The Weekly Minnesotian

Miraculous Escape.--Capt. F. W. Coffin and family, of this village, while on a recent tour to the Upper Lakes, on the propeller, Prairie State, came near losing their youngest son, about three years old, by drowning. The particulars are these: When near the Manitou Islands, in Lake Michigan, and while the ladies on the boat were engaged in conversation, the little lad strayed to the edge of the vessel, unnoticed by those around; and in attempting to get upon a chair that stood near the guards, the chair turned with him and he fell overboard. Mr. George Sanburn, steward of the boat, the only person that saw the child fall, jumped into the water to rescue him. The wheelsman discovered Mr. S. in the water, and rung the bell to have the engine stop. The propeller being under full headway, proceeded about half a mile before it could be stopped. The boat was lowered and well manned, with the almost distracted father among the number. The waves were rolling high, and only as the boat rose upon the foaming billows, could those in it discover the young man and child. In a short time, however, they reached Mr. Sanburn, nearly exhausted in contending against the strong head wind, and took him in the boat. It was believed that the child had sunk to rise no more, when the father discovered it floating on the surface of the water, some eighty feet distant. There was hope that the child might yet be saved, and the hands rowed to the spot with all possible speed, upon reaching which the child was taken from the water apparently lifeless. On reaching the propeller, however, signs of life appeared, and after some three or four hours rubbing of the body and limbs, and pressing the chest, the child revived, and is now doing well.--Ravenna (Ohio) Whig.