Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1914-06-26
BOYS HAVE VERY
NARROW ESCAPE

Four boys. full grown or almost,
had a narrow escape from drown
ing in the Humboldt river at the
bridge last evening about G.3O o.
clock.
Several bcys were swimming at
the bridge. Arthur Lille crossed
from the west bank to the middle
Of the pier of the bridge and rested
there. Norman Bell started to
cross but in the swift current was
sooD exhausted and was apparently
in danger of drowning. Lille
plunged in to his rescue and was
able to help him keep his head
above water, but owing tn the swift
current could not make anp head
way toward reaching the bank. IN
stead of getting closer to the bank
the two boys were carried further
out intne the middle of the stream.
Lille, in his heroic struggle with
his load, trying in vain to reach
the bank, soon became exhausted
and the two boys were carried fur
ther and further down the stream.
Many times they both went under
and there seemed little hope for
them. They were carried down
the stream until they reached the
sandbar where the wagon road used
to cross, at the time the bridge was
butt. Here their feet struck bot
tom and they were able 20 rest a
few seconds and then wade out
with the assistance of their com
panionj who ran in to assist them.
In the meantime Harold Gunnol
who was in the swift current short
distance below the bridge, became
exhausted when within few feet
of the bank and went under two or
three times before anyone could
reach him. Frank Frazier jumped
in to help him and Gunnell grabbed
hold Of him as one drowning will
do and pulled him under. Several
times Frazier came to the surface
the top Of his head showing, but
before he could get his face out of
the water t. get his breath re was
pulled under again.
Here were four boys in the water
at the same tine seriously threaten
ed with drowning. When the SER
iousness of the situation Of Lille
and Bell became apparent calls for
help were made and a crowd soon
congregated on the bridge. Some
one ran to Haskins stable fur rope
and returned with it barely in time
to rescue Gunnell and Frazier with
il.
The Humboldt. is treacherous
river for swimmers, especially dur
ing high water, when the current
are swift and the whirlpools, eddies
ond undercurrents are treacherous.
Since The advent of the white man
in this country it has exacted a
heavy toll of life. and doubtless
before the white man came it had
claimed rfd men for its victims
from time further back than their
legends go.
Not only has large toll of hu-
man life been taken. but many,
very many animals, domestic and
wild animals that were good
swimmers : lost their lives in the
stream. Instances may be recalled
Of a horseman riding into the water
and his mount being unable to
climb out of the water after swim
ming across, on account Of the
steep banks, and swimming along
the bank in search Of a place where
the bank was sloping enough to
allow a landing, until The horse
was exhausted and drowned. In.
stances are numerous Of sattle being
drowned. and there are places
where IT is dangerous for dog to
plunge in to bring out duck be-
cause Of the steep hanks. making II
diffault or impossible for the dog
to get out without help.
No one can say how many beings
have fought In vain for their lives
in the waters Of tho Humboldt, but
II the number of victims could be
known since the time Fremont came
this way, it would be appalling -
Humboldt Star.