The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1890-06-05
A Horse Swims Two Miles.

no COuSuCSt Two mites tIdt all y IlOfSs
IN New Haven ever covered, a dispatch
from that city says. fell to the lot of 6
big bay recently as a result of his owr
indiscretion. 1t was two miles straight
way across the harbor, from the end Of
Long Wharf to the East Haven shore
That is long swim for anything of tie
horse family, unless, perhaps, the hippo.
potamus; and the remarkable perform
ance was watched by hundreds of peo-
pie, who cheered loudly at it's successful
conclusion.
The horse belonged to truckman Clark
L. Smedley, and was one of handsome
pair worth over $500. They were har-
messed to a heavy truck, and their dri-
yer, Lew Woods, was taking them down
to the end of Long Wharf to get load
OF merchandise. Near the shore end OF
the wharf the bit of the off horse was
broken. He took fright Immediately,
and dragged his mate along the wharf
at mad gallop.
Dozens of loaded wagons were stand
ing in the way of the frightened horses,
and the excitement among the team
sters, who expected their own horses to
join in the race or suffer by collision
with Smedley's team, combined with APP
prehensions for Woods safety, tended
to make the scene exceedingly lively.
Driver Woods chung to the reins, and
either by nice judgment or good luck
steered his team clear of everything. He
hoped that they would stop at the end
of the wharf, but they gave no sign of
such an intention, and just at the last
moment he jumped. He struck on his
feet and was not hurt, but the team,
without checking their speed for an in
slant, dashed clear of the wharf and
disappeared in fifteen feet of water. ;.
Everybody rushed to the end of the
pier. There was no sign of the truck or the
near horse, but in about a minute the
animal that had caused the trouble came
to the surface, entirely clear of the
truck, and struck out for the other
shore, two miles away. Longshoreman
John Taylor and two deck hands from
the steamer Elm City jumped into
rowboat and pursued the swimmer.
They overlook him after chase of
300 feet, but dared not 60 very near him
for fear that he would upset their boat.
There was nothing to do but follow
along and render assistance if it became
possible
Meanwhile John Angus, with a fast
team, started round the shore to meet
the horse if he ever reached the other
bank. Angus carried blankets and
drinks to revire the horse,
which would naturally be much exhaus-
ted after his swim. The horse, watched
by great crowd, swan steadily through
the deep water, and showed little signs |
Of WEAKNESS. But about quarter of a !
nile from the shore he struck shoal wa
Ter and a muddy bottom. Here he fioun- |
Tered and seemed likely to drown. Tay
or and his companions in the boat came |
70 the rescue, however, and after hard |
in which the little craft was
more than once in danger of being |
the unruly bay, doubtless by |
this time repentant, was helped over the
shoal,
A few rods further ahead he stuck in |
the mud again and floundered about till |
ne turned over ON his back again. 1t |
was delicate operation to right him, |
'or his hoofs beat the water into foam, |
but Taylor and his companions were |
equal to the task and the bay was once
more set 'on an even KEEL Near the shore
there is a ledge with slippery, sloping
sides, and here the bay got into trouble
again. He tried to get a footing, but
slid off and sunk in the deeper water
Again he was rescued and started to-
wards the shore. Fortunately but a
narrow strip of water now lay before the
tired animal, and in few minutes he
struck hard bottom and walked ashore,
while a great cheer went up from the
crowd.
Angus was ready to meet him with the
warm blankets and the drinks. The
former was accepted with dumb thanks,
but the drinks were respectfully, though
firmly declined. The horse was not
bruised, except just over the eyes, and
his injury there, was not serious. Mr..
Smedley insured his horses for $3.50 a
few days ago, and will get half that sum,
no doubt, for the one that was lost. The
truck was worth $500. Two years ago
pair Of horses owned by Mr. Smedley
backed off Long Wharf and were
drowned