Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1894-06-02

people who. one after another, had
succumbed to the freezing water and
bitter winds, until in sight of land
and thousands Of people, they had
become unconscious, and dropped
into the seething waters below.
What a terrible sight! Many gal
liant efforts were made first by the
tug men, foremost among them the
Hagcrman, a tug took ride on last
summer; then thought Capt. John
Sweeney looked like brave man;
now know him to he one. for it was
he who planned and successfully
carried out the sche me that rescued
the only two men who were saved,
though many lives were riskcd in
the saving. Thousands of people
stood upon the beach all day watch
ing the different vessels, especially
the Cummings and large schooner.
the Barnes, drifting on the beach.
This vessel was safely landed by a
huge wave high and dry on the sandy
beach OF Jones island, much to the
| Joy of the crew, who were not long
in finding more pleasant quarters:
and how glad even strangers were to
see them safely landed!
The Awful Sceacs.
AS there was clear sky we decided
to go to the lake, but it was too late
to go to the scene of the wreck. and
confident that the woman and those
who were living of her companions
had been rescued, we neared it with
less feeling of horror than we would
had we known that all were lost but
one Of the crew and the one brave
surfman, Goerdes, of the life saving
station, who was left on the wreck
after an unsuccessful attempt bv his
companions to save the crew Of the
Cummings. People all along the
tracks of the Northwestern rushed
back as the breakers arose fifty feet
or more leaped forward, drenching
all who ventured near the break
water. The moon in all her splendor
rose over the lake. her bright and
silvery reflection falling on oh! such
changed scene-only one night had
passed and all the beauty had disap-
pearcd, and looked in horror on the
vessels were anchored in the bay, one
far out. flying a signal of distress.
There were lights on some, but at
times only the tops of the masts
could he seen. Mountains of water
leaped high. foam-crestcd, dark and
fearful. A tug was seen going out to
the schooner flying the signal. As
it grew dark we could not tell what
was done, only we knew that the
brave little tug visited every vessel
in the bay, no doubt giving them en-
couragement. Why she did not at
tempt to bring any one of them in we
understood was. it was impossible in
the darkness and storm. Suddenly l
caught glimpse of a dark object on
the crest Of a wave and cried out.
Others saw it as it again arose to
view. On it came. and the hushed
whisper, "a man! man." went
round. Forward sprang a few stout
hearts td help the supposed man,
when with tremendous force well
known article. a Milwaukee-b beer bar
rel. fell at the feet of the would-b be
rescuers. and drenching shower of
water that caused the men to start
for home and dry clothes. / did not
think my assistance needed. and so
escaped the wetting.
Left Disheartcned.
We remained until 9 O'Clock, and
hearing from others that the man
and woman still chung to the masts,
We thought it could hardly be posi-
BILE that they were still alive. So,
sad enough. we left the lake and
started home, and welcomed the sight
of the bright hardwood fire burning
gaily in the grate-wood that the
hardy sailors bring to Milwaukee
daily. After getting warm. l re-
tired. but could not help thinking of
the poor people anchored in the bay.
Morning dawned with clear sky,
yet the winds were high. Aud with
heavy winter wraps. was
none too warm at 9 O'Clock,
when stood in the midst
OF motley crowd, near the light
house, and directly opposite the
wrecked vessel. Sadly the people
gazed upon the figure of the woman
| THAI couid DC plalnly seen swinging
in the wind, part of the sail that
had been wrapped about her having
been caught up in such way that it
looked like an arm held out in vain
supplication for help which came too
late. Back and forth the strange
locking figure swayed, causing the
heart of each one who viewed it to
ache, each one asking, "Why could
not these poor people have been
saved?" Looking to the beach be-
yond. saw the wreck of the Barnes.
Everywhere the wild waves were tos-
sing about, and the high winds
dashed the water into a white fury.
Over the lighthouse the waves were
breaking-one could hardly under
stand why it was not washed away.
Again and again nv eyes reverted to
that sad sight. What a wild and
terrible scene it presented this morn.
ing! What must it have been during
the snow, rain and wind of the day
before. l. looked about me at the