Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1941-02-06

nately he made his way along the
coast and happened to land at the
only safe place for miles around
Even then wave after wave struck
him and finally he was hurled with
great force upon the beach.
Exhausted and in a dazed condi
ton, he could scarcely walk and
make his way. His rubber suit had
withstood the severe test. While
standing and gazing around on the
beach he was observed by a coast
guard man who was so badly scared
by the strange sight that he took it
to be some kind of an evil spirit
The guardsman was finally convinc-
ed that it was a human being and
Boyton was given all necessary as
sistance. After little rest he went
Up to Dublin, where he was receiv-
ed by an excited and enthusiastic
populace.
This, his trial feat spread like
wildfire, and he was introduced to
all Europe. A great number of voy-
ages followed. In about a year he
returned to the United States for
rest and recuperation. But the
temptation to feel American waters
was so strong that he made run
from Alton. H., on the Mississippi,
tc ST. Louis. Mo-, being II hours
in heavy field of ice with the
thermometer below zero the entire
trip. A little later he shot the falls
of the Ohio at Louisville, Ky, amid
great enthusiasm and excitement.
In this brief account, we are com
PEELED to skip much that is inter
esting. On one of the far west riv-
ers he was shot at three times, once
by a hunter and twice by the In
Gians In 1876 he went back to
Europe and made a voyage to Zuy-
der Zee. He then descended the
Danube from Lentz, Austria, to
Budapest, Hungary, a distance of
400 miles, in six days. This trip
nearly cost him his life. He went
to sleep while in the water and was
drawn into a strong current and
was awakened to find himself suck
ed under the paddles of huge wa
ter wheel that ran mill He was
tossed into the eddy behind the mill
with a bad cut on his head, leaving
a scar on his temple for all time
The miller heard his cry and threw
a rope, but when he saw the rubber
clad figure, he let go the rope and
ran for dear life, thinking it was
an evil spirit after him. The unfor-
tunate man dropped back into the
current in a semi-conscious condi-
tion until he was picked up by a
boats crew and taken to a fortress
where he was cared for until he
could resume his Journey
At another time, when he was
lake in Italy, five men
went out in a row-boat to see him
when sudden squall came up and
their boat capsized and their lives
we're imperiled. Boyton used his ut
most efforts-he could save but
hree. the other two sank before he !
'ould reach them For this gallant |
lct he received the life-saving medal |
If the Italian government.
Among his numerous voyages, he |
made one down the Rhine and had |
most marvellous escape from a
rightful death. 1t was near the
rontier of France, at Syssel. Off
;ers had stretched network of |
main lNll VI uOOho dCTOSS tuG
liver for the purpose of catching
,ontraband goods which the snug
,lers of Geneva would float down at
light. AS Capt. Boyton approached
he little frontier village he noticed
he utmost excitement among the
zig crowd of people assembled along
he banks. From the wild gesticu-
ations he could see that they were
houting, but took it that they we're
,iving him a welcome, and he kept
IN going. As he drew nearer he
,ould see that they were motioning
or him TO stop, but that was i'm
possible, on account of the swift
urrent ct this place Guards then
brew their coats and ran and be-
AN turning large cranks, and in
noment Boyton saw the glistening
iooks rise out Of the water, and he
'assed under with the bottom row
# hooks, almost in his face. he shot
eneatE to the intense relief OF the
xcited people. Had the guards not
een quick to act, he would have
cen literally torn to shreds on the
errible hooks, as the current here
fas running IL miles an hour. This
,as in 1877.
1t was seven years afterward
hat we met him at the head Of the