The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-08-02
Plucky Fisherman's Scheme to
Make Money and Fame.
A TRIP TO SAN FRANCISCO
In An Open Fishing Boat, Antoine
Nicholas, Hero of Pt. Bonita,
Will Attempt Venture.

Antoine Nicholas is a venNresome fell
! low. The greater part OF his life has been
spent upon the water and he can recount
a number Of incidents where he has had
hair breadth escapes from a watery
grave. During the fishing season now
drawing to a close he has followed the
life of Columbia river salmon catcher,
and he is not at all pleased with the luck
he has met with.
He has struck a scheme, which, If
successful in carrying 1t out, will bring
him, he thinks, fame and fortune.
Nicholas intends going from Astoria to
San F'rlncisco in an open fishing boat.
His object is simply to make money,
and he talks as If the undertaking was
as simple and easy as rowing a boat
across a smooth lake, instead of being
fraught with all manner of danger and
the chances ten to one against him.
Nicholas will start on this hazardous
and what many will call foolhardy
journey, on August II, the day following
the close of the fishing season. His boat
is being fitted out in an old and unused
buildings on the waterfront, and the bold
Voyager is somewhat timid about allow
ing any one in to see 1t.
II will be ready in a few days" said
are curious about looking at the boat
they will be given an opportunity
A short incident in the history of this
man may be interesting reading to many
people at the present time About five
years ugo, Nicholas in company with
four others, left San Francisco for a
fishing cruise in the little saiEng boat,
Samson. When in the vicinity of PIT
Bonita a storm came up suddenly and the
little boat was upset ALI were drowned
but Antoine Nicholas. He swan to the
rocks on the point, at which place,
without a stitch of clothing on, he chung
for six hours. His cries for help were
heard, but owing to the roughness of
the weather and the dangerous rocks
which abound near the point, aid could
not be sent him. Word was sent TO San
Francisco informing the people there of
the mans perilous position.
Soon after the tug Relief was engaged
by Mr.. Hearst, of the Examiner, and
started to the rescue. Arriving at the
Place a dozen or more attempts were
made to throw a line to the man on the
rocks. The breakers were dashing over
hmm and it looked as If he would lose his
hold every minute.
One of the Examiner representatives
volunteered to SWIM TO where the now
benumbed man was. A rope was tied
around his body. He plunged into the
water and at the risk of his own life
succeeded in getting a rope to Nicholas,
who just had strength enough left to
put the loop around his body. Shortly
after both were landed safely on the Re-
lief.
Nicho.as was a well known water |
frontier of San Francisco, and his narrow
escape from being dashed to death |
against the rocks of the dangerous point |
and the long statements published in the
papers, particularly the Examiner, to
whose prompt action he owes his life,
made him for several weeks the hero of
the hour.
The remarkable escape he had at that
time would have been enough to pre-
vent most men from ever again going
out In frail craft. Nicholas is of
different nature though, and is a strong
believer in the old saying, that some
men were never born to be drowned"
Mr. Nicholas is a pleasant person 10
ak to-; about 81 years of age, and Il
slance at his features will convince any
me that what he sets out to do will be
at all hazards.
He slid yesterday that he had tried to
Ieep the matter quiet until he started,
)ut now that the newspapers had been
made aware of his Intentions there was
scarcely any use of trying to keep 1t a
secret
A visit was then made to where he
s fitting out his craft, which is an ordin-
ry fishing boat, and with one or two
just like hundreds of other
yoats seen on the river every day.
When asked how long 1t would take
al Nl,1 NYtTN Ia cd ~ hA /
lad no idea, but as to the success of
he bold undertaking he seems 60 have
10 doubt.
When he reaches San Francisco, Nichol-
IS says that the boat win be placed oA
exhibition, and it is from the proceeds of
his that he expects to realize considera-
Die money TO pay him for the daring ad-
of 500 mile ride on the ocean in
IN open fishing boat.