The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-12-20
From the Alton Democrat.
TERRIBLE CALAMITY. '

The community were, perhaps, more in
tensely stirred yesterday afternoon than
they have ever been since population has
been located near Plasa Creek Hollow. The
affective news was the drowning of three
of the pupils of that department of the
Public School on State street, under the
direction of Miss Mcneil. Three bright,
lively children, Joyous, happy, sporting
like the butterfly in the shn-the hope and
joy of their parents-were called into the
splrit-wOrld without notice and in defiance
of all the eXerti0ns that could be made for
their relief. A t'.l-
They had ventured out upon the treach-
erous surface of pond in the rear of the
school-house, which had Just been frozen
BY the recent cold snap; it had broken un-
der their feet and there they perished. The
sufferers were little boy of eight years
old, named Robert Smiley, and ano her by
the name of John Monti, agen ten. These
had broken through the Ice and were strug-
Cling in the water, when Miss Ora Mont,
aged about thirteen, the sister of one of the
drowning boys, resOlutely rushed to his re-
lief. Alas, she could do no more In the ice
cold water, much beyond her depth, than
her brother, and only succeeded IN sacrific-
ing herself, instead Of relieving him.
iO OnC W as III but UCl2H-
borhood at the time who had the stamina
and the ability TO swim. One pale, sickly-
looking man plunged into the water. and
was scarcely able to get out again, perhaps
would not, ii assistance had not by that
time been afforded him. rAfter considera-
BILE effort the bodies of the children were
recovered, but too late to afford any chance
for their resuscitation. jC - Hifah
We learn that some of the school child
rem had been reproved and punished In the
morning session, for playing upon the ice,
but unfortunately, they didnot, for all that
appreciate the great danger they were in.
We sincerely sympathize with the be-
reaved parents and friends in their great
calamity, and hope that other children will
learn to obey their teachers and parents
for by so doing they will not only escape
many physical dangers, but other calami-
ties from which that mature advice will be
able to shield them. -. M
Since the above was in type, we learn
that one Of the little boys could swim, and
actually got hold OF the ice to draw him.
self out, when he was seized by the other,
whose weight he was not able to support.
just as they were about going down for the
last time, little Monti was caught by the
arm by his sister, when all three met their
fate. She had previously pushed out a
board to support her, but the weight of the
children overturned 1t. Such heroism and
self-devotion as she displayed is remarka-
BILE. The funeral is in motion while We are
writing. The public schools are all In at
tendance, thus paying the last tribute Of
respect to their lamented comrades.
CoLLIsIoN.--Yesterday morning, as the
down bound passenger train Of the Mari
eta and Cincinnati Railroad was nearing
the junction Of the Marietta and CiGcin-
natl Railroad and Cincinnati, Hamilton &
Dayton Railroad, the turning Of tie prop
er switch being neglected, the ! lssenge.
train dashed into side track, coiliding
with some freight cars, breaking both en-
gine and cars badly, but, fortunately. III