The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1889-09-16
4 TRIP In THE RAPIDS.
CAMPBELL GOES THROUGH SAFE
LYNN HIS CORK SUIT.

The Boat in Which He Started Cap
sized on the Crest OF a Huge Wave
His suit, However, Proved the Life
Passover That He Claimed IL Was.
NIAGARA FALLS, n. Y, Sept 15.-To-
day Walter G. Campbell of Youngstown,
n. Y. made a trip through the rapids Of
Niagara gorge below the falls. Early this
morning Campbell took himself to the
secret depths of bank up beyond the old
Maid-of-the- Mist landing, and remained in
hiding there until about noon. About
this time, he, in company with
friends, was seen rowing about the
river An anxious crowd of spectators
and friends gathered about him every time
he Landed at the old dock, but no officers
appeared to arrest him. In reply to the
ouestiou "Do YOU feel confident of coming
ont aliveW the reply came: ''If l didn't
worldn't 60. | intend TO row out III this
boat and remain in it as far down as l can.
The boat and dog are going with me-"
HIS SUIT.
s'You see l am well fixed in my suit, y
said he. calling attention to the way he was
fixed for the hazardous voyage. His suit
was nothing more than sixteen pieces OF
cork. each by IA inches and l inch thick.
tt was folded over his chest and about his
back. and between it and his body were
heavy cotton pads, straps about
the legs and shoulders holding it in
position. In fact, it was nothing
more than two life preservers put together
in one bag About his hips we're pair of
red trunks, and an undershirt covere d his
body His arms and legs were free from
clothing AT just $40 o'clock p. m. the
boat in which Campbell and a few friends
rode pushed off from above the point and
pulled slowly down to the Maid-of-the-M Mist
dock. where his friends went ashore.
THE START.
1t was 3:20 .. IN. when, with a steady,
unhinching stroke, Campbell pulled slowly
from the dock toward the center Of the
river He drifted down with the current
far toward the Canadian side. At 1926 p.
m, standing upright in his boat, he took
one of the oars and padded bis
craft in the direction he desired to
go, at the same time steadying it. As
ne rode rapidly down stream on the curren
beneath the cantilever bridge is was truly
an awe-inspiring sight. The eyes of thou
sands wore riveted upon him. Over heavy
swells he rode in safety and, as he neared
the first breaker of the rapids, he knelt
down in the bottom of the boat
AsIFIN PRAYER.
He passed through the first part of the
rapids while in kneeling position and hold
ing fast to the sides A huge wave in front
OF Buttery's elevator raised Campoell high
on its crest and capsized the boat. His
cork suit buoyed MIN up nicely. At 3:32 p.
m. ne was seen to enter the whirlpool and
was carried by the fierce current
far out into the maelstrom. By strong
swimming he soon reached the shore, and
willing hands were extended to the success
ful navigator, his father, James f. Camp
bell, being among the first TO congratulate
him. After effecting a landing he was
hurried TO the Whirlpool house, where
whisky was given him.
HIS STORY OF HIS EXPERIENCE.
Eo said: "No; did not weaken to nv
knowledge, at all. l kept my senses right
through the whole thing. Il was rather
bad at first when | was drift ing toward the
rapid there, but | did not mind it. / got
pretty well shaken up. lost my boat Just
opposite Buttery's eleva or, think After
| was thrown out l made an effort to catch
1t but it was about 20 feet beyond me and |
couldn't do it, 1t went faster than did. u
Campbell is not quite 21 years old.