The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1860-05-15
THE ACCIDENT NEAR CAMDEN, s. C


On Saturday morning, May 9Th, most happy
company, composed OF young ladies and gentlemen
children and parents, left their homes in Camden
for davis recreative pleasure and amusement at
Boyken's Mill Pond, about ten miles this side of
that place, and upon the line of the Railroad.
These were Joined by others from the neighbor-
hood. forming party of considerable size.
The fore part of the day, (the distressing acct
dent occurred late in the afternoon was spent
most happily and pleasantly by the excursionists.
The pic mic and fishing excursion, for such it was,
had fully met, thus far, the buoyant anticipations
of the party But what finale The heart
droops and is weighed down by the most pungent
sorrow at its recital.
A fat boat of considerable size bad, short time
previous, been built and placed upon the pond for
purposes of pleasure. A goodly number, probably
thirty or more, of the company embarked upon this
boat, intending to pass over and around the pond.
These consisted chiefly of young ladies, there
being but sufficient number of gentlemen, as was
supposed, to manage the boat and afford company
and protection for the ladies.
They had been out some time, and were near
the centre of the pond, when the boat a
snag This excited little fear, as it was SUP
posed that speedy extrication could be effected.
All was life and spirit-all was hope and happi-
ness Soon it was perceived that the great pres
sure of the boat upon the snag, in consequence of
the number it contained, was puncturing its bot
tom. and tina. the water was making It's way inside.
Now the excitement began Now fear began to
picture its sad traces upon those ust now happy
countenances Now the tender and timid ladies'
called upon their protectors for that assistance and
deliverance which, painful to say, they. were un-
able to afford. Every momeLt the danger became
greater, and the excitement of those on board as
we'll as those on shore, became more intense. It
appears that deliveSance would have come and that
the boat would have been pushed off and run near
enough to the shore for many if not all to have
escaped, had it not been that those who stood at
each end "a white man and negro) with their poles,
aboring with all their power, pushed in opposite
directions, thus mutually destroying the effect of
their efforts. In few moments she began to sink
When this was seen, and the fact that she could
not be moved became too apparent, the scene be-
came frghtful indeed. The widest excitement
and fear seemed to seize every heart, and but few
if any were sufficiently collected to enable them to
employ their efforts for to advantage.
ln few moments she sank, and the scene may be
better imagined than described.
Piercing cries and shrieks, and calls for help,
from both those on the boat and those shore,
filled the air. Sisters and brothers, parents and
children, relatives and friends, whose hearts were
bound together by the dearest of earthly ties, and
animated by the warmest and most tender affec-
some on the shore.
The boat seems to have committed them TO the
water, huddled together mainly in mass. The
water is supposed to have been about twenty feet
in depth. Thus thrown together, one clInging to
the other, with that grasp which belongs only to
those in drowning condition, there little OPP
portunity for the males in the company to rescue
the females, or even to save themselves.
A few Of those upon the boat saved. One
act of daring, manly and gallant rescue which has
been reported to us, and which We believe true,
demands especial notice, and should be rewarded
by the lifetime gratitude Of those Immediately con-
concerned, as well the relatives and friends of
the same. Mr. Jones, fireman upon the Camden
tran (this train was, we'll can learn.
the spot at the time of the awful occurrence, rush
ed to the spot and by almost superhunan efforts,
coupled with most cool and manly courage, brought
three of the drowning persons to shore. The fol-
lowing persons were drowned:
Miss A A Alexander, Miss Lizzie McKagen,
Miss Selma Crosby. Miss Sarah Howell Mr. l. R
LeGrand, Master Willie McKagen, Mr. Jno Cakes,
Miss Mary Halson, Miss Alice Robinson, Miss
Lou Nettles, two Misses McCowns, Mr. VIM Lee
Grand, Mr. B Hocott. All ofthe above were
from Camden.
Two daughters and one son of Mr. Samuel FL
Young, Misses Kelly and jenkins, and F A Rich
bourg, R Higgins, and r Mcleod, from the
country, besides two negroes
Mr. Richbourg, with noble devotion, lost his life
as we understand, attempting to another.
Two ladies, Mrs Carter and Mrs Steakel wives
of engineers on the vii. & Man. Railroad, got
upon the boat when about to start as We learn but
thinking the crowd too great, they came off, and
thus no doubt narrowly escaped death
Efforts were Immediately employed to save the
bodies of the drowned persons. Some were taken
from the water. Others could not be found. The
food-gates of the pond were soon hoisted, but the
body of water great and could not be run
off. 1t was thought that it would be sufficiently
dry on Saturday nj ht to admit of all the bodies
being found. We have not learned the number
that had been found when our despatch was sent.
Camden is shrouded in gloom. At half past
three, eight bodies were at the Methodist Church.
where funeral ceremonies were being performed in
the presence Of large congregation. Almost
every eye was moistened by the tear of sympathy
or bereayement.-tSnmter Wnichr,an.
CONVICTION OF ROBERT T. WILLIAMS One
of the most exciting trials that ever has taken
place in North Carolina, has just been concluded
in Rockingham Superior Court. and has resulted
in the conviction of Robert T. Williams of the
murder of Margaret Helton. The case was called
up Thursday of last week On Saturday after
dinner j. III. Boyd stated the grounds of defence.
when Mr. Solicitor Settle commenced the argument
of the prosecution, speaking until 9 orl0 o'clock;
Hon. John A. Gilmer then spoke in defence of
the prisoner until 2 o'clock on Sunday morning,
when the aruument was SuSpended until Monday