New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20
4 RACE TO SAVE LIFE.
Old Fisherman Tells of FiUe-MiLe
Run an Sand.

Wexford, Mass. Dec 10 (SpeciaD.-Travellers
to the island OF Nantucket attracted soon after
leaving Cottage City by a lighthouse and its at
tendant double dwelling house a lonely point
miles from any other human habitation. BY night
the lighthouse is transformed into twnkling re-
volving light giving flashes of red and white to
warn and guide the many mariners who pass that
way II is the first lighthouse Marthas Vine
yard TO be seen when one is making the trip from
the East TO New-York by way Of Vineyard and
Long Island sounds and marks one end of the
former body of water, as the great Gay HEAD
light. also n red and white flashing light marks
the other end
The first named lighthouse is situated on the
extreme end of Cape Pogue. which is the eastern
end OF the island OF Martha's Vineyard 1t is also
the outermost point of Chappaquiddick peninsula
at present The end of this long of land,
which Is five miles Ions, curves around and almost
unites with the island again the opening being
about two hundred feet wide This forms a ma g
ninceat salt water lake, almost landlocked, when
is an ideal place for sailing. boating and bathing
The peninsula OF Chappaquiddick is sometimes
an island although at present this is not the
case 1t forms the outer boundary OF the beau
tiful haTbor Of the town Of EdSartoTn, whlch Is a
busy little fishing community, and when Chappa-
quddick is island the opening gives a short cut
to the fishing grounds outside. Many years ago
the government spent a large sum of money to cut
an opening. A dredge placed there ana gang
Of men worked all one summer cutting and deepen
ing the channel. The fishermen were happy but
their happiness do not last long. In big storm
one winters night the opening closed up enureIy'
much TO the discomfort of the boatmen, who were
compelled to go five miles further before reaching
the fishing grounds 1t remained this way for
number Of years. and then suddenly as 1t closed
it opened again That several years ago on
another winters night About ten years ago this
opening closed again. making ChappaquiddicK a
peninsula. instead of an island.
The end of Cape Pogue is a broad plateau OF
large number OF and the inha bitants or the
peninsulas use this tract excellent pasture land
flo
turned loose after being branded. These cattle
with sheep are left there all summer, and then IN
the there is a gathering of the clans ana
the animals sorted and driven home for the
winter. The cape is slowly washing away The
lighthouse has been moved back several times and
where it stood fifty years ago is q quarter of
mile or more in the water.
Between the lighthouse and the mainland of the
peninsula is a stretch of narrow sand five miles
long It is the only approach by land to the light
house and it is almost impossible except by foot
and that means Of locomotion is anything out
pleasant.
About fifty years ago Daniel Smith became keeper
Of the lighthouse at Cape Pogue, and remained as
such for several years. He had family consisting
OF wife and six children. His eldest son, William
who ten years old at the time. had thrilling
experience one hot July day soon after the family
moved to the desolate spot He is now fisherman
at EdGartown. Marthas Vineyard. and he never
tires of telling the story.
fisherman one day last summer, he sat pile
Of city people around him.. and pointed to the
solitary lighthouse three miles across the harbor
over which IL stands guard Vel we WASH !;
There was six of US young ones there, ana we nad
lively times sometimes. you better believe. we
never thought of being lonesome. The way we kids
around that cape in and out of the water,
was a caution It's wonder we werent all Killed a
hundred times, / had mighty narrow escape
and so did cousin OF ours one day. III tell you
AS I was saving. we had cousin named Susan a
Macy. who lived on Nantucket. She had been
a5a 10 %a ana a s g gS om one 6S Which
is about thirty miles to the southland and brought
3 her 70 back tine the Snd o the s We Bad 99
times for few days Showing Susan all around the
Edeartown. and we went bathing half a dozen
Everything went well until the fourth day" the
old salt continued, That was one Friday, as
five miles up the cape. For some reason, l don't
boat bI he TsV of the pond leaving the small
boat fastened the outside Of the cape.
We'll children amused ourselves in a va
shore where we spied the boat There was about
ten feet Of rope on her and we took turns pushing
Then the child in the boat you'd pull her in again
Susan's turn again. She was always little dare
devil ana she said she Vas g2ng to Tnc9 the the
not TO do il but she managed to unfasten the
rope ana gave a gentle push Inc shore MAS 00io
found was my head. had never learned to
swim. but managed to get to shore safely, though
Susan thought il was great fun until she saw
beginning slowly get further and
further from shore. Then she became frightened
oase to kR e mother TO fO SO ter Of e
away. She rushed down TO the shore and yelled
10 Susan to sit perfectly still and we would get
have been nearly half mile OF shore. Mother was
woman OF 5000 sense; ana, tnougn her race WIS
she tu5Ted to me and said: .r,,,,
saws she, there only one thing 10 be gone. You
must run down to Peases Grove and tell the men
folk. It's good fye-nlle run over the not SAND
life. and may God bless and help you. my boy
would man the life saving boat near the head OF
the CAPE and that she would take the spyglass and
TO give the life savers their bearings. if they
: so I started off my long down the beach
was bareIooted. and the day was hot one, and
the sand burned my feet terribly, can tell you
looked out TO see if I could see Susan. At first
could see the little boat but soon lost sight OF II
entirely. That made me redouble my efforts and
I sped on. The last part Of my run is blank in
my mind. I remember when passed the little
lighthouse and the head Of the cape. That's the
last thing remember.
picnickers We're in the midst OF the dinner under
the pines they startled by a bedraggled look
drifting out to sea ard falling IN a dead faint
There grand rush for the lifeboat, and strong
oars Nv aPpaTe9tv nfeess form Was tak to
aboard ard the men started back to the lighthouse
from mother. FOR no sight Of Susan could be seen
After quick row the lifeboat reached the light
house, and mother pointed out a tiny speck about
fifteen miles off shore slowly drifting toward the
lay. the Hfeboat was headed out to After a
long row the little boat was drawing nearer. but
labors were all in vain, but the big boat pulled
alongside her PROSTATE form was seen In the bot
father seized the girl, and all overjoyed to
find she was only asleep"