The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-14
ROMANCE ON THE RIVER.
kidnapped from Her Fathers Raft and
Carried Away ON Her Leovcr'a.

Kidnapped from Her Fathers Raft and
Carried Away ON Hcr Lovers.
A lumherman dressed in woodsman style
came hurriedly into the Union depot at Pitts
burg n few mornings ago, says the Oil City
Derrick. Leaning on his arm was n pretty
girl about Is years old. Her painting breath
and fiery checks gave evidence OF her OK
element, which was seemingly made more
intense by their rapid walking. Following
them was another lumberman, more nerv-
Gus than the first. He seemed to be on
guard, and kept his eye turned toward tho
rear ranks. He said nothing until his pro-
teses we're ON board the day express for
the East. A few minutes afterward
an older man, with an air OF business, ell
bowed his way through the crowda and con-
fronted the woodsman. They started an
animated conversation about the couple
who had just boarded the train, and for a
few moments it seemed that a fight would
take place. Kindly advice from q by
stander saved them from the officers, how
ever, and the two walked off together
Later in the day the older man appeared
at the depot and bought q ticket to
Brady's Bend, on the Allegheny
Valley railroad. His name was
Andrew Myers. The girl who
had been carried off by the uncouth woods
man was a daughter of Meyers. They had
eloped frcm her fathers lumber raft. TIL
trio live on the Clarion river near Clarlng-
| ton. The younger mans name Is F.ank
Snyder. He is prosperous In the woods and
is considered u good business man. But he
is rough i'll his way, and Tor that reason
was not considered by Myers fit to be his
daughters lover. Miss Myers thought diff
f~e,entlv, however, and for the last year has
insisted on receiving the attentions OF Shy
der, Nevertheless she refused to elope
with her lover, and would only answer
wait"
A short time ago the rafting season on
the Clraion river commenced. Both Myers
and Snyder had timber to run to market,
and were constantly thrown in each 9th
er's way at the river bank. When their
RATS were nearly ready to be started they
accidentally commenced talking about
Miss Myers. Kindly expressions led to
which was quickly followed by a blow from
| Myers. A moment more and both were
| rolling in the mud. They were soon sepa-
rated, but not until Snyder had
made a vow to get the girl. MYERS
heard the words, and became
equally determined that his enemy should
never be his son-in-law. A few hours more
and both were to start down the river.
Myers was afraid to leave his daughter be-
hind, and giving as an excuse the statement
that he wanted her to cook for the men, he
brought her on the raft and gave her quar-
tiers IN the rough shanty, which is frequently
built on large flats. Snyder saw the object
of Myers move, and when the latter pulled
out with his raft SNYDER quickly followed
with his own.
Both RATS arrived at Brady's Bend about
the same time. Myers pulled in to tie up
fnr fha pirht ot,I rrhan nhnnt m land
Snyder's raft came up. He was acting as
pilot himself and, seeing Miss Myers stand
ing on the river edge of her fathers raft, he
Ordered his men to pull in such a way that
his own raft ran close to that of Myers.
When at the nearest point he jumped from
his oar, grabbed the girl and, as he leaped
back, yelled at his men to pull into the cur
rent. 1t was n daring act, but Snyder
had been victorious, and found
no trouble in p~ersuading Miss
Myers to give her consent to their
marriage when the opportunity came. He
knew Myers would follow, however, and to
make sure their escape. he determined to
run at night. They a rived at Sharpsburg
next morning. Meantime Myers had gone
to Pittsburg and was waiting at Heirs
Island for Snyder and his game. But they
didn't come. They guessed what he would
dc, and left him down the river while they
went to the union depot on q cabl car.
Myers heard of this trick about 1880 and
went to intercept it but it was too late.
The woodsmGI. lie met at the union depot
explained that they We're going to Camden,
n. j., to get married.
Mr.. Meyers confessed that Snyder was a
suitable man for any sensible girl, and his
chief grievance seemed to lie that his
daughter should 60 on a bridal tour with a
man whose wedding outfit would startle
civilization. Nevertheless, he admitted
that SNYDER had better clothes at home,
and his last remark was that if Snyder had
made much money lately he would forgive
him.