The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-04-30

How Walter c. Rockwell. a Gallaudet
deaf-mute. rescued Miss Maud Ellington.
another student Of Gauaudet College,
from "Bottomless Pit Rapids, az Great
Falls. month ago. came out last night,
when the hero was presented with a
gold medal in the college chapel under
the auspices OF the literary society.
Miss Ellington and her fanny were
present
Dr. Draper. a member Of the faculty.
delivered the presentation speech and
pinned the medal on the breast OF Rock
well amid the plaudits OF the assemblage
The scene was Impressive. as there was
not sound TO break the silence. Or.
Draper delivering the speech in the Ian
guage OF deaf-mutes
Rockwell is seventeen years old. HIS
home IS In Hartford Conn. lie is strong.
handsome. and athletic. Miss Ellington
is the daughter OF Hunter l. Ellington.
Of lu0 Sixth street northeast She is
twenty years old, pretty and accom-
plished and a leader among tie girls at
the college. She and Rockwell have been
friends since he entered the school
story Reads Like Romance.
The story Of the daring rescue al Great
Fails reads more like a chapter from a
novel Of romance than an incident I'm the
everyday life OF boy and sir. attending
college.
II has been a custom at Gal.audot for
years for the boys 20 enjoy an annual
outing at Great Falls in the Easter holi-
DAYS. On March . last several score took
tents, baskets Of lunch, and outing cloth
ing 20 their camping grounds within sound
NJ ,he roar Of the Calls rney enjoyed a
stag party until noon. when a party Of
girls with relatives visited the camp
Miss Ellington was accompanied by her
father and mother. Luncheon was served
on a green. and then the party separated
into groups. Miss Ellington and Rock
well wandered away 20 watch the swirling
water dashins over the falls
The girl was enraptured. and persuaded
Rockwell % accompany her down the rock
10 the brink Of the water. He carried a
coil Of rope In his hand with which he had
been pulling her UP from point 70 point
along the perilous path winding I'm and
out among the b0wlders.
II he had left the rope IN his tent. IT is
probable both boy and girl would have
gone 20 their death in the whirlpool be-
meath the falls known 20 fishermen as
the 'BottomIess Pit" II is a tradition in
the country contiguous 70 the falls that
no one has ever succeeded in getting
bottom with rope, wire, or pole in the
whirlpool
Hold Hands Amid PeriIs.
Miss Ellington made her way cautiously
from rock TO rock, holding RockwelVs
hand. The roar Of the tumbling waters
drowned every sound. She made her way
nearer and nearer 20 the water and finally
attained a position on a ledge over the
rapids Standing on the rock, She looked
down at the foam
Rockwell was standing a few feet be-
hind her. Suddenly she turned and he
saw a look Of terror on her face Whether
she was dizzy or frightened he did not
know, but she threw up her hands and
plunged from the moss-cOvered rock into
the rapids.
Several boys and girls watching the
couple at the waters edge from points
high above, saw Miss Ellington caught
in the suction and disappear. Rockwell
seemed dazed. He watched the surface
of the water for several seconds. Then
he caught a glimpse OF Miss Edington's
dress. She was being carried down
stream at great speed. Rockwell started
TO the rescue. leaping from rock 10 rock.
keeping his eyes on the water He saw
Miss Ellington caught in a small whirl-
pool, dragged from the main current, /
which was carrying her to certain deat1
against some jagged rocks. and sucked
beneath a ledge at the base Of n preci- {
pice thirty feet high.
Braves the Mad Rapids.
He was separated from the spot where
the girl disappeared by twenty feet Of
rapids. The only way TO reach her was
TO go through the water He could not
descend the precipice. Tying one end of /
the rope to a jagged point Of rock. he
wrapped the other end about his wrist
and plunged overheard.
To those Watching the drama from the /
rocks above these seemed nothing but
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