Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-09-07
A CHAPTER OF ACCIDENTS.
How a Gay Salem Party Faced Both Jol
and Sorrow.

How a Gay Salem Party Faced Both Joy
and Sorrow.
A fishing and camping party left
Salem this season that had some un-
usual experiences. The company was
composed of Hon. John Hughes aud
family, Hon. Geo. Collins and family,
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Hughes and
others. They left Salem August 3, at
6 6o'clock a. M, and first "a hours OF
their trip was marked with unusual
perils. The first bad omen was pass
ing the hill just west of town when
Geo. Collins brake gave way. The
party then proceeded all right as far
Sheridan. From there night drive
was under taken, and shortly after
midnight a traction engine was met
on the road. AS measure of safety
Geo. Collins asked the ladies to get
out and walk while he drove past, but
the remedy proved much worse than
the difficulty. 1t was at this time
that Mrs. Collins met her terrible ac-
cident, stepping off what she supposed
was step in the sidewalk. Instead
Of being a step it proved full fledged
jump-off, and Mrs. Collins was pre-
cipitated about six feet down and out,
when she struck with head and
shoulders upon some rocks. Here the
bank was steep, and Mrs. Collins lit
errlly rolled down twenty feet to the
waters edge and remained uncOn-
scious. This was terrible situation
IN the dead of night, and Frank
Hughes was compelled to return for a
lantern before the unfortunate
woman was relieved. Frank literally
carried her to the top of the bank,
not knowing whether she was
dead or alive. BY tue timely
assistance of the Mesdames
and Misses Hughes with a Ointment
bottle" Mrs. Collins was recussitated,
and by daylight made quite comfort
able and put to sleep. Mrs. Collins
felt well in the morning. and started
to walk, but soon found she was 60
ing ia the wrong direction, in this
respect taking up trait Of her hus-
baud's. The party then rode through
to the toll gate, where Geo. Collins
was pretty well acquainted, and a
'midnight parade" ensued.
Next morning all went o. K, until
John Hughes broke a spring in the
and after this was repaired
all went safely through to the coast.
Here camp was pitched, and the en-
tire party went fishing.
Next morning John Hughes and
Geo. Collins started out in search of
game, and after ten miles tramp re-
turned with an "a lbs. two.spike buck.
They got him to camp warm, as proof
that he hadn't been in cold storage,
and after taking off the felt all hands
enjoyed superb venison. The men
folks tished with their usual luck,
and the venisOn came handy.
Thus the time was spent from day
10 day, their amusement being inter-
Spersed with bathing and all kinds Of
sports, John Hughes demonstrated
hat he wasn't slow, but all hands
,oncede that he tumbled about in the
water like jolly porpoise, and had
is much fun as the rest, setting a
lively example for the rest of the boys.
Geo. Collins, says that in the q
seasons of camping he never had quite
20 much experience as this year.
More serious accidents and trouble of
Ill kinds befell his tribe than ever
known, and If it hadn't been for the
fact that he took an abundance of
religion and other antldotes along he
would never have lived to tell the
,ale. Most of all though, Mrs Collins
genuine grit is what pulled them all
through and if it hadn't been for her
yhe party would surely have had a |
stale time. The family is most CRATE |
'ul to the rest Of the party and all |
heir friends for the excellent care
her while Mrs. Collins was
enjoying the eXcrutiating pain in |
,ident to her severe accident.
Police Court.