Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-07-03
THEY ELOPLJ ON A RAFT.
A ZIMMERMAN STEALS HIS BRIDE
FROM HER FATHERS BOAT.

Pennsylvania Back;voods Country-An /
Irate Father Outwitted-His Opposition
Was Only spiteful.
A lumberman dressed III woodsman !
style came hurriedly into the union de-
pot. Leaning on his arm was pretty |
girl about eighteen years old. Her pant
ing breath and fiery checks gave evil
dence of her excitement, which was
seemingly made more intense by their
rapid walking. Following them was an
other lumberman, more nervous than
the first. He seemed to be on guard,
and kept his eyes turned toward the
rear ranks. He said nothing until his
proteges were on board the day express
for the east. A few minutes afterward
an older man, with an air Of business,
elbowed his way through the crowd and
confronted the woodsman.
They started an animated conversation
about the couple who had just boarded
the train, and for few moments 1t
seemed that fight would take place.
Kindly advice from bystander saved
them from the officers, however, and
the two walked off together. Later in
the day the older man appeared at the
depot and bought ticket to Brad's
Bend, on the Allegheny Valley railroad.
He was approached by reporter and
readily consented to tell the story.
His name was Andrew Myers. The
girl who had been carried off by the I'M
couth woodsman was daughter of
Myers. They had eloped from her
| fathers lumber raft. The daring act
took place near Brady's Bend, and was
the crowning act of a romance made ex-
citing by n determined lover, an irate
father and faithful girl, whose respect
| for her fathers wishes had hitherto pre-
vented clandestine marriage
FATHER AND LOVER FIGHT.
The trio live on the Clarion river near
Darlington. They are well known in
the lumber country. The younger mans
name is Frank Snyder. lie is prosper
Gus in the woods, and is considered a
good business man, but he is rough in
his way, and for that reason was not con-
sidered by Myers fit to be his daughters
lover. Miss Myers thought differently,
however and for year insisted on re-
ceiving the attentions of Snyder. Never
theless she refused to elope with her
lover, and would only answer "wait."
The rafting season on the Clarion river
commenced. Both Myers and Snyder
had timber to run to market, and were
constantly thrown in each others way
at the river bank. When the RATS were
nearly ready TO be started they acct
IDENTIFY commenced talking about Miss
Myers. Kindly expressions led to insin-
uations, and then u war of words, which
was quickly followed by a blow from
Myers. A moment more and both were
rolling in the mud. They were soon
separated, but not until Snyder had
made a vow to get the girl. Myer:
heard the words and became equally de
ternined that his enemy should never
be his son-in-law.
A few hours moro and both were tC
start down the river Myers was afraid
to leave his daughter behind, and giving
as an excuse tho statement that he want
ed her TO cool, for the men, he brought
, her on the raft and gave her quarters IL
the rough shanty which Is frequently
, built on large flats. Snyder saw the Oh
' iect of Myers move, and when the lat
2 ter pulled out with his raft Snyder quick
! ly followed with his own.
a PAPA COMES TOO LATE.
q Both RATS arrived at Brady's Benz
shortly after 6 o'clock Saturday night
Myers pulled in to tie up for the night
and when about to land Snyder's raj
came up. He was acting as pilot him
self, and, seeing Miss Meyers standin:
= on the river edge of her fathers raft, h
Z ordered his men to pull in such wa.
that his own raft ran close to that o
. Meyers. When at the nearest point h
2 jumped from his OR, grabbed the youn
4 girl, and, as he leaped back, yelled a
> his men to pull into the current. 1t wa
a daring act, but Snyder had been vic
4 torious, and found no trouble in pei
suading Miss Myers TO give her consen
L to their marriage when the opportunit
:. came. He knew Myers would follow
- however, and to make sure their escap
q :. he determined TO run at night
q They arrived at Sharpsburg mex
% morning. Meantime Myers had come
y Pittsburg, and was waiting at Herr
u Island for Snyder and his game. BIT
u they didn't come. They guessed whi
" he would do, and left him down ii
v river while they went to Union depot o
a cable car. Myers heard of this trio
about 1880 and went to intercept it, bt
he was too late. The woodsman he m'
a at Union depot explained the occurrenC
r leading to the flight, and told Mr.. Mye
s. that they were going to Camden, N. }
B. to get married.
TO Mr.. Myers was still angry when see
IN at the Home hotel. He confessed tn
ne Snyder was suitable man for any Sc
TO sible girl, and his chief grievance SCENE
sc to be that his daughter should go on
de bridal tour with man whose weddir
mt outfit would startle civilization. Neve
TO theless he admitted that Snyder had be
ce ter clothes at home, and his last rema
| l.