Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-09-11
THEY ELOPEO ON A RAFT.
4 ZIMMERMAN STEALS HIS BRIDE
FROM HER FATHERS BOAT.

Pennsylvania Backwoods Country-An
Irate Father Outwitted-His Opposition
Was Only spiteful.
A lumberman dressed in woodsmaL
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 cheeks 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 a few moments it
seemed that a fight would take place.
Kindly advice from a bystander saved
them from the officers, however, and
the two walked of together. Later In
the day the older man appeared at the
depot and bought a ticket to Brad's
Bend, on the Allegheny Valley railroad.
He was approached by q reporter and
readily consented to tell the story.
His name was Andrew Myers. The
girl who had been carried of by the IN
couth woodsman was q daughter of
Thav ho1 a1Dv>a1 hav
fathers lumber raft. The daring act
took place near Brady's Bend, and was
the crowning act Of a romance made ex-
citing by 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. He is prosper
Gus in the woods, and is considered q
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 a 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 war Of words, which
was quickly followed by blow from
Myers. A moment more and both were
rolling in the mud. They were soon
separated, but not until Snyder had
made vow to get the girl. Myers
heard the words and became equally de-
termined that his enemy should never
be his son-in-law.
A few hours moro and both were to
start down the river. Myers was afraid
to leave his daughter behind, and giving
as an excuse the statement that he want
ed her to cook for the men, he brought
her on the raft and gave her quarters in
the rough shanty which is frequently
built on large fats. Snyder saw the OBJ
ject of Myers move, and when the lat
ter pulled out with his raft Snyder quick
ly followed with his own.
PAPA CONES TOO LATE.
Both rats arrived at Brady's Bend
shortly after 8 o'clock Saturday night.
Myers pulled in to tie up for the night,
and when about to land Snyder's raft
came up. He was acting as pilot him
self, and, seeing Miss Meyers standing
on the river edge Of her fathers raft, he
ordered his men to pull in such way
that his own raft ran close to that OF
Meyers. When at the nearest point he
jumped from his oar, grabbed the young
girl. and, as he leaped back, yelled at
his men to pull into the current, 1t was
daring act, but Snyder had been vic
torious, and found no trouble in per-
suading 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 arrived at Sharpsburg next
morning. Meantime Myers had come to
Pittsburg, and was waiting at Heirs
Island for Snyder and his game. But
they didn't come. They guessed what
he would do, and left him down the
river while they went to Union depot on
cable car. Myers heard of this trick
about 7:30 and went to intercept it, but
he was too late. The woodsman he met
at Union depot explained the occurrence
leading to the fight, and told Mr.. Myers
that they were going to Camden, N. j.,
to get married.
Mr.. Myers was still angry when seen
at the Home hotel. He confessed that
Snyder was suitable man for any SEN
sible girl, and his chief grievance seemed
to be that his daughter should go on a
bridal tour with man whose wedding
outfit would startle civilization. Neve.-
theless he admitted that Snyder had bet
Ter clothes at home, and his last remark
was chat II Snyder had made much
money lately be would forgive him.