Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1891-06-25
From DeS Arc.
We are still having rain and nothing but

We are still having rain and nothing but
rain.
There came very near being a sad accident
here last Thursday morning. DR.. Raney,
wife and granddaughter, eleven years old,
O'NeaPs, about three miles from Des Arc,
on Big Greek on Wednesday evening. Dur
ing that night there was heavy rainfall on
the head of Big Creek, while it did not rain
drop at Des Arc. On Thursday morning
they started for Des Arc (not thinking about
high water) in a two-horse wagon driven by
Charley Chiffon, young man who is living
with w. T. O'Neal. They had to cross the
creek three times to get to Des Arc. When
they came to the first ford it was only little
muddy, when they reached the second ford
it was a little up, but when they reached the
third ford, which is at the wire bridge near
Des Arc, they found the creek considerably
swollen and raising very rapidly. They
halted for a short while and young Chiffon
said they could walk over the wire foot
bridge and he would take the team over,
but the Doctor said. "NO, my head swims
and we will stay in the wagon" So in they
went. No sooner had they gotten fairly in
than they struck swimming water and very
swift, so the wagon and horses went floating
down the stream and the wagon was turned
over, throwing all overheard in the swim
ming water. They all foated into some
bushes and trees near the bank on the same
side which they started in on. They caught
hold of the limbs or bushes. but Mis-.
Raney's limb broke and she went on down
the stream; young Chiffon Zone of the BRAY
est boys that ever lived) jumped out after
them the wagon was turning and caught
the Doctor Ga very feeble old man nearly 70
years old) on root of a tree and his body
e-third out of the water; he then went to
the rescue of the little girl, Jessie, who was
hanging on to bush about ten feet below
the doctor, IN at least twenty feet of water
and very swift. After getting her out on
the bank he ran down the bank of the swol-
len stream, looking for Mrs. Raney who by
this time had floated one hundred yards
down the stream. He spied her in the mid
die of the creek going on down nearly life
less. He made leap into the rapid current
catching her by the back of the neck he float
ed her to the bank, saving her life, for in a
little while she would have been drowned.
He then ran back to where he had left the
Doctor, and the water had raised SO fast that
the waves were beating in his face, and ia
little while he would have been lifeless, but
God did not intend it. Young Chiffon man.
aged to get him out almost exhausted. After
getting them all safe on shore. he fairly
shouted, exclaiming, "Thank God, thank
God ! it was not l but God that saved them"
Thanking the Lord he then turned his at
tention to the team which had flOated down
the stream. One horse was still alive; he
swan in, and, with much difficulty, cut the
harness and liberated the horse and drove
him out, saving him while the other horse
was already drowned. He then ran to Des
Are, gave the alarm, and returned with dry
clothing, and took them to a neighbours
house near by, and with kind attention from
friends and relatives they were all soon re-
vived ard brought to DeS Arc that evening.
Young Chiffon deserves great deal of credit
and reward for this deed, for there is not one
boy in a thousand who would have r1sked
their lives that way. He is Christian boy,
and it takes a Christian to face death in suCh
a manner. Jessie n. Gardner is a grand
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. A. Gardner Of
Crystal City, Mo-, also. Mrs. Gardner is
here on a visit and it was quite a shock to
her to think that her little motheriess and
fatheress grandchild was so nearly lost.
They lost all their hats, trunks, etc., but
some of them were found afterwards. DIR.
Raney was taken to his son Frank at Des
Arc, and has been very feeble ever sincesit
happened. They hope to be able to return
home this week in Howell county, Mo. They
have the sympathy of the whole community,
and as to Charley Chiffon may God ever bless
him for this brave and gallant act.
Miss Mamie Farrar of this place was mar
ried to-day to a Mr.. Moore of New Orleans.
They will leave in a few days for that city.
Mr.. II. b. Retlcker left for his home in
Illinois last Thursday night to visit friends
and relatives about month.
Miss Matthew Benson of Annapolis visited
friends here last week. ISAAC.