The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1909-07-15
A NEAR TRAGEDY
NOTHING TO DRINK, so JOHN
PEARSON WOULDN'T STAY.
Leaped Overheard at Dead of Night,
Fifty Miles From Land, Off the

Delaware Coast.
Look at that ship way over yon-
der" exclaimed John Pearson. as he
stood on the stern of the Frances
Hyde, and pointed out to sea.
The second mate looked to see the
vessel but there was none in sight.
He turned his head back towards
Pearson, but he only saw figure
that disappeared over the boats rail-
ing. Pearson had jumped into the
sea. t~
The incident occurred last Thurs
day night when the schooner Frances
Hyde was fifty miles off the Delaware
coast. The boat was Ell route to
Charleston, and arrived there Sun
day.
1--WE had an awful time with Pear
son." said Capt. Chelsen when he
reached Charleston. 1T was pitch
black night and the sea was full OF
heavy swells. Pearson deliberately
jumped overheard. didn't know
what was the matter with him. 1t
was a terrible heavy sea and we
couldn't lower boat. I thought he
was a gone one, but We got him
out finally"
And why did he jump over
board?" the captain was asked.
1T must have been delirium tre-
mens," replied the captain. II asked
him why he leaped into the water,
and he said that he hadn't been to
sleep for nine consecutive nights, and
that while he was in New York for
one week he drank forty dollars
worth of South Street whiskey.
"And what is South Street whis-
key?" Capt. Chelsen was asked.
They get it on South street in
New York for five cents glass. 1t
must have wood alcohol in it, re-
marked the captain with laugh.
I'VE left New York on the 4th, and
Pearson hadn't had a drop Of liquor
since we left. | think the lack OF
it must have crazed him. If I had
had whiskey on board believe one
drink would have made him all right,
but gave him twenty drops Of laud-
anum to quiet him after we picked
him ND from the water
According to several members OF
the crew, Pearson was in the water
for one hour before he was finally
rescued. The sailor jumped from the
stern of the vessel, which made ii
all the more difficult to save him.
Pearson was a good swimmer and
grabbed the ships log line as II
trailed in the water behind. He tied
this around his neck, and ten or
twelve men ran to the stern OF the
boat to pull Pearson in. Then it was
discovered that Pearson was near
the big propeller and if he were
caught in it he would he instantly
torn TO pieces. Accordingly, one OF
the sailors told the captain OF this
and the propeller was stopped.
Meantime. however. the boat was
tossing from side to side. Heavy
clouds blackencd the skies and big
waves dashed over the boat. Still
Pearson was swinging by his neck
to the log line. Another rope was
thrown out to him, and by some
miracle he caught it. Possibly not
being able to collect himself for the
instant. he tied the rope around his
legs instead of around his chest.
Leanin2 over the boat the men pull
led on the rope, while Chief Engineer
Henry Tweatmayar succeeded II
catching hold of one foot. But the
shoe came of in the engineers hands
and the rope slipped from Pearson
legs and down the man went, head
| foremost.
The great Swells were s:ill pitch
| ing the vessel from side TO siGe. sc
roueh was the sea that little ro"
boat attached to the stern hvits
and at least twenty feet from the wa
ter line, struck Pearson in the head
In the meanwhile the log line was
still around Pearson's neck and tol
fully five minutes the men had been
pulling on it.
Realizing that the rope had slipped
from Pearson's legs, another rope
was lowered and sailor by the name
of ColsOn succeeded IN reaching
Pearson and bringing him TO deck
This was at least forty minutes after
the first rope had slipped from the
mans legs.
Although Pearson had been fight,
ing the waves with all his clothes
on and had received a deep cut III
the back of his neck from the log
line, he was in the best of spirits
when he was pulled on deck.
The boy is back again and all
right, too" said the nervy seaman
dripping from head to foot
Put him in the engine room,
commanded Capt. Chelsen.
I'VE put him in and then latched
the doors on the outside, SAID cap
tain, but would you believe it, the
first thing | knew Pearson had brok'
ON thrnmrh ono of ,hc Windows and