Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1851-03-21

appointed the following gentlemen as his Aids, with
the rank of Colonel, to wit
THOMAS RuFF1N, Jr., of Rockingham county.
ROBERT STRANGE, Jr., New Hanover county.
JAMES MCLEAN, of Surry county.
ALEXANDER NJ HAYDEN, of Rutherford county
From the Lincolnton On. CO. Republican, March II.
Distressing Event.
It becomes our painful duty to record an incident
which has spread the deepest gloom over this whole
community.
On last Friday night, after Col Andrew Motz, one
of the proprietors of Laurel Hill Cotton Factory:
near this place had closed business he started for
his residence since which he has not been seen and
the only Indication of his sad fate the discovery of
his hat and the fastening cord of his cloak found in
the water below SHADES bridge over which he had
to pass to his home.
At the time he left his place of business to proceed
to his residence which was between 8 and o'clock
at night it was very dark, and that darkness deep
ened by heavy rain, attended by strong wind
blowing fercely. The reason he gave for turning
out in such inclement weather, his anxiety to
reach his family who looked for him earlier in the
evening.
Col Motz was an enterprising business man, and
therefore his absence Friday night and Saturday
morning was ascribed to business engagements but
as his relatives expressed uneasiness at his
prOtracted disappearance alarm for his safety seized
upon the whole community, and diligent search
has been prosecuted ever since. All the boats in
reach are IN constant use the river has been
fully examined for miles, and every effort has been
made to the body-but up to this time We'd
nesday morning) no further discoveries have been
made.
In addition to the general exertions the Odd Eel
lows and the Sons of Temperance (of both of which
Orders Col. Motz highly valued member, held
meetings respectively on Monday night, passing re-
solves to continue the search long as hope held
/ out prospect of success.
In pursuance of an order of his assembled brethren
of Odd Fellows, boat was built in few hours on
Tuesday constructed especially for thorough search
of the bottom of the streams.
! AS the bridge was broad: and Col. Motz very
active man, the impression prevails, in minds
that he met with foul play but this is only suppose
ton. He was amiable, kind, and obliging citi-
zen, and had perhaps, as few enemies as any mar
living When last seen, he was closely enveloped in
an overcoat and cloak. carrying over him umbrel
la and if he accidentally fell off the bridge which
has baustrade he had poor chance for life, thus
enyeloped in heavy cloth clothing for the water
falling over the dam just below, runs with great
swiftness when the stream is full, it at thai
| time.
Col Motz leaves devoted wife and three children
whose distress at present, elicting the deepest sym
pathies of ALL is beyond the power of description.
MIR. Barret, his partner in business, a risi
to Milton, at the time of this sad event.
BES~Since the above put in type, we Learn
that the cloak of Col. Motz has been found. 1t was
hooked up, half mile below the bridge from
| which he must have fallen. Thursday morning
no further discoveries.