and never a son of a man turn back
until that child is brought to its mammy!r
II, l, l." responded six of as brave and
daring boatmen as ever reefed sail, and all
with boats seaworthy for any waters.
Minutes appeared as hours and the babe
was flying southeast like a kite, and would
be out over the great Atlantic ocean in less
than no time Away went twenty or more
well-manned boats amidst the shouts of men
and screams of women and children. These
boats we're Joined by like number from
Beaufort, all of which kept as near under
the little angel in the clouds as possible. Mr..
Charles J. Voorhees, of the Southern Ex-
press Company, with party of gentlemen,
were out taking sail. Mr. VOORHEES, is one
of the most expert riflemen in the country,
and, as Providence had ordained it, he had
on board his Smith Wesson rifle. He at
once took in the situation, remdrking: Six
miles out at sea and going at the rate of ten
every minute going higher higher, higher
| can cut those balloons, and will do ii or
die. Steady the boat, throw her leeward of
the squadron, Squire Wade!''
Let us all jine in prayer before he shoots"
said Steve Turner, the colored minister and
mail carrier. ...
II don't put much confidence in ligion
when danger is about" said Mr. Dixon.
By this time the boat had gotten in posi-
ton to give her the most protection from the
stiff breeze then blowing.
'Nows your time " shouted Piver: don't
"Bang" went the rtlle--but no change in
position. Again, again and asain-the fifth
shot one balloon disappeared amidst the
shouts OF the boatmen. At the eighth shot
it became evident that the balloons could
not longer carry the weight of the little
floating angel, as she was gradually descend
ing, not in a straight line but in southeast
direction, toward Harker's Island-but
whether dead or alive none could tell.
Down, down, down she comes-as gentle as
if handled by human hands--and to fall in
cradle of sand.
To land, to land, and all put to shore as
fast as the sails would propel the boats. Be-
fore they reached land most of them jumped
overheard and waded ashore. Then began
the race for the babe, and she had come down
on a sand bank only few hundred yards
distant. With fear and.trembling all ran up
Ben; Piver in front; Gentlemen" says
he, she's alive and kicking" There sat
little Birdie, playing with a lot of shells, and
as she was picked up she chung on to a hand
full, saying, Desc sells for mamma"
With the prize all returned to the boats.
| There sat Mr.. Voorhees, with death-like
pallor on his countenance, and when told
that he had saved the babe unhurt, his ten
der heart gave way and he wept like child.
"All aboard and back to Moreheadl' shouts
Captain Dixon. The boats were rapidly
gotten under way, and each wanted to be the
first to convey the glad tidings, but they all
ran near together, with hats and handker-
chiefs flying, amidst the cheers and screams
of several hundred people
The excitement OF landing surpasses de-
scription. At the wharf, after everything
seemed safe then little Birdie came the near
est of losing her life. Colonel Whitford a
man of generous impulses, seized the little
angel in his arms and at a lightning speed
started for its mother, who was then lying
in an unconscious state, under the skllful
care of Drs. Haywood, Arendall and Kelly,
of Louisiana. But before the kind hearted
Colonel had gone far. amidst the dense crowd
and confusion, he ran off the wharf into water
over eight feet deep. Several jumped over
boSrd and aided him in landing his prize
The child was none the worse for the duck
ing.
By O'clock Mrs. Elliott became con-
scious. The guests of the house assembled in
the ballroom at P. NJ. to return thanks to
Mr.. VOORHEES, and the noble boatmen, and
express coincidence and sympathy 10. Mrs
Elliott. Major Hawkins came forward and
made few remarks, but was too excited to
speak but he said had that babe been lost
my mind was made up-T would have
rested tonight with her in the sea" Thus
ended day of the most intense excitement
that the Oldest inhabitant here ever dreamed
or thought Of
Watterson Abroad.
Brooklyn Eagle.
Mr.. Henry Watterson's visit to New York
consisted of one round of festivities. The