Semi-weekly independent. (Plymouth, Marshall County, Ind.) 1895-1897, 1895-12-21
FERRIED ON a POLE.
Novel Feat Performed by an Aged
Lumberman i'll Maine.

Although John CuSack, ex-lumber-
man of Moose Island, in EOrenead
lake, is now 90 years of age, he has not
lost his deXter.ty in executing some Of
the difficult featS in log walking that
made his name famous on the west
branch OF the PenObScOt for many
years. He was in FoXcroft last Satur-
day and, in recounting some of his past
exploits in the office of the exchange
hotel, was bantered by some of the
boys, who doubted that he could do all
ne said he could The old man was
game and the upshot of the matter was
that bet between him and Sam San
ford, the liyeryman, that he would that
afternoon cross the Piscataquis river
with no other support than Il stick so
small that, rested upon his wrist, he
could hold it cut at arms length. The
fact that the day was chilly and the
water running almost ice-c0ld in the
river was not, to Mr. Cusack's mind,
q circumstance worth taking into ac-
count.
The word quickly passed about the
village Of what was TO be attempted
and at 4 O'Clock, the hour set for the
trial, the banks Of the river above the
mill-dam were lined with spectator
Mr.. CuSack appeared on time, carry
ing long pikepole, which was to serve
him as balancing pole and propeller,
and a bundle containing Il checked
OF rl,a S-,i r.r drill
his substitute for professional tights.
The stick upon which he was to ride
was upon the bank, a binding pole
such as is used in securing a load Of
hay upon cart. 1t was the trunk Of
q spruce sapling, fifteen feet long, Of
four inches diameter at the butt, and it
weighed about thirty-five pounds.
Altered in his performing costume
and in his stocking feet. Mr.. Cusack
Launched his stick. pushed it out to
deep water and with Il quick spring
Landed on it at n point six feet from
the butt, where 10 perched as securely
as rope walker upon Il tight rope. The
end of the stick upon which he rested
sank beneath his weight until the wat
er was breast high TO him, while the
forward and smaller end rose from the
water, pointing like Il finger mark to
the opposite shore. Using the pike
pole, held by both hands in the middle
as double oar, the old man, with q
forward mOtiOn, ScoOped himself along
at no small rate toward the further
f,,1I lAnn
ready to rescue him in case Of mis-
chance. There was no occasion for
their services in his behalf. The dis
lance was POO yards, but he did not
Slacken stroke as he churned along,
his head and shoulders rising and fall
ing above the chill black waters with
his swift strokes, while he varied the
mOnOtOny of the exercise by an Occa-
SIGNAL whOOp or shouted compliment
to the ladies among the spectators up
on the opposite shore. He crossed the
river in five minutes and landed, fresh
and smiling, amid the applause and
congratulations of the people gathered
there.
On his return TO the starting point,
where the principal crowd was assem-
bled. he gave a further exhibition of
his skill in log riding. Standing upon
she slender submerged stick by skill
fully shifting his balance he brought
thS end up so that he touched il with
his head, and also sat upon the pole
with head and feet above the surface.
After his return to the hotel he refused
all stimulantS except a comforting
bowl of ginger tea pressed upon him
by the landlord, and has since shown
no i'll effect whatever from his recent
exertion and the severe exposure he I'M
derwent He has offered TO repeat the
performance this week on a similar
wager.-FOXcroft, Me-, letter TO the
New York Sun.
HOrSelesS CRrriaUeS