Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-26
WATERLOO BoATMAN SHOOTS
DAM IN EFFORT TO SAVE
DROWNING YOUTH.
BOY CARRIED THRU RAPIDS
WHEN CANOE cAPsIzEs
No Other Help at Hand, Aged Ed
Chapman Steers Boat Over Fall and
Reaches Lad After Rope Had Been
Thrown to Him From Brdse-Many
Witness Brave Deed.

Waterloo, May 26.-What proved to
be one of the most sensational dramas
staged in Waterloo in years. took place
above and below the Cedar river dam
liam Wagner, who resides at 207 Eas-
Eleventh street. was the victim Of the
circumstances which caused the heart
thriller to the many pedestrians who
were in the locality of the river at the
time, while Ed Chapman, proprietor Of
the boat house. was the producer of
the deepest heart felt applause and
cheers heard in this city in years.
Wagner, a young lad, aged 10 years,
purchased new canoe and having
nothing to do in the afternoon he de-
cided to try out the frail craft. OBJ
tanning the canoe from the boat house
just above the dam On the East side
of the river. young Wagner got in and
started padding across the river. about
twenty feet above the steel cable.
which is stretched across the river for
the safety Of boating parties.
down to the cable and grasping one of
the streamers. which run at regular
intervals to the waters edge, he stead
led himself, while he leaned over in
the canoe to obtain different paddle.
Returning to his seat in the stern, he
then attempted to swing the canoe
about facing up stream. The current
proved too strong, however, and uneX-
pectedly the bow of the boat went up
and turned over throwing the Occu-
pant into the river.
Reaching tho dam. the canoe broke
loose from Wagner's grasp and ne
started over the small cataract without
the aid of anything to hold him up.
With feet oustretched he slid across
the boards below the dam. in the pow
er of the swift water, but holding his
nerve and watching every chance for
his recovery.
Rescuer Shoots Dam.
The spectacular, scene then took
place. Reaching the boiling. seeming
water below the dam Young Wagner
went below the surface of the river
and for what seemed like hours TO
those on shore he remained from view.
The swift waters Of the river carried
him rapidly towards the bridge. Just
before reaching that point rope was
dropped, and barely. able to grasp II
tied it around one OF his legs and
yelled to those on the bridge, Il am
all right" se-
The crowd on. the bridge, enc outraged
him with numerous remarks but no
one seemer to make a definite move
to his rescue, and when. 1t seemed
that all attempts at life saving had
been done to no avail, the man of the
hour made his appearance.
Rowing to the middle Of the river
coatless and bareheaded Ed Chap
man attracted the attention Of the
large throng. Far beyond the prime
Of life with grey hair and bent shout
ders, the watchers wondered what
move he would make. 1t was not long
in forthcoming. Slowly squaring the
boat in the river above the cataract he
drifted towards the brink Of what,
without doubt, appeared to be
watery grave.
The boat reached the edge. for one
solitary moment loitered, and then
with a mad rush leaped towards the
roaring rapids. Reaching the boiling
waters below, it disappeared for
minute in the spray and then sprang
to view again a few feet above the
bridge. Amid the round applause from
the watchers and the silent prayer
Of all, he guided the boat to the spot
where Wagner was hanging to the