The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-12-16
THE TERRIBLE FATE
OF THREE HEROIC RAFTsMEN-THEIR
CRIES OF
Distress Heard for Miles, But the oigan.
tic Waves and Terrific Currents Pre-
vent Assistance From Those Eager 60
Aid Them.

II is said that there is always a calm be-
fore a storm, and the expression seems 10
have been fully verified in this case. On
Tuesday evening, December II, the skies
were clear and the sun shonc out in
Brightness not cloud was visible,
and soon the great father Of all light grace
fully retired TO the far distant West, there
to rest his scorched brow and aching head
upon the cool pillow Of darkness. While
the mother OF night was tcndcrly gather
ing the scattered rays Of the weary day
under her protecting wings, the moon
arose in all OF her loneliness The bcnuti.
ful little stars, in their Wild delight Of adj
miration, were gayly dancing around their
bright and beautiful mother (thc moon }
lending to the lonely mitsmcn their spark
ling eyes 10 guide them ON their wander
ing journey over the placid waters Of the
ircachcrous Ohio River. All that nature
could do 90 gladden. the hearts OF the three
raiismen had been done, and they seemed
20 imbibo happiness from the nights
rare beauties, which enthused them
with hope, contcntment, aud the rccol.
lection OF having left their sweet
hearts at home. Tie youngest pro.
posed that they sing Goodbye. Sweet
heart, and they all joined In, making the
air ring with their powerful voices. Sud
denly the voice oil one WIS hushcd, aud
pointing 10 the mighty great southwest hc
said "for heaven sake look at that angry
black cloud rapidly rising The mighty
force OF the wind could be- heard for miles
in tho distance, and every human effort
was made To mach the bank, bat the ran
OF logs was one of the largest ever ilnatcd
by three men. The storm rnged ncrccly
and soon they were left In utter darkness.
Tho waves began TO rise, aud soon lnshcd
the raft with such violence that the pin
niugs were broken, the logs severed, and
two oi the brave men sank 10 rise no murc.
The third bound himself tightly to large
walnut log which was riding III,
white caps with great difficulty. Mnny
times tie raging waves o'crlcapcd
his head, aud lac dcspnircd Of his life
Fortune favored the brave fellow, and h,
some miracle the log was carried into ~
eddy near the bank, where he was ioun,
next day by passing vessel In an insrn
bic condition. RCsomtivcs were admin
isicrcd, aud he became conscious. an,
when asked 10 give an account Of his on
pcricnce. made the following statement
"My name IL Edward burke. JOIN
Henderson, Thomas Hudson and myscl
lad a contract 10 deliver 100000 feet @
walnut lumber TO the Armstrong funi
turc Company, Of Evansville, Ind, 10 b
made up 10 gu u special order from thci
large branch house at Memphis, Tenn
We had delivered all except the raft
which We were floating when the might
storm overlook MS The factory nt T.,
nnsyillc had notified NJ that the Mcmphi
house was pressing them for the balanc
Of the furniture 10 iill their numerous an
increasing orlcn, and that We must d,
liver the balance OF the logs immcdiatcl,
never saw my two companions after the
sank, and don't know II their bodies wei
recovered ~ not.