The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1888-01-20

But the five men. apparently careless
of their danger. went vigorously at
work upon the logs. which SO far had
proved immovable. 1t seemed hope
less task. but somewhere there was a
single log that like a lock. held those
miles of timber. If that could be found
and loosened. the work would be done.
and to that end the men labored and
searched persistently. To the same
en-. also, splash after ''splash"
was sent down from the large floating
dam just above. carrying acres of water
as fast as it could escape through the
huge flood-gates.
They're going to give us double
splash this time" said Samuel Layton,
as he came back from near the shore,
where he had been talking with one of
the tenders of the dam. IF we can't
break it this time, we'll"
''Try it again." said his brother.
1--WE were sent here to break this jam.
and we're going to break it before we
leave. It's got to be broken, or the
drive can't go through. and there isn't
any thing for us to do but just to stick
here until we get it started"
"And then we'd better be of mighty
quick" said one of the other men.
'.It's going to be bad place down
there, and I'd little sooner be on
shore" AS he spoke, he pointed to
the boiling. swirling water that roared
and dashed on the rocks below them.
at is rough place." William Lay
ton replied; "but. boys. we have all
been in rough places before, and we've
always come out safe. And l guess
we shall this time," he continued, after
a moments thought; '.but we must be
careful"
THEN work began again. and scarce
" word was spoken rs all hands piled
their levers. Here and there log was
loosened little, but there was small
hope that the right one had been
moved, when. after about an hour,
word was received that the splash was
coming. In few moments the water
held by two mighty dams. would
spend its force upon the jam, and the
wor>men. as we'll as the crowd of by
ISLANDERS, waited eagerly for the result.
In the excitement and apprehension
that preceded the arrival of the flood
little was said. The men were on the
very front of the great jam, working
with cautious energy. but ready at any
moment to scramble for their lives,
while thr spectators looked and listen
ed airl tered.
But they had not long to wait. First.
they heard the booming of logs picked
up by the splash, and hurled against
the rear of the jam. Then. slowly
forcing its way through the suilen mass
of pine. they saw the water held by
two immense dams. coming steadily
nearer As it came, the logs were lift
ed by its giant force. and, writhing and
creaking, mingled their sharp discord
with the deep. continuous roar of the
flood.
At last the water reached the head of
the jam. and the excitement became
more intense than ever. The men
worked with all their might, while the
people on shore almost held their
breath. Cracking and rising and twist
ing. the logs seemed to be moving in
every direction but the right one.
Would they finally start down stream?
Every worker and watcher asked
himself this question, and it was an
swered just as the head of the flood
passed from under the logs; for the
great jam then began to move forward.
slowly and sullenly at first, then swift
ly and resistlcssly.
1t was grand sight. that huge body
of moving timber. crashing and roar
ing, sweeping every thing before it
with measureless forcc-a sight never
to be forgotten. Great trees upon the
banks of the stream were caught by the
rushing mass. uprooted and carried
along like straws; giant logs snapped
like tiny alders.
There was continuous roar, rs of
partially mufiled artillery; an often re-
curing crash, like volleys of muskctry;
and the thousands of logs, like re-
sistless army, charged straight upon
the five men, whose destruction seemed
all but inevitable.
At the first symptom of the jams
breaking they, of course. started for the
shore. jumping quickly from log to log,
and evading. as best they could. the
dangers that hemmed them in on every
side Now huge trunk leaped sud-
denly out of the mass and ended over
with au ugly blow; and the next mo-
ment another was hurled swiftly round
with a vicious side-sweep by some ua-
seen leverage.
In the face of such perils. and amid
the roar of flood and the crash of tim
ber the men were bravcly struggling
toward the shore.
Fighting their way side by side in
the most hazardous part of the jam,
and several yards behind their COM
panions. were William and Samuel
Layton. SAilfully, watchfully. they
sprarg over the booming. hurrying
logs. and the anxious crowd breathcd
easier as they neared the shore.
The other three were already safe.
and anticipating the escape of all. 4
cheer went up from the excited people.
The cheer was ill-timcd. for scarcely
was it given when a log whirled swiftly
round and swept Samuel Layton from
his feet.
A cry of horror broke from the crowd
as the brave Young lumberman fell to