The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-02-04
SAVED FROM THE QUICKsANDs.
PerIlous Adventure of James Wilson
I'm the snOhomiSh River.

Everett, Feb, 3.-Special-A most thrill
ing experience and a rescue in the face
of a slow death by drowning happened
few miles above Everett one day last
week To fully understand the partiulars
of the affair few facts must be stated
as a preliminary to the story. The steamer
Florence Henry. Capt. ]. z. Fairbairn,
master. is engaged in towing logs from
Cherry Valley to Priest point. on the Sno-
homish river. Coming down stream the
other day il was necessary to make
landing and tie up the raft 10 save run
ming against the incoming tide. II was be-
tween and o'clock In the afternoon. "A
the raft drew up near the bank James Will
son, an old-time river man of twelve years
experience. and one of the best loggers
on the river. grasping a line jumped ashore
to make fast to a tree. He landed in wa
ter nearly up to his waist and failed TO
reach the tree. The raft and steamer
glded on. the crew intent on effecting the
landing, which wns made half mile be-
low. Wilson not showing up. the steamer
went back after him. where he was found
fast in a bed Of quicksand. with the waters
OF the river tide then nearly up to his arm
pits The situation was grave and crit
ical All efforts to move the imperilled
man was fruitless. and the time in which
anything could be done was reduced TO A
few minutes II seemed as if the unfor-
tunate man was doomed TO see the hungry
waters rise about him and claim him for
their own.
Meantime the officers and crew. full OF
sympathy for their comrade, stood by to
make every effort TO cheer and save him.
Ii was certain that the tide would rise
nearly a foot above his head before the
water would begin 10 recede. What could
be done? Like an inspiration. In the midst
of the awful situation, came the plan OF res
cue small iron pipe about four feet in
length was brought from the boat and
placed I'm Wilson'S mouth. He could use
his arms TO steady IT. Then oakum was
used TO cover his mouth around the pipe,
and over the oakum placed cover
ing of white lead. making II water tight.
The mans nostrils and ears were plugged
ND in like manner with oakum and white
lead. IL was found that he could breathe
freely through the pipe, and thus equipped.
Wilson. relieved of fear and confident OF his
release i'm a short time. calmly waited the
rising of the tide. which finally covered
his head TO the depth OF six or eight inches.
His companions stood by him faithfully In
a small boat and IL was not more than about
three-quarters OF an hour, although II
seemed an age. when the waters had re-
coded far enough 10 let his head out Of wa
ter and he could feel that the crisis was
passed When the tide had gone out suf-
ficientlv to uncover the fiat. willing hands
soon did the work of shoveling the sand
away and amid general rejoicing Wilson
was taken safely aboard the steamer, ap-
parentlv none the worse for his thrilling
adventure But he has had enough OF
logging and steamboating. He has quit
the river 10 get married and settle down
on his ranch near Snohomish. The crew or
the Florence Henry, in addition 20 the mas
ter Can't Fairhairn, consists Of Capt.
George Ill., pilot; Mr.. Hinderer, engineer.
and Mr. Ida, mate The story Is unique
i'm the marine incidents Of the waters and
tributaries of Puget sound. but its verac-
ity will be fully vouched for by Capt. Fair
BARN. from whose lips the representative
Of the -Tntelligencer received IT, and
by the other members Of the crew. not to
mention the man most concerned. James
Wilson himself.