Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-07-29
SKINNER BUTLER'S FEAT.
Crossing a.. Eos, River with Hands aud
Feet TIED.
New York Times.

New York Times.
Paul and julius, the two young men
whose names adorn the windows Of a
sporting clubhouse on Sixth avenue,
are always Of one mind in matters Gull
nary, but they occasionally differ con-
corning less important affairs, and
either is generally ready to back his
opinion TO the extent Of his purse.
Paul is an expert swimmer and great
admirer Of Dennis F. Butler, the
swimming teacher at the Battery Bath,
who is matched to swim a race next
month from Pier No. | to Coney Island
with Gus Sundstrom, Of the New York
Athletic Club, who swan Rom Ma
comb's-Dam bridge to the Battery
through Hell Gate channel on Sunday.
julius told Paul that that feat was more
than Butler could do. Paul told julius
that Butler could do it with his hands
and feet tied. Julius told Paul that
Butler couldn't swim with his hands
and feet tied in a bath-tub. Paul told
JuliuS-to dismiss the subject-that he
(Julius) could not swim in a horse
trough with his hands and feet free, and
that he had better refrain from the dis
cussion Of subjects with which he was
totally unfamiliar.
When Paul saw Butler he told him
how he had silenced julius. and was
very much surprised when the swimmer
told him he might bet as much as be
pleaseC-that Butler could swim with
his hands and feet tied, and that he
could swim across the East river thus
handicapped. Paul went right up town
and bet Julius 900, on the strength of
Buffers word, that his friend could
swim with hands and feet tied across
the river, and Julius took the bet and
thought it was the "soitest thing" he
had had in long time. Butler agreed
to perform the feat last evening, and
decided to start from the pier at the
foot Of Dover street in order that pc
destrians on the bridge should have the
pleasure of witnessing the effort. The
time decided upon was between and
I o'clock, when the tide would be run
ming in and the day traffic on the river
had stopped.
The news that Butler was to make
the attempt was disseminated from the
Battery up both rivers, and at 6
O'Clock crowd had formed at the New
York tower Of the bridge on the foot
path several hundred men and BOYS
were gathered on the piers in the vicin-
ity Of Dover street; South street was
thronged in the same neighborhood
along the waterfront, and the rigging
OF all the vessels in the harbor was
black with sailors and 'longshoremen.
Paul and Julius came down together at
g O'Clock, and met Mike Donovan. But
lcr's trainer. lie told them Butler had
gone to get some hot soup at a restau-
ran, before starting, aud as the crowd
was so great on the piers and in the
street he thought they had better get
him ready-to 20 in the restaurant, tie
his hands and feet there, and then carry
him out to the end Of the pier and
throw him off.
'.fez won't do anything av the
KIND said voice in their ears.
They turned in aStonishment and
found police sergeant and two patrol
men standing at THEM backs.
What's the matter?" asked Paul.
There rs matter enough" respond
ed the Sergeant. We'll have nobody
committin' suicide by himself of this
pier. Do yez think we'll stand by an
see yez tie mans hands an feet an
then throw him into the river with the
tide runnin' ten miles an hourp Go on
wid yez Is it his life ye'ye got in !