Daily Republican. [volume] ([Wilmington, Del.]) 1874-1890, 1886-08-20
A roolhardx risher,nan.

NIAGARA FALLS, Aug. 19.-James
Scott, o fisherman Of Lewiston, at
tempted this Afternoon to. swim the
Whirlpeol Rapids in o cork suit. His
dead body was picked mp at Lewiston
an hour later. Charles d. Graham, the
Philadelphia cooper, again successfully
navigated the rapids in his barrel.
Scotrs attempt was viewed with much
interest, on account of him being the
only person since Captain Webb to at
tempt the feat. The captain, however,
only wore his trunks, having NO other
protection. The fact that Scott and
Graham bad pretty we'll advertised
their foolhardy performances drew fully
twelve thousand people to the river. no
attempt being made by the authorities
TO interfere with either of the men.
Scott slipped into the water quietly
and went along nicely until he reached
rough water, when his real struggle
began. AS he was swept into the
whirlpool he disappeared from sight.
but was soon seen again BY the spects-
tors. He seemed, from the brief view
caught of him to give up all further Of
fort, as he was whirled about the eddy
ing waters much as II he we're dead j.
He then disappeared and was not seen
again until his body was picked up at
Lewiston. 1t was badly cut up by the
rocks. 1t Is supposed that Scott was
stunned as soon as he reached the
whirlpool and that he was drowned at
that time, the cuts and bruises being
inflicted by the rocks as the body was
swept down the river.
Graham had better fate, but he did
not come out nearly 40 we'll as on bis
fret trip through the rapids. This time
be went through the whirlpool with
his head out of the barrel. The barrel
was fixed 60 that he could not get his
head back. Graham has been consider
ably nettled by the "upstarts" who
have come after him In Niagara river
navigation and have tried to steal all
his glory. He entered his barrel At 10
o'clock, being towed out from the Maid
of the Mist landing. The barrel was
rigged with long funnel, 10 provide 1t
with air and prevent the occupant
strangling In case it stayed under too
long. To this funnel was attached q
flag.
When he reached the rough water
the barrel jumped and ducked badly
and the flag broke off the funnel: When
the barrel reached the rapids 1t went
under at times so that for moment the
funnel was all that could be seen. In
the whirlpool it was the same way
People thought the head of the barrel
had broken cut, for IL looked 30 from
the shore, aud when 1t went under they
were sure each time that the navigator
must be either killed or drowned, but
the boat lived through 1t all. just be-
fore the DEVILS Rapids were reached q
S. Calton threw out rope, and the craft
was towed ashore.
Graham came out in somewhat
prostrated condition, but not badly
hurt. His elbows and knees were
skinned and his body badly bruised in
several places. He expressed thanks
for the con 5ratulations that were
showered upon him, and said he would
not now bs afraid to jump from the
Cantilever bridge, provided he had an
air cushion under his barrel to break
the fall. He was about the village this
evening and claimed to be feeling COM
Portable. Among the other nsviRators
who promise exhibitions in the near
future are Potts and ii az lit, in their
double barrel; Prem and Decker, in
their beer -hogshead, and Professor A.
l.. Becker, of Baltimore, who to-day
announced that he should 90 through
some day next week on raft made
from the staves of beer kegs.
Whether these other cranks will be
hindered from risking their lives In
their various contrivances Is hard to
tell, but the death of Scott has awakened
a strong feeling against allowing any
further efforts to shoot the rapids
whether IN casks, barrels or cork suits