Arizona republican., 1909-12-29
AN EXCITING sW|MAWAY IN THE ARIZONA CANAL A VOYAGE FROM THE CAVE CREEK ROAD TO CENTER. The Experience of An Invalid Who Was Humane Rather Than
 Cautious.

A Spokane citizen who has been in the valley for the last three months made up his mind last Monday that he would remain. He comes from part of Washington where irrigation is necessary. but he is now impressed by the superiority of the Salt River valley irrigation systems over those of the northwest There is a greater diversity of animal life in rfle canals of this region.
 The Spokane citizen went out from the offices of the Southwestern Real ty company to look at the ranch of Architect w. R. Norton, just north Of the Arizona canal. When he drove on the bridge across the canal he paused in amaZement; he saw some thing that had never been seen in canal in his part of the country.
 A team of horses hitched to spring wagon was wedged under the bridge. with their noses above the rushing water. The wagon was part ly afloat There was woman's cloak in it and several other articles that seemed to be parts of the outer apparel of child. The Spokane citizen began looking about for the sodden corpses. but could not find them. He next directed his attention toward the horses He summoned help and in a short time a dozen men were on the scene. all members of committee on ways and means of eNtricating the horses.
 While they were rejecting one plan as impracticable and taking up new
  eXcitedly toward them. along the bank of the canal. As he approached it was deduced by the Spokane man. who is a kind of Sherlock Holmes. that the stranger had lately been in the water. The fluid was running in little Niagaras from his heavy over coat, the pockets of which were yet full and dripping. As the stranger came up he claimed the team and re- lated q story of exciting adventure within the last half hour.
 He said he had been spending the summer and fall at Cave Creek. where he had intended to remain all winter. He was an invalid; the weather had become so wintry there. and he had begun feeling worse. so that he had resolved to come to Phoenix for his health.
 Arriving at the Cave Creek cross ing of the canal just half mile east of the point on Center street where the Spokane citizen made his as founding discovery. the invalid from Cave Creek stopped to let his horses drink. He took the bits out of their mouths in order that they could drink more fluently, for the invalid is a hu- mane rather than cautious man.
 Just then the expected happened: something frightened the horses and they were off like q shot. or rather. like q duck. Their heads happened to be pointed down the canal. and they did nXt take the time to turn them. The launching was a success. though half the time on the voyage down the canal the wagon was afloat and half uhe time aground
 When the horses started, the wife of the invalid began to get out. but before she could make her escape the wagon was surrounded by wild waste of water She had let herself down over the tailboard of the wagon just as she struck deep water: she was afraid to let go, so she trailed the wagon, afloat
 The invalid himself was running along the bank trying to keep up. Suddenly the wagon gave lurch. and the woman was shaken loose. and at once disappeared from view. The invalid, who had by this time reached the scene of the catastrophe. without stopping to remove his heavy over coat. plunged in and fished his wife out. She was already unconscious. but he rolled her along the bank un- til she showed signs of life. when he set out in search of his swimaway team
 But before this story was told by the invalid, the horses were released from their uncomfortable position. Neither had been injured The invalid went away, thankful that things were no worse He expressed a fear. though, that his experiences of the morning would derange his plans for the recovery of his health in the dry pure climate of the Salt River valley.
 The Spokane citizen at once made up his mind fthat he would buy ranch along the canal. where the dull monotony of rural existence is now and then relieved by interest. and even excitement