The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-03-20
4 rHRILLINa ExPER1ENcE.
A PerIlous "Trip Overland From Tilla-
NOOK to Tanzy Point.

w. w. Ridehalgh, J. w. Welch and
A. p. Hald, first assistant lighthouse
keeper at Cape Meares, arrived in the
city by the steamer Ilwaco yesterday
afternoon, after having walked from
Tillamook to Tanzy Point. They had a
terrible experience at Hug Point and
all three narrowly escaped death. Mr.
Hald gave the following account Of the
trip to an Astorian representative last
evening:
They started OH their Journey Satur-
day afternoon, reaching Vests place
the same evening at dark. AS Mr.. West
was unable to furnish them with ac-
commodations, they were compelled to
return to Lovelps, about a mile dis
tant, and with great difficulty groped
their way in the dark. In the morning
they started out again. and their
troubles began in earnest. The mud
was about three feet deep, reaching to
their hips, on the way down Mccartney
mountain. and at False Tlllamook were
compelled to extricate each other out Of
the mud. Reaching Long Beach they
thought they were safe after getting off
the mountain trail, and walked the
beach to Elk Creek, distance Of nine
and one-half miles They were COM
PEELED to crawl through Arch Cape. with
the breakers washing over them.
Reaching Hug Point Mr.. Hald was in
the lead, with Mr.. Welch next and Mr.
Ridehalgh bringing up the rear Think
ing the foothold on the point to be Sc
cure, Mr. Hald called to the others to
come on, and then proceeded to climb
around the rock. The others at first
thought they would run past the point
when the breakers were receding, but
Mr.. Ridehalgh concluded not to make
the attempt and followed Mr.. Hald. Mr..
Welch attempted race with the break
ers, and was caught and carried out
and back again two or three times. Mr..
Hald was on the ledge and unable to
render any assistance, as he watched
Welch's struggles. One Of the breakers
washed Welch close to the ledge, and
he was fortunate enough to get a grip
with his finger-nails and cling for dear
life. AS soon as he was able to speak,
Welch's first words were: "oh, God,
where is Mr.. Ridehalgh?"
During the time that Welch was at
the mercy Of the waves. Ridehalgh, who
was climbing around the ledge was un-
able to keep his footing and fell, the
breakers washing up around him, but
not with sufficient volume to carry him
Off. Hald then went round the ledge
and assited Ridehalgh to safety, but
In badly bruised and exhausted con-
dition.
When Welch, who halls from the En-
erald Isle, was holding on to the rocks,
he had his hat in his hand, and Hald
asked: "Where in thunder did you get
your hat?" The Irishman. although con-
siderably exhausted, made an attempt
at wltticism, with the reply: BE
gorra, when the whale spouted me up /
saw my hat. and thought II was going
TO glory I'd take all my accoutrements
along, and grabbed 1t as a breaker car
ried me close to It,"
All three finally got around the dan
gerous point, and began march of
five miles to Elk Creek. Welch carried
a heavy valise and gum coat and man
aged TO save them, but Ridehalgh was
much exhausted, and only succeeded in
reaching his destination by desperate
effort.
At Elk Creek the travellers were hos
pjtably entertained at the Logan place,
and yesterday morning started for Sea-
side, reaching there at 1l;So. and Tanzy
Point at p. m. All were well worn
out.
Mr.. Hald, who is we'll known In this
city, where he has resided at intervals
during the last IA years. Is on his way
to Heceta Head to take charge Of the
new light at that place.
Welch, who cannot swim, owes his
life TO his coolness, as he never lost his
presence Of mind while In the water.
Indeed, he showed a most unselfish dis
position In his most trying moment, and
thought less of himself and his own
safety than he did OF the safety Of hi \