Year: 1878




Twelve Hours.


indianapolis Newsl


"'Twas three years ago, yesterday,
remarked Aquilla Jones, jr, talking
with a Nelcs reporter in the comfort
able quarters of the superintendent
OF the post Office, this morning, "that
/ took boat ride, the experience OF
which will last me for a lifetime.
You remember the terrible flood that
swept over the country at that time? ?
Well, it was occasioned by that, and
the ride was on the breast OF the rag
ing Wabash, in frail skiff, contain
ing only myself and brother Charley.
How did it happenl In this way:


"My eldest brother at that time
was living on farm in southern H.
linOis, on the bank OF the Wabash,
near its confluence with the Ohio.
On Thursday morning, after the flood
had subsided in this vicinity, father
received a telegram from Illinois
stating that my brother was in trouble
and danger, and asking bim to send
two OF us down to his assistance.
Charlie and / started at once, over
the Vincennes road, on the first train
out for several days. Superinten-
dent McKenna accompanied us. The
train finally reached Vincennes,
though at one point the track settled
under the weight Of the cars nearly
two feet, and we stood ready to jump
of, should they topple over, as we
expected them to. At Vincennes we
learned that the Cairo and Vincennes
road was washed out for miles In
some places, and that we could not
60 out on it. We stayed over night
but the morning brought no better
news, so we determined to embark
on the Wabash in a skiff and trust
ourselves to that to reach our desti-
nation. At that time the water
spread over the lowlands in Illinois
for miles and the river was filled
with drift wood of all descriptions,
from a bundle of wheat to a dwelling
house. The stream was a raging
torrent bounding along at rate of
speed frightful to see, but which we
thought would soon carry us to our
landing place. We had no idea how
far it was, but had n vague idea that
we would reach brothers before dark.


"By the time we were ready to
start il had become noised about,
through our negotiations for a boat,
that two boys were about to attempt
a boat ride down the river, and a
great crowd gathered on the banks to
see Us off. Judge Pigeon, an old
friend of fathers came down and en-
deavored to dissuade us from our
purpose, but we hadsmade up our
minds to go and would not listen to
his pleading. We had purchased a
skiff about twelve feet long. paying
SO for it, and provided ourselves
with broad -brimmed straw hats, for
the sun was beating down with all its
midsummer intensity. Before start
ing / took off my shoes and stock
ings, very foolishly. Charley only
his shoes. At half-past nine we pull
ed out and in few minutes had
passed out of sight OF the crowd.
Then came long wearisome ride Of
hour after hour, on the trackless
waste OF waters, under sitting heat.
All we could do was to keep the boat
in that part OF the river where We
judged the channel to have been.
How near we came to it cannot be
told. At times the waters spread out
until the shores faded away beyond
the horizon. As We passed along,
we saw standing above the flood, at
irregular intervals, the tops Of houses
still remaiping on their foundations
These were usually covered with
fowls OF various kinds, although oc-
casionally stray lamb. calf or pig
kept them company. When we ran
close to shore, as sometimes happen
ed, we saw rabbits, and squirrels, and
quails on the topmost rails OF fences
The latter were absolutely stupid
from gorging on the wheat that had
been thrown upon the water from
the devastated fields. Had we been
so inclined we could have picked
these animals and birds off their
resting placing as we rode by. These
were the only living things we saw in
all that dreadful ride. Human beings
could not come within sound of our
voices. and not often within range OF
vision. Thus we went on, hour after
hour, ,thesun fairly blistering us as we
proceeded. Neither Of us had had any
experience with the oars for long
time and by noon my hands were a