Morning journal and courier., 1890-07-29
NARROW EsoAPErRo DEATH

A. M. Downes ana DR.. John =. Neville
Rescued with DImculty Mt Far Rock
away, r.. I.
Alfred w. Downes of the New York Times
and DR.. John J. Neville of New York, both
of whom are well known here, the former
being brother of City Clerk Edward
Downes, narrowly escaped death in the
waves at Far Rockaway, LII, Sunday. They
at moment when the tide YVES ebbing, and
there was strong undertow. There were at
least two hundred persons in the water at
the time, but many of them were unable to
combat with the waves and had to come out,
so that at 1915 there were less than fifty in
| and experienced 49, bathers had much
| difficulty in keeping afoat. When they
reached the lifeline In front of Craig'e
| they were almost exhausted. ''Take hold Of
| the life line, Al" shouted the doctor, at the
same moment grasping 1t himself.
Mr.. Downes clutched the rope, but a mo-
ment later was buried beneath a mountain Of
| water. When he came to the surface he wai
stunned and bewildered and threw up hi
arms to sink back into another white crested
comber. The doctor screamed "help, helpI'
at the top of his voice, but the sound wa
| lost in the thunder of the breakers on tn,
beach. He released his grip on the life lin
! and waved his arms to attract the attention
/ of the crowd on shore. In his anxiety TO
his friend he forgot his own danger, and wa
:, | drawn under by the receding waves.
It was just at this moment that James Nc
Caffrey of 81 East Eleventh street, New
: York, saw him and went to his rescue. 81
, is powerful swimmer, but he never hal
| r,oh hot in, hio life raQohad Mr.
Downes just as the latter was going dow
for the last time. He clutched his bathin
suit and started for the shore. McCaffer
! fought hard, but just as he found his strengt
!. | failing him, and Just when both were sub
: merged beneath another mountain of wate1
! James Coyle, the ife-saver attached to til
= bathing pavilion, reached them, and he ws
followed by ?. q. Green, one Of the mo- mo-
q powerful swimmers there. Then the llttl
party sought to regain the beach.
t was painfully slow work breastin
became wildly excited when Mecca
= fiery released his hold and threw up his arm
John q. Backus of So Seventh street, Me-
! York, ran down the sands, threw aside h
, coat and hat, sprang into the water, dive
! through two huge combers, and then swai
. hand over hand as straight as an arrow
q the men who were making such despera,
. fight for life. He reached them just as a
were succumbing to the waves. He clutche
Mr.. Downes by the back of his suit, ant
! showing him in front of him and telling Il
: others to release their grasp, swan toward.tt
beach At this moment DR.. Neville manage
: to reach the beach by means Of the life lin
He was nearly exhausted, but grabbed
| strong rope that was reeled up on catam
ran and darted into the water again. Othe
saw the action and went to his assistanc
! The line was quickly unreeled and the en-
with the belt attached was passed aroun
= Mr.. Downes, just as Mr.. Bsckus succeede
in getting him into shoal water. In fe
| moments he was safe on the beach. He vi
: completely exhausted but was not serious
.. | hurt