Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1889-04-05
PAUL BOYTON.

Four steamers, the ferry-boat and
numerous smaller craft were employed
10 carry people across the bay, and
although they were kept constantly
running it was only by the greatest ex-
crtion that passage could be obtained
on the boats, as they momentarily
touched at the wharves, while the
people piled promiscously over the
railing before the lines could be hauled
taut. 1t is surprising that no serious
disaster resulted in the jam that
ensued on the wharves and the frantic
rush that was made for the boats as
they barely touched and each received
the limited number of passengers (by
guess, without so much as putting
out a gang-plank. The receipts for
passage at twenty-five cents each,
amounted to a little over 81 200, one
half of which went to the exhibitor.
Paul Boyton was born in June, 1S4S,
near Pittsburg, Pa. At earliest child
hood he evinced the strongest passion
for the water, and when at school his
studies partcok- of that inclination,
and he graduated in navigation at an
early age. In 1864, he joined the
American Navy, and served faithfully
during the war. Afterwards lie en-
gagged in submarine diving. From
1867 to 1869 he was in the liie-saving
service on the Atlantic coast, during
which time he saved II lives. After
passing through various vicissitudes
which possess the charms of romance,
in 1874 he commenced his career in a
rubber suit, from which he has become
famous. 1t would take many columns
of the OLYMPIAN to detail his extra
ordinary exploits which have become
the wonder Of the world. There is
scarcely a river in the old or the new
world that has not been embraced in his
line of travel, and the oceans and the
lakes have likewise been open fields for
his indomitable pluck and love of
adventure. One of his longest voyages
WAS on the Yellowstone and Missouri
rivers, $3.50 miles, in 1881. He has
passed through many hardships and
dangers, and has attained in his life
mission a high round On the lad
der of fame. Capt. Boyton was pre-
sented, while in Europe with A medals
and decorations. and has THREE times
received the order of Knightho,d.
In giving his public performances,
Mr.. Boyton has arranged programme
which does not differ materially at any
place. At Seattle, Sunday, the same
feats were performed as were given
elsewhere, and doubtless the same
things will be witnessed by our people
if he can be induced 10 pay Olympia a
visit. We condense from a report of
one of these performances a descrip-
ton of his suit and an outline of
his acts, which will give very fair
idea of its characteristics. The suit
worn is made of vulcanized rubber in
two parts, pantaloons and tunic, joined
at the waist by a steel band, leaving
only the face bare. This dress is in
fated with air from the mouth by
email tubes attached to the several
parts, and enables him to float lightly
on the water on his back, with
his head on an air-cushion. He
propels himself by means of q double
bladed paddle, feet foremost. By
means of an iron socket attached to
his foot, he showed how he could
carry flags when voyaging to attract
attention. Next from the stores o.
the Baby Nine" Little tender made
of copper and modelled after the hull o.
, an iron-clad which he always tow
, behind him, stocked with every
/ possible supply likely to be needed OF
his voyages, he brought carrier pigeons
and fastening imaginative dispatcher
, under their wings, he sent them of, 4
; show how they could be used to carr,
news of the result OF q reconnoiter il
D times of war. Scattered about owe
: the bay were pieces of timber an,
, logs, which the Captain had soon gath
cred together and constructed a raj
D capable of holding several people
! He worked in the water as easily as
/ he was on land, and the celebrity will
Q which the timbers were arranged dreV
D forth countless EXPLANATIONS of won
q der. Mounting the raft he drew out
e telescope and scanned the horizon il
search Of . passing sail, and thel
+ showed numerous distress signals il
t the way Of powerful decorating rock
t cts and bombs, flags, bugle, etc. Hi
: next feat was to show with what cas-
n he could approach the good places il
/ the fishing grounds without the aid 9
e a boat. Picking up fishing-rod, h
a reclined comfortably awaiting = nil
bic, or stood upright and leaned hi
: elbow on the surface of the water, a
y though it was the most substantial
Y support in the world. A fish weigh
e ing about one pound was soon caught
!, though there was q gentle suspicion
that the scaly denizen had been in
structed beforehand to fasten itsel
on the book. The ish was killed an,
he made for the raft with it. PuIlin,
the "Baby Mine" to his side, he tool
out knives, forks table paraphernali'
without end, vegetables, cruetetand
and suspicious looking bottle. A fir,
was started in little crate, the fist
cleaned and soon was sizzling in tn
frying-pan. while the Captain proceed
ed to set his table and pre-
pare for dinner. After enjoying hi
own cookery, he lighted cigar, he istet
sun umbrella, and laid back to pc
ruse q morning newspaper. With tn,
aid Of different style sails, he then con
verted himself into very handy look
ing sail boat. and showed with the as