The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-12-08
A GALLANT RESCUE.

AsstoS "a Uni SiluAAth at lllt lnOuIn
Of Welland river Commonly called
Chippewa creek), which flows into the
Niagate about one and half miles
above the falls and perhaps three
fourths of milo above the first rough
water Of the terrible rapids.
Notwithstanding the dangerous prox-
unity Of the falls people are continually
crossing aud recrossing tho river here
between the American and Canadian
shores.
Great caution is generally exercised
by boatrnen and the loss of life on this
stretch of water is less than on any body
Of equal width--constantly trayersed by
small open boats-that know of, De-
plorable fatalities have occurred from
time to time, but these have always
been the result of ignorance or gross
carelessness.
Three cases of this kind have come
under my own observation, and l was
unhappy enough TO see the victims drawn
down to the first leap of the rapids, after
which not q trace Of any ono of them
was ever seen.
One of these instances was that of
farmer, who drove his horses and wag-
on into the edge of the river, at a shoal
place about mile above Chippewa, to
let the animals drink-that particular
spot being the only one for many miles
which was adapted to the purpose.
The man, though perfectly familiar
with the locality, carelessly drove in too
far, and upon attempting to turn about
one Of the reins caught under the neck
yoke, the horses floundered into deep
water, the heavy running gear sank,
dragged the poor brutes down and
drowned them, while the light pine
wagon box fioated off with the man!
The unfortunate fellow was known to
be good swimmer, and if he had in
stantly jumped ont and made for shore
all would have been we'll. But he was
frightened out of his wits and did moth
ing but scream for help. Now comes
tho strangest part of the story. The ac-
cident was witnessed by another farmer,
plowinG in field close at hand As he
we'll knew, there was not boat of any
kind nearer than Chippewa, and yet, in
stead OF springing on one of his horses
and riding for life, he actually walked
down along the bank, keeping abreast
of and talking to his i1nperiled neighbor
and cheering him by the assurance that
he would get boat and take him off
when he should come in front of the
village.
Granddaughter such is the trend of
the current there-as the box floated
down stream, it was borne further and
further from land, and when it did ar
pngOaifn ia EF
river was fully 400 yards out.
Only then did the sympathizing friend
rush into the village and give the alarm.
From the edge of the Niugara to Chip
pewa bridge, where the nearest boat lag,
was at least 300 yards. This distance he
had to run and find some one to unlock,
equip with oars and man the boat. Tho
consequence inevitably was that the
doomed farmer was far beyond human
help even before it started-started only
and then TUNED back from the hopeless
chase.
That awful cry. "a man going over
the fallse resounded through the village
streets, aud crowd of people quickly
gathered.
The hapless castaway was now shoot
ing down that smooth, swift incline of
water Immediately above the rapids.
He had evidently given up all hope of
rescue, and was kneeling on the bottom
of his frail raft with outstretched, |
clasped hands, apparently in prayer.
Faster and faster he was hurried
along, and i'll another moment we saw
the box lifted high on tho crest of the
rapids first tumultuous ridge, shaken
to pieces like a pack Of cards and floated
in fragments away amid the saethipg
hell of waters, while its late occupant
disappeared forever from human view.
Tho second person whom | saw thus
done TO death was one of a party Of duck
hunters who had been shooting in tho
weedy passage between Grand and Buck.
horn islands. In spite of his companions
advice to the contrary, this man deter
mined to remain out all night in the
nope of making u good bag i'll the early
morning.
The last thing his comrades saw of
1iln-so they told us-he had drawn the
DOW of his beat little way up on
'andbar at the lower end of Buckliorn
sland and laid himself down to sleep in
1er.
1t is supposed that, while he slept, o
'hange of wind caused the water to rise
to set the boat free-a mod
rate down stream breeze would do it,
At all events, shortly after daybreak
lext morning some one of the Chippe-
vas early risers called out that an
mpty boat was going over the falls.
knot Of interested spectators soon
locked down to the rivers edge to SEQ
he exciting event, opinions being about
,qually divided as to whether the light
kiif would live to reach the cataract
tself, or would go to pieces on touching
he rapids.
As we thus speculated our idle talk was
replaced by a general cry of
horror, for, from the bottom of what we
lad thought an empty shell, the head
md shoulders of man all at once be.
anne visible, and the next moment he
ose TO his feet. Beyond all doubt tGe
uckless being had only that instant
weakened.
Can human imagination conceive or
Mortal pen describe what that awaken
ns must have heenl
A few short hours before he had lain
Iown to rest in fancied security and
With bright anticipations of coming
port. Now he opens his eyes and looks
ronnd to find where?-on the
cry brink of that wildly tossing, awful
lood from WHICH all the wealth, ali the