Originally published in The Vidette-Messenger of Porter County on April 12, 1956.
Porter County River Is Safety Test Scene
By ARTHUR E. ANDERSON
A line of cars carrying canoes turned off US 20 in north Porter county and headed down Greenhouse road.
At the Little Calumet river, the autos stopped. The occupants got out, unloaded the canoes from the car tops.
The “white water” canoe cruise is held under the auspices of the Chicago chapter of the American Red Cross with James H. Carnaham, director of water safety, in charge. Douglas Boyd, field representatives, assists him.
The mixed group of canoe enthusiasts was comprised of Red Cross swimming instructors from the Chicago-Calumet area.
Thirty-two persons made the trop Sunday on the Little Calumet river in 13 canoes.
At the point they embarked, the river was wide and the current slow.
Pass Historic Home
After a few minutes of paddling, they passed the historic home of Joseph Bailly, a Frenchman who settled there with his family 134 years ago. They were the first white people to settle in this area.
Bailly bartered with the Indians who came down this stream with furs in their canoes.
The “white water” canoers soon called for a short lunch stop.
The turning, twisting and doubling back of the river added to the mileage covered. The canoers sometimes were detained by obstructions which they encountered ー in the water or overhead.
Then came the thrill of going through the rapids, a special treat for those who had never before paddled down a “white water” stretch.
Several had near spills as they tipped and water came into their “sitting rooms.”
While the stage of the water was moderate for this time of year, there were a number of places where logs, brush across the water made it difficult and hazardous to pass, especially in a strong current.
At one spot, two canoes came upon a tree which blocked the way. While one crew attempted to squeeze their boat under the tree, the stern paddler of the second boat had his crew step onto the tree as he slid the boat over the wet limb.
Paddler Is Dunked
A sudden slip, a splash and the paddler was in the c-o-l-d Little Calumet.
He held tightly to the limb as the current tried to drag him under.
Minutes later, on a bank downstream, a thoroughly chilled canoeist could be seen doing an Indian war dance around a big bonfire.
Everyone agreed that the “Lil Ole Cal” in north Porter county gave them a good workout with plenty of pleasure and thrills.
Water Safety Training Exercise Is Held
LITTLE CALUMET river gives good “white water” cruise experience to Chicago chapter of American Red Cross, which underwent water safety training there. In top photo boats are being unloaded; middle rapids are negotiated; lower, trainee is dunked in cold water.
(Arthur E. Anderson Photos)
