Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-04-30
UNKNOWN HERO.
CONTINUED from Page one)

i Pc
and strong swimmers. Commanding
the smaller lads to cling TO the Sizes
of the craft which was now aiihos'
punwaIes level with the tide, Wymah
and Mitchell sprang into the river,
seizing the stern and bow ends OF the
boat to aid in keeping them above Wa
ter.
Twice the boat rolled and ahipped
more water and each time one OIL 'ie
smaller lads went over the side Hto
the river Wyrnan and mitchell eacH
time lifted the boy back into the Croft
encouraged all to hang on and mane
frantic efforts to guide the craft TO-
ward the shore. Wyman ana Mitche'.
became exhausted in G. short space Vi
time and finally We're compelled 10 iehn
their efforts solely in the direction OF
keeping the>sunlsen craft right size up
and the smaller boys inside. SwiltIy tile
endangered youngsters drlfted toWara
the Shawmut dam. Wyman ana MIL
chell were now too much exhausted 20
attempt to make the shore to save
their own lives and it appeared put
matter Of a very few minutes before
the whole five would be under water
for good and all.
Of course the boys raised their
voices in the hope of attracting atten-
ton on the shores, but as far as they
could see no one had heard their
cries. A stranger, who was walking
On the tracks of the Maine Central be-
low Good Will farm, had witnessed
the accident to the boat. He must nave
at once Invested himself of coat. vest
and shoes and gone into the water. Tor
when the boat had drifted nearly
f-milc the boys We're surprised To
hear voice close to them saying:
Hang tough, lads, and we will make
shore yet"
The stranger came from upriver. He
was swimming with the tide and max
ing swift pace toward them. Reaching
the bow of the boat the stranger
seized the rope used as a painter and,
twisting this around one arm near the
shoulder, he said
Now, you chaps stop your yelling
and save your breath, for you may
need it. JUST hang on lightly, just
enough to keep inside and you two
keep the old thing right side up
With this the stranger began an eX-
pertinent which proved him well ac-
uuainted with the water and to what
purposes it can be put. Swinging the
end of the boat against the current on
one quarter the man simply put forth
sufficient effort to keep the craft in
that position and this caused the out
fit to wear toward the shore. He thus
shaped the course, making water do
what sailors would make the wind do,
for the big point which sets out into
the river a, mile or SO above Shawmut
dam. He didn't quite make the point,
but as he passed it his momentum was
sufficient to carry him into the eddy
formed by the point and then it was
much easier.
When the whole outfit had landed,
the youngsters were just able to crawl
upon the bank and throw themselves
down in condition of almost complete
exhaustion. The stranger was in the
Same fix. Exhausted and chilled thor
oughly the stranger and the boys lay
upon the ground which by reason of
being very moist was but little warm
err than the river. The smaller of the
boys cried bitterly. The larger Of the
boys were solicitous regarding the
condition of their savior. Women had
seen the struggle IN the water DIS Tie
boat approached the shore and men
were soon on hand. When the stranger
had been given dry clothing and the
boys had been well rubbed down, it
was discovered that Shawmut dam
was but half mile away.
All hands were cared for by Mr. and
Mrs. William Luce and when the boys
recovered their breath and dried cloth
ing and the stranger had partaken of
refreshments, the former were sent to
their several homes little late for
supper and the latter started for "the
whole State of Maine" as he declared.
The stranger was rather better
dressed than the ordinary wanderer
and his manners, except when he con-
signed questioners to the hot place.
were those of a man who had seen bet
ter days. When the boys departed for
homo the stranger said to them:
"Just tell your paps and marms that
President Roosevelt played Washing
ton on the Delaware just as the sun
went down."