Year: 1879




Captain Paul Boyton's career, from the time that
he began to grow famous the world over for saving
many lives and for his wonderful and perilous voy
ages, has become familiar to almost every reader of
newspapers and is tale quite as fascinating that
of Robinson Crusoe himself; but 1t is not generally
known that his life previous to that period full
of excitement and characteristic adventure. few
days ago the writer the guest of Captain Boyto
at dinner, and the conversation took very happy
turn in reversion to the days of his boyhood and
early manhood. The style of his narrative is
cinct and pointed and the interest of the listener
never for instant goes astray. His mind seems to
comprehend all the salient incidents at a single
retrospect, and presents them with good deal of
dramatic conception.


HIS AMPHIBIoUs INSTINCT


II was born, said he, ION the goth Of June. 1sls
in Allegheny City. Pa My early life rather wild
one. Ever since could walk around have felt an
irresistible desire to be in the was drawn to
1t all the time. cannot explain it. 1t must be an
instinct born with me. This has caused me to re-
ceive more hckngs suppose. than any other boy in
America Except when the river was frozen over
they were my daily punishment. At the age of six
years could swim the Ohio River at the point
or its formation the junction of the Allegheny and
Monongahela. where it is from three-quarters of
mile to mile in width. The current is heavy and
dangerous My mother suffered untold anxiety on
my account. but in my youthful enthusiasm was
incapable Of realizing of pitying the suspense to
which often subjected her. She found it impos-
sible to keep out of the water and after the
ploit which have just mentioned she formed de-
termination to send far away from the temptation
continually presented by the beautiful rivers
our home My father was at this time engaged in
trading with the Chippewa Indians in the West.
After his return to Pittsburg occasion my
mother persuaded him to take me with him on his
next expedition. If l remained longer at home she
thought l would be certain to lose my life.
SO went. We gone at one time some eight
months and visited great many different bands Of
Indians The country in which they dwelt was then.
you well know. perfect wilderness. Meanwhile
the excitement Of peril which constantly attended
progress did not detract from my aquatic taste. My
father used to have heap OF trouble with me, for
whenever quilted the camp or the wagon train he
generally found distance off in creek or
pond swimming like pollywog or padding around
on q log like turtle.


"On my return to Plttsburg in 1859 my mother was
told of my frequent escapades out West and she at
habit of seeking the water So it was decided to send
to the high school in Pittsburg. was not very
nine o'clock was supposed to cross the Allegheny
River the bridge; but the tempting aspect of the
sparkling current ,.a would generally prove too much
clothes and plunge in. For the rest of the day
could not think Of studies or Of home. Thoughts of
duty when they did return to were accom-.
birchen rod and the "imble slipper. The first life
saving that over did was in the Allegheny River.
under the suspension bridge. opposite the foot
Of St Clair street. side and Of Federal street
was not good swimmer and had missed his footing
and gone down. Without rejecting ut all plunged
after him. but failed to reach him. When rose to the
surface of his arms protrudng from the
water distance OF. dove again, and with sew
sral vigorous strokes got within reach Of him. He lay
the bottom OF the river against huge boulder and
seemed to be hieless had hard work to get him to
the surface and both of were picked up by row.
boat The crowd which had gathered took my cap and
put into it whole silver Twas afraid TO accept
1t, for knew il t discovered In my possession
at home the fact that had been playing truant and
swimming in the river would surely be betrayed.
However, 1t was forced upon me- and went home
feeling like villain and with vivid imaginings OF the
my cap without any idea of how much there was but
fondly believing that there at least millions in
it. The old lady grabbed me and wanted to know
where had got so much money. never was so
frightened in all my life as when she swooped down



eat another time the old lady took all my clothing
away from me and locked me up in an upper story.
She thought that she had certainly secured me then.
i remained quiet for WHILE chewing the bitter cud
of discomfort. was thinking of the splendid half
day OF enjoyment that had been robbed of when my
eye happened to rest old-fashioned bureau
which stood in a corner opened one of the draw
and took out pair of my father incxpressi
In moment got into them. but was almost lost.





chin and tied them carefully about my neck. must
have presented curious spectacle. Cautiously rais-
and slid down lightning rod. Then darted of at
full speed for the river and was rollicking in
my favorte element.


SENT TO COLLEGE,.


IL was taken away from the high school and put
at private one. Tho discipline very strict
and at the end OF the first month rebced l broke
out like volcano, tell you. There boats run
ming from Pittsburg to New Orleans. 1 got a
barge and made the entire voyage of $500 miles.
There from pittsDurg along and they
took an interest in me ana brought me back with
them. Mother thought that was dead. Perhaps
you can imagine the astonishment Of my friends
when l turned up again. Father came home
soon 80 ,n Wsss w,n and him again sent
1 was placed at college in Cambria county PA,
stayed there only short time and then went
Mountains gave the professors a world of trouble
and against their most sacred prohibition, in |
We used to 20 to little lake about ten miles away.
The only study that pursued with any interest or
profit was the science OF navigation.


SEA.
"In 1868 left college and went to New York TO |
enlist in the federal navy. joined the Brooklyn. |
assigned to the steamer Hytranga which departed |
on cruise up the james River, being en,- |
we we were oil the town Of Melville "I and were e
continually under fire. In August rebel |
bomb dislodgcd our engines and rendered the vessel
useless. Was transferred TO the sIoon-of'war ~
Louis and took part in the expedition against Fort |
Fisher, which terminated in tho explosion of General
Buffers freship. I left the navy when the war was
over. sixteen years of age with the rank of yeo-
My father tried to get me to go into business
but was unit for IL. could not lay down INV mind
to It, made several journeys in the West but was
In continuous state of unrest until once more /
10 sea- In 1865 engaged. myself as a diver TO
the New York wrecking and Submarine Company. |
and sailed in the schooner Foam. We were |
equipped with two diving bells and went in
search of treasure. We found very little OF that
however and busted ourselves chiefly in raising car.
goes and anchors aud chains We sailed oil TIN ough |
the West indies. / was soon given important work |
to do, although the youngest diver In the service of
the company. did most of the deep diving, and !
would sometimes 80 down when all tho others re- |
fused. We had very indifferent luck, but enjoyed
the work very much have seen in the deep water |
Of the West Indies many peculiar things. |
and landscapes beautiful as ever human eye |
rested upon. The coral banks in the perfectly clear
element with tho tropical shining down upon |
them, present most wonderful sight. The bottom |
OF the sea IL white snow and multitudcs of brill
antly coored hsh the surface dazzle one eyes,
k,p pf ouIx