Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-02-12

r. nj
81 That Pm to BE- married tool ISL
WHAT BELLE Dill.
\ She was the bravest woman / ever
saw. and a little bit OF a body, too,
but If it nadn t ha' been for her pluck
sand courage God knows what would
have become Of us. 58 ss
The speaker, one Of the crew OF the
Inflated scho cner John T. Ferris, was
seated on the deck OF the steamship
City Of Durham, which was blowing
her way through a heavy sea towards
Boston Light the morning Of Thurs
day last. The little knot Of seanen
who gathered about the wrecked mar,
iner asked eagerly for the story, and
at their request the following account
was given. It is here related for pub:
LEGATION by all officer of the Durham,
who was present at the rescue. He
said: .g Is ssxys d
"After Captain Lund observed the
signals OF distress that were displayed
Thursday morning by schooner
which afterwards turned out to bethe
Ferris, we were very much perplexed,
because some hours before two ves-
sells, which think were American
craft, passed us sailing in the exact
direction of the distressed vessel. We.
were eight miles away at the time
when the schooner was discovered. \
The moment the Captain saw the flag
he gave orders to turn the steamer in.
the direction or the sinking ship and
to fire up. ~
"This was about nine O'Clock in the
morning, and the storm was but slow
~ going down, It was blowing q gale
and the sea was very rough. AS we
continued on our course all eyes on.
board the Durham We're intently fixed
on the schooner, which, as we came
nearer, could be seen to roll heavily in
the sea. It could be readily seen that
she was full Of water, and the only
question was, how long can she be
kept afloat2 The captain, with char
acteristic promptness, had ordered the
boats to be made ready for lowering,
and he only waited for favorable
opportunity to give the word.
'The Durham presently came within
speaking distance, and then the cap
tain shouted, shall send you boats?'
ono was the answer sent over
the water in clear, feminine voice;
we have q boat and wilcome to YOU
: GAIT this point | came on deck, and
the sight which met my eyes shall al
ways remember. The low dark hull
OF the Ferris was almost under water.
The waves wei e breaking forcibly over
her bows, and what remained of q once
full deck cargo was being gradually
forced overheard. In the stern, with
his hands upon his head, as if to steady
his wasted and weary brain, stood the
captain, knee-deep in water, while off
to leeward OF the sinking craft was
floating the ships boat, in which we
saw thaiorm of q man and woman
while inThe bottom was lying the figure
OF boy. os 81.
1T was some minutes before the;
man on board made up his mind to
leave the deck. Finally, however, a
call from the boat brought him to his
senses, and casting around 10 sorrow
full glance, he went over the side and
made for the frail shell that was float
Ing with great buoyancy on the tops
of the waves. The old Durham, true
to her helm, came up into the wind,
and as we passed by q rope was
thrown. Ten minutes later the last.
of the party was on board, the steam
Eer's head was turned, and as we
glanced over the stern Of the boat We
saw.the Ferris, her sails Tapping wildly
in the wind, give a long roll, and then.
70 down like lead into the deep waters.
/ ii As the party came over The side
the master grasped the hand Of Cap
/ tain Llnd, and exclaimed, with tears.
in his eyes: God bless you captain,
you have saved my; wife, A slight!
figure, clad in dark, wet garments,
next came to our sight. I was never,
/ to tell the truth, more surprised inmY.
| life. The figure was that Of a.
girl eighteen years Of age. Her light,
thick hair was gracefully blowing
about her lace, which, though so red
and careWorn, gave evidence Of much
beauty She was under mide lie height.
and quite small. / AS she stepped upon
the deck she gave us d look I shall
never forget. So weak was she that
she could scarcely stand. S kfe at-3
tempted to walk but could not, and
/ would have fallen if the second mate
had not caught her in his arms and
Carried her in q partly unconscious
condition to the cabin below. The
i boy and seaman were then pulled up,
! and while the officers were providing
Tor the comforts az the castaways
the story OF their mist rtunes Was
graphically told.
Ths master, Captain Belts, 5aid::l
sIf 1T had not been for Belle, God knows
what would have become ofns. She is
4 the best wife q man ever had, and
though have now lost everything I
have m the world save her, ought To-
rejoice that we have escaped together.
We left Csalais Sunday morning, and
had good run until tho storm struck
esday nisht the gale Nas
/ terrific. There WAS only three hands
ON board beside my wife, one Of these
was a boy, and could not he counted
on to- do men u sxork The II torn had
i gallsed ssla IA ne up much, and We we're
/ vel nigh AZ hans ted Then the report
came uI from below that Ne had sprnng
aenk The nigh Vas lark and drea s.,
and chs sgssys were high. d
itilin hull from which We scouId
sasist III TIN Il remained O.