Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1892-08-11
DEATH In THE DRIFT.
HEROIC DROWNING OF A CONVICT
WHO OWED FOR HIS GUARD.

ucreism Of Texas Con,icts to Save tho
Life Of Their Kecpcr-A Thrilling
story of an Escap. aud M Attempt at
Capture-rhe Lucky NcEro Returns.
The bodies Of William II, Camp and
Andy Ward have boon recovered. They
drifted ashore on tho west bank Of the
Brazos river, nj tho Steiner farm. twelve
miles below Waco.
William Camp was n guard on the
county convict farm. Sam johnson,
negro convict. suddenly made u dash
from the cotton patch, whore he, with
other convicts. was chopping cotton,
md. running to the river, plunged In
and struck out for tho other shore.
George Oglcsby, ono of tho lcsscos. and
William Camp, ono OF the guards,
mounted and gave chase. taking the
river and swimming their horses In the |
wake Of the negro Camp led and car |
Rcd his six shooter In his hand. while tho I
lessee followed closely, both horses
swimming gracefully.
Tho river was up and tho drift was
going down in large quantities. This
flo,snm and ictsam Of the ruddy current
consists OF little of everything Hoods
lind upon invaded shores. There was
hero n foncopost with n bit OF barbcd
wiro trailing, tho wire dragging some
thing else. Next dead COW. trcotop.
an old boat upturncd and frequently
panel or two II foncc. all moving like
platoon bristllng with the barb wire in
vented TO turn cattle. Through this
labyrinth the swimming negro, with
wonderful dexteri,y, took his way. But
tho hoEeinon. after rcaching tho ohnn-
mel. found that they could not proceed,
and reluctantly turned back.
Oglosby's horse. punched by rails, tan
rlcd IN the lighter drift and wounded
with wire, ceased swimming, turned
over and went floating on his side.
Ogloiby swan beside him, and holding
his mano gently guided him toward the
shore. which he safely reached. utterly
exhausted. Camps horse ceased swim
ming and commenced churning with his
hind feet "Lct go hia head, and when
he starts catch his tail" cried Oglesby
from tho shore. Camp still held his ro-
volver In his hand His face was by this
timc white with horror. The other con-
victs and guards now lined tho shore.
oglcahy arose TO his feet and shoutcdj
"Mon, am hurt aud strangled. ! am
past swimming. Save Win Camp and
will pay what You charge"
II was an awful place to attempt q
rescue. Tho drowning man still hello
his pistol and struggled Up tho drift
One hand was rigidly claspcd ON IN
ivory handle and the other was liftet
up. Those ON shore followed him aloni
"a he slowly hoatod, and Andy War
was observed TO b. stripping himself
Lessee George Oglesby also began q
pull OF his boots. He found that hi
ankle was sprained and ho could not e
On with tho task. Ho sat down in dc
Ipair.
Save him. Andy" oglcshy cried, nm
Andy said. II will II can, Mr.. George.
By this time Camp was nearly under
his face could be seen now aud then, IN
ono hand still held up the pistol. TIL
other appeared again and again aboy
tho eddios In mute appeal. Aud
plunged In and swan with powort,
strokes but when he reached ont do say
Camp tho latter went down and arose Il
more.
Andy Owed ut the point where Cam
sank and came up again. His arm an
face were observed TO be bleeding;
hnd been touched by tho drift Con
back" was shouted 10 him from Il
shore, hut the brave negro would n
hear 1t. He was bent on the work
hand. and under ho went again NJ
again. Presently he came mp and ga
wild cay. Then he sank again ~
came up no more alive.
II was nearly o'clock In the aft
noon two days later when boy on I
banl; saw VIII Camps body moving
tho current Two hundred yards behi
the dead guard loated Andy, whom
had lately guarded, Tho prisoner h
died to gavo tho officer, aud was NJ
floating after him, q ghastly trayesty
u heroic attempt. Both were taken {
and placed side by side. Al last
guard had given mp his weapon, and
poor convict Andy was forever free.
While the drowning scene was goI
on beyond the river on tho other :
another incident occurred. a Gro
stood together watching tho strugt
From tina rescue was impossil
The river 90 yards wide and
drift was or that way. Present.
ragged II drippng with water,
peared cd with tho others. AZ
gazing awl he plunged in aud sw
h-~h