The evening times., 1897-08-03
OUT OF THE MAELsTROM
George Draper Saves His Wife,
Daughter and Himself.
WENTOVER WAPPlNGER FALLS
His Daughter Torn From His Arms
But After He Had SufeIy Got His
Wife to Hand He Plunged I'm Again
and Saved His Child-All Consid.
erably Bruised.

Poughkeepse, Aug. at was George
Draper's beedlessness that led him and his
wife and daughter into this terrible ex-
perience. 1t was his splendid strength
and magnificent courage that brought them
out of it safely. He is a wellto-do far
mer, living at Salt Point. He is about
forty years old, and has that contempt for
natures pow er that comes 10 man who
wres,Ics with IL and overcones it. Else
had he not ventured 50 far down Wappin-
gers Creek.
With Mrs Draper and Peari, who Is
fifteen years old, Draper entered d shiff-
single stroke sent 1T To the iIiiddie OF
the stream. Draper headed downstream.
The creek was swollen with the recent
rains. They sped along smoothly ana
swiftly, taking no heed OF the rapidity
with W bich they were going. MIS- Draper
spoke OF the hard workin pulling back, Out
her husband only smiled The row upstream
ha.i no terrors for him. who could Dend tne
ash oars 10y exerting only half his strength
Suddenly he became CONSCIOUS that the
current was growing stronger, ana theh
he heard the Clashing OF the falls. win
one stroke he turned the skiff half around
and headed IL toward the shore. The
danger came to him like n flash. Then he
put every pound he had Cn the oars. The
boat was broadside TO the current. For
every foot 1t went toward The bank il made
ten feet down stream. His muscles were
no match for the mighty current.
nf
grew louder. more ominous. Draper knew
it was sheer descent of thirty feet. under
ordinary conditions he would have little
fear for himself, bnt the strea IN was now
torrent. and there were his wife and
chld. Draper pulled until 1t seemed thst
the oars must break, and yet he could make
no Roadway.
As the skiff approached the brink of
the falls. Draper reached forth and clasped
his wife and child In his arms. The nose
of the skiff stood out over the water for
moment and then plunged downward.
The man could see boiling waters, white
with anger and their roaring riot sounded
as 1t never had before. Down and down
and down they fell until they struck with
great force. and tons OF water piled on
top OF them, driving them deeper and
and deeper
They were whirled and twisted and
turned about. Draper felt his daughter
being torn from him. Then he clung to his
wife with both arms. A kindly eddy bore
them TO the surface again. Draper drew
a long breath and began to fight. II was
bitter struggle in those rushing, tumhling
waters, but Draper fought them with his
burden. He hurled himself through them
with his great strength, watching the
while for his daughter. He saw her
head bohbing up and down.
lie threw his wife upon the shore, where
she sank exhausted, and then plunged
back into the water for hrs daughter The
swift current had carried her far down the
stream. Then Draper gave thanks that he
had leaned the racing stroke as he shot
through the water Sideways. his one arm
rising above the surface at swift intervals
The father saw the girl sink once and she
was fan cut OF reach. second time she
went down and the curren bore her tSom
him. Then ne gathered every bit Of .,.eiNgth
in h.s powerful body. Her head appeared
again. Just as she was sinking Draper
grasped her hair. Then he rested for 80
much time as a Insn closes his eyes when
the light dazzles him, for he felt a. N his
arms were dropping from their sockets
and his legs were broken There was not
enough air in the world To MI hislunss.
Then he swan for the shore Pearl had
gripped him, and he knew she was no,
dead The mother had half walked ana
half crawled down the bank. but she was
far behind.
when Draper reached the shore his
strength was 40 far spent that hs. could
not yak He climbed and rolled ont Of
the water. Thatlsst struggle was the n,osf
tremendous he tad ever known. Pearl
was unconscious He placed her on the
ground and her mother came To her side
she was too faint and too weak TO give
any aid. and Draper himself did not know
what To do. His first thought was TO get a
doctor.
When he came from the creek the man
thought he was read to die from exhaus
tiOn. The new fearlent him new strength
He started across the country on a run.
lie found physician, who mounted a horse
| and Salloped to where Pearl was lying
She was still unconscious, but restoratives
brought her to her senses. Then all three
Were placed la a wagon and taken home
| All are badly bruised from being throw n
| against the rocks, and from the imDact of
the water. Draper is black and blue from
head to foot.