Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1867-08-23
Terrible Calamity.

STAGE SWEPT OFF THE PIKE-THREE LADIES
DROWNED.
Yesterday afternoon, about O'Clock, q ter
ribie calamity occurred on the Rockville turn.
pike, by which the lives OF three young ladies
were lost. At that hour the Rock VILE stage,
OF which Mr.. J. G. Howard is the propr etor,
was on its way in from Rockville, being due
here about O'Clock, but had, ON account of
the bad condition Of the roads, been retarded
somewhat, and approaching what is known
as Balls Branch, ordinarily a small stream,
(about one and half miles north OF Tenually-
town. and q mile south OF N ailorsvilte,) found
that 1t had been swelled to the dimensions of a
river almost. in which there was q very swift
current running. The driver, Mr.. Geo. Full
ton, was cautious about attempting to cross,
but seeing two.horse ambulance, driven by
Isaac Williams, 60 over safely, he resolved
to follow. and accordingly the horses
(three in number) were driven for ward, but
the current proved too strong, washing over
Mary Barrett, Bette Drummer and Miss GRAY,
alec one gentleman, Mr.. q. Kiefer, of Rockville
The driver and Mr.. Kiefer soon succeededln
extricating themselves and reaching the shore
but the stage was borne rapidly down the
stream, the ladies calling loudly for aid. but
without avail. These gentlemen followed on
down the stream, and in q short time a crowd
OF persons gathered about the banks and rem.
dered all the assistance possible The coach
was completely submerged most of the time
and the three ladies in attempting to get ont
were drowned. IQe horses having broken
away from the vehicle got out safely, with the
exception OF the lead horse, which was badly
injured and Will probably die, and the stage
was lodged against tree, about three hundred
yards down the stream. Mr.. Kiefer, on one
OF the horses, rode to this city and informed
Mr.. Howard, and others, Of the terrible cal
amity, and the latter dispatched q team to the
place. The search was continued for the
bodies, and driver, who returned about IL
O'Clock last evening, brought in word that the
bodies OF the two first named ladies had been
recovered about half q mile below the pike.
The clothing had been tori and entirely wash
ed from the bodies, and they were much
bruised. Later in the night the body of Miss
Gray was also found, still further down the
stream.
Miss Brimmer's and Miss Gray's bodies were
brought into Georgetown last evening, and
taken to their respective residences and Miss
Barrett's was brought to this city and given
over to her parents, who reside on G street,
near Twelfth.
These ladies, we believe, had all been on a
visit to different parties about Rockville
They are highly esteemed by their friends and
acquaintances in the District, and their un-
timely fate casts gloom over the community
The rain throughout nearly the whole OF
Montgomery country, yesterday and the night
previous, was heavier than almost anywhere
else, and the destruction to the crops, bridges
and fences is truly disheartening.
The driver was swept down the stream
about two or three hundred yards before he
could effect his escape. He is said to be sober
and industrious.