The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-02-12
A CURIOUS ORDEAL
PLIGHT Of a Man Who Almost Felt.
Death Touch Him.
IN A VAT OF BOILING WATER.

UV " Vt l. VIM 6sve
His Vivid Story Of His Sensations -
Hs Tumbled Helpless On His Back
on . Bale Of Raw Silk In the sssth-
ing Liquid and His Tardy Rescue.
A man who Is now at the head Of one
Of the largest establishments for dye
ing silks in this country tells a story Of
a strange and thrilling adventure that
he passed through when he was still
only the superintendent Of the "boiling
rcom."
"Silk." he says In telling the story.
has been the means Of my living. and
once it saved my life. Have you ever
been in a room where they boil the raw
silk? It's a hot. steamfng place. with
great bubbling watts that are sunk to a
level with the floor. The raw silk. In
bales. all fluffy and sticky. in on
rolling trucks and is dumped into the
watts. The mass has to be stirred about
a good deal before 1t gets soaked
though and goes under.
JuSL UclOIc luC lOVu uOu OuC u0y
a truck came in with two bales on 1t.
"'Dump them into No. 6 vat l told
the men. I'll stir them IL you fellows
want to go to dinner.
"When they had gone l began to look
around for the stirring fork. l couldn't
find 1t anywhere. 'Confound Bill! I
said to myself. 'He loses everything
II had hardly got the words out Of
my mouth when my foot went OF the
edge of the vat. l felt myself falling.
and | was seized with the full convic-
ton Of death.
II had time to think over just how
terribly hot the boiling water would
feel and to wonder how much Of me
would be left when the men came back
from dinner. Then I felt myself land
fiat on my back on the mass of floating
silk.
ITO this day I can see the very look
Of the old smoky roof a I lay on the
island of silk with the boiling water on
all sides. 1t was horribly hot there.
The perspiration started out all over
me, and l felt that l must move.
First, however. I shouted as loudly
as I could. When no one answered I
cautiously tried to tut on my side.
The bale of fiber began slowly to roll
over. Nearly %paralyzed with terror. I
threw out one arm. 1t was just enough
change In balance. I felt the rolling
motion stop. Then l knew 1t wouldn't
do to move I lay On my back. poised
on the middle Of the bale, and walled
for help. After a minute or two l be-
gan to realize that the silk was slowly
sinking into the vat.
You could hardly notice the motion.
At first l could look out Of the corner
Of my eye and see the edge Of vat No
8. A little later. when, l looked again,
1t vas out OF my line Of vision. I
couldn't o without having the bale
roll over. and IL | remained still I
would 20 down inch by inch into the
scalding water below.
II can remember that | became u
little hystericai. It's funny what tricks
the mind plays.
".This is dyeing with a vengeance
/ said aloud. and ] even laughed as
said it.
1T was growing hotter. Steam had
begun to p%ercolate through the silk.
and ! was wet through with the sti-
fling clouds that rose from the Jul
face of the water. ! had no idea Of
time. By and by. however. some m
answered my shouts. The door opened
and two men came running across the
room.
"'Get a pole!' shouted one.
II knew that would be fatal; tho
slightest push and l would roll over
into the steaming stew.
Boys cried l.. don't touch me or
it will be all over: One Of you turn
off the feed pipe. Let the other man
go down the ladder. The pipe that
empties this vat Is on the left. Turn
it on-full. DO it quick!!'
Il could heal the chug. chug Of the
steam being cut off from the vat. A
moment later l could see the wet rim
that broadened round the edges, and l
knew the water was falling. It took
half an hour to empty No. 6. For
awhile the two men ran round like ex-
cited June bugs. Then they got a rope
and sat Oh the edge Of the vat watch
ing me with great staring eyes.
LAS the water ran out the silk sank
now on one side. now on the othc
Once 1t started to roll. Both the n:"i
grunted and sat up very straight. ST.. l.
denly one Of them cried out:
There's the bottom!
II felt the mass of silk settle against
something. heard the last water
gulp as it ran out. Then faimt"I
away.'-Youth's Companion.