Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-08-21
THE WHIRLPOOL CRANKs.
One Makes q Successful Trip and An
other II Drowned.

A Buffalo On. " special says Ora
ham made bis second successful trip
through the whirlpool rapids this after
noon. The barrel was the same as that
used in the first trip. A slight change
was made in the hammock, the inside
of which was raised up so as to throw
the head out. The head Of the barrel
was taken out, and in its place can
vas was tackled around the edge, leaving
4 hole sufficiently large to let his head
through, and fastened closely around
the neck. This left bis head and face
plainly visible to the crowd-fully 200
strong-standing on the banks and
bridge.
The barrel was taken down the bank
early in the afternoon and fastened to
the shore under the trees, near the old
Maid.oi.the-Mist landing. At 3:l5
o'clock Graham started leisurely down
the bank and stripped, preparatory to
the trip. At $3.50 o'clock the barrel
was towed out into the centre Of the
stream. Five minutes later the rope
was cut off and the barrel started down,
passing under the bridge little nearer
the Canadian shore than on the first
trip. AS he passed the Manning eleva-
tor his head could be plainly seen, and
as the barrel whirled round all had q
chance to see his face, which could be
easily recognized. The barrel was
several times out Of sight and entered
the whirlpool near the Canada shore at
4 o'clock. The course was such that the
barrel went into the centre Of the
whirlpool, where it circlsd around,
gradually nearing the Canada shore for
ten minutes. G. ID. Carlton, a citizen
Of the Falls, who had gone to the point
to view the trip, took off part Of his
clothing preparatory to entering the
water, but the barrel drifted in so
close that he could catch it. Graham
was in a very bad place, drifting among
the rocks and breakers near the outlet,
and had he not been caught would have
stood a good chance Of being killed.
So close was he to the shore that he
called to some one to come out and get
him. When taken out Of the barrel il
was found that both elbows and one
knee were more or less bruised by
striking against the cask.
Graham says that the weight Of the
waves had no effect on him, but thai
the spray nearly strsngled him, and
q, 900 would not tempt him to repeat
the trip. 1t is doubtful il he would
have stood the trip through the Devils
Hole rapids.
j. Scott, q noted fisherman, Of Lew
iston, who was anxious to 60 down on
the dummy Maid Of the Mist, and WHIT
also figured as an important witness II
the Webb inquest, was drowned in th'
whirlpool about noon. lie had beer
hanging around all day, intending t
earn slO offered for taking Graham ou
of the whirlpool, and, with a life-pre
server, had been giving exhibitions il
swimming and diving. About noon h
| jumped into the water off Thompson
Point, at the outlet Of the whirlpool
and was drowned. The body at ono
rose to the surface and was caught a
Lewiston.
Professor A. L. Donaldson, the Bal
timore swimmer, who has been exhibit
ing his skill in this city for the pas
three days, says that he intends tryinl
| to 20 through the whirlpool rapids OF
a raft. Mr.. Donaldson says: Z" vii
make the attempt some time next week
and think l can do it safely. Tn
raft will be made OF the slaves of beer
kegs. 1t is impossible to break them
except with an axe. 1t will have lsrg
rings fastened on the sides, and vii
have iron handles on both top and bot
tom, so that in case ! am thrown off
can easily grasp the rings"