Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1888-09-27
SAVED FROM A GEYSER
Lady Tourists in the Yellowstone
Park.
Private Coyle Rescues the Daring
Maiden From a Pool Of Boiling
Water.

ST. PAUL.-Gen. Thomas 81, Rurer.
commanding the Department of Dakota,
has received regimental order from
Colonel Peter [. Sgaine, of the Twenty
second Infantry, stationed at Fort Keogh,
com mend1ng Private Coyle, Company B,
Iwenty-second Infantry, for an ac5 OF
herolsm displayed in the Yellowstone
Park recently. According to the state
ment of the commander, Coyle is one of
detail Of soldiers in the government
park guarding property, and stationed
near Old Faithful Geyser, which is we'll
known to tourists who have inspected the
wonders of the Yellowstone. A few DAYS
ago party of ladies from tina East we're
doing the PARK, and in the course of their
rambles they strolIed in the vicinity of
the crater of the geyser, and one daring
spirit essayed to penetrate the mysteries
OF spot where frequent but fruitless eff
forts have been made to ind the bottom.
She passed in safely along narrow
ridge, which divides a pool Of boiling
water, and peered in the depths of the
dangerous crater few feet distaLt
Faithful geyser derives its name from the
fact that every 55 minutes there is dis
charge from its depths which replenishes
the pool near which the venturesome
tourist stood. PremOnitOry sym ptons of
an eruption are conveyed by Kissing
sound as Of escapings steam, aud the day
in question the tourist had been frequent
ly notified of this fact. Female curiosity,
however, would not be baffied, and the
lady approached nearer the forbidden
ground, which is mere crust of lime
stone and sulphur formation. Suddenly
there was the usual sign given By Faith
ful geyser of its intentions, and the LADY
tourist, startled by the sound, shrIeked
and fell backward into the pool of hot
water. About 10 feet distant the crater
yawned in front of her, and in her frantic
efforts she WAS rapidly drifting towards
the bOttomless pit. At this junoture
Private Coyle bravely sprang into the
boiling water to the rescue of the unfor
tUnate victim of her own curiosity, and,
unmindfui of the fact that ne was being
badly scalded, succeeded IN saving the
tourist and himself, but not without ter
ribie results. 1t was not more than'20 feet
across the pool, and the water not more
than three feet deep, but In an incredible
short space of time both the lady and her
brave deliverer from horrible fate, were
badly scalded, and in a helpless condition
were removed to the Park Hospital, where
both are now under treatment. When the
lady fell into the pool she made an at
tempt to spring forward, and fell upon
her face in the seething waters, and her
principal injuries were found to be about
the face and head, while her clio hing had
protected other portions of her body. A
few seconds and all would have been
over Nth her, for in her struggles she
had approached the brink of the crater,
and as she grabbed with her hands at the
apparent rocky formation it crumbled
like powder. Luckily Coyle knew the
dangerous character of the surroundings
of the pool, and, amid the piaudits of a
few spectators he carefully retraced his
steps along the narrow pathway to firm
ground and sank unconscious beside the
senseless form of the rescued woman.
At regimental parade that afternoon the
heroism of the brave fellow who had
dared so much in behalf of woman was
fttipgly commended, and story of the
affair sent to General Ruger, who will
transmit the details to the secretary Of
war.
1t is proposed by friends of the lady
that an appropriate award shall be made
for the services of Private Coyie and it
has boon suggested that a lieutant's com
mission would not be too great a recon-
cense for his self sacrificing perform
ance.