The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-05-16

SPECIAL Dispatch 90 The Post Intelligencer
TRAIL. b. c., May ia special to the
Record says.
The steamer Lytton was engaged in life
saving last night Joe Murray was res
cIed after he had been for more than five
hours clinging 20 a rock In the dangerous
rapids Just above where Murphy creek
empties into the Columbia
At s.3a last night workman employed
BY Winters. Parsons & Boomer. eontrac-
tors constructing the Robson branch of the
G. a W. railway. brought word 70 Con-
stable j. w Dewitt that three men were
coming down the river on q raft. when
they were wrecked on a reef about six
miles up the river; that while two Of them
went down. one was stili clinging 10 the
rocks
Capt. Dewitt instructed him to return
fmnesia tely and make a beacon FIRE, and
set about TO save the mans life. He went
first - the Trail. but she had forty tons
Of ore aboard and would have 10 line np.
which would consume two hours. TIE Of
hcers and crew. however. offered 70 take
rowb5ats and 60 to the rescue. but this
would have been a most difficult trip TO
make. so he went TO the home of Capt.
Short. of the Lytton. and called aim from
bed The captain responded promptly and
ordere1 the steam up on his boat
At 1880 the big stern wheel commences
to throw the water Besides the regular
crew; Capt. ForseIund and Purser Shields.
VIM. Winters and the Record representa-
tive were aboard.
AT Hos the e0o-candie searonlight of
the Lytton told those on board that there
was still hope As the fash of the great
light swung round there he stood. midst
the swirl and spray of the fearful cata-
racf.
A landing was made a quarter of a mile
above and the lifeboat launched. The or
ders from the captain were 10 head up
stream. ride the waves and drop into the
eddy behind the rocks. but the current
was too swift In q moment the boat was
carried far below. The crew pulled hard
upon the oars Dut could make no head
way The Lytton had in the meantime
dropped back, 10 be in readiness for an
emergency. The iifeboat had shipped
great deal of water. and all effort was
useless. A return to the steamer was
made and the water baiied out.
Again they started. This time Capt.
Ferseland was in the stern and Alex Nc
Lehman, mate and Anton Krogan. fire.
man OF the Lytton, were at the oars. This
time the orders from Capt. Short were TO
make the other shore and drop back into
the eddy from that side. The point of
vantage was soon reached. The boat
swung into the swift current and was car
IltQ fGpiuty 0OWn stTtdul. Inc men 0t
the oars pulled with all their might
Gradually the movement of the boat was
slowed down. then 1t seemed TO stand still,
then IL moved up little. then a little
more. and soon IL shot into the eddy. A
shout went Zip from a hundred men on
shore, where the beaeop had been kept
burning. A mighty cheer was returned
from the Lytton.
The long hours of waiting were over.
ha ann is.ls1 pao ants N han a W
had threatened him with death were for
gotten. Every man looking on was CRATE
full.
As the boat left the boiling eddy below
the reef IL was caught in a whirlpool that
spun IL around like a top. but the power
full oarsmen kept their heads and saved
themselves.
Murphy is lumberman employed by
the smelter company at Waterloo camp.
He started down the river on a raft about
sixteen feet long in spite of the warnings
of his companions.