Delaware State journal and statesman., 1869-06-22
NO.'5O
Serious Accident.

An accident occurred at West Point, on
Thursday morning last to two well-known
citizens of New York and their driver, which
came near proving fatal, but which resulted
fortunately in nothing worse than the bruis-
ing more or less serious of all three, and
the loss of a carriage and span OF horses.
Mr.. Henry E. Clark. and Mr.. r. Frederic
Gunther, were on their way from the hotel
to the ferry landing at a little past z, in q
carriage drawn by two spirited and hard
mouthed horses At a point about equidi-
slant between the riding hall and the land.
ing, the horses started on a run, and the
driver, Stephen Mandigo, found it lmposs
BILE 10 manage them. Just before reaching
the little passenger-house, Mr.. Clark, very
muscular man, seized one Of the reins, leav-
ing the driver free 10 use the whole strength
of both his hands on the other but their
united efforts were in VAN. The furious
animals rushed on at terrific speed, turned
TO the left upon the pier and made head
long for the river The many spectators of
the exciting scene saw no hope for the en-
dangered passengers, cooped up as they
were in close carriage, and with only
moment 10 choose between a perilous leap
TO the ground and no less perilous plunge
into 80 feet OF water. Luckily, Mr.. Clark's
presence of mind had not deserted him. In
an instant he had given the hint to his COM
pani0n, and in the next Mr.. Gunther was on
| fsrra frma. Mr.. Clark sprang from the
other side of the vehicle, and as he reached
tue ground the carriage fell over him, still
drawn at fnghtful speed toward the edge OF
the pier, plowng the flooring up in ugly
| burrows. The driver still clung to the reIns,
or else was unable to throw himself from
the box, for when the horses made their
last fearful plunge, dashing the overturned
carriage over the heavy string-piece of the
pier, he went with them, and for a few Sec
onds was lost to sight In the meantime
| Mr. Clark, who had regalned his feet,
sprang for b0ai, and was ready In a MIN
| ute to row to the assistance OF the drown
| ing man but as Mandigo reached the sur
| face rope was thrown 10 him, and he was
| soon brought TO land, very badly cut and
bruised about the head, but still conscious.
| Mr. Gunther, on being examined by one OF
| the Post Surgeons, was found to have been
seriously though not dangerously injured.
One shoulder was dislocated, his head and
face bruised and cut, and his arms and
hand severely abraded. The three sufferers
were at once removed to the hospital, where
they were cared for. Mr.. Gnnther's shoul-
der was set without much difficulty, and the
wounds of all skilliully dressed In few
hours Mr.. Clark was able TO ride to the
hotel, where he received, in the course OF
day, the eongratulation of a host oil friends.
Mr.. Gunther suffered great deal OF pain,
but at noon he was doing well. Mandigo's
chief injury was scalp.wound of SIX inches
in length, which, with the many bruises on
other parts OF his body, will render him an
invalid lor some weeks, but no doubts are
entertained of his recovery.
Mr.. Clark's escape from frightful death
was most extraordinary. But for the oper
i door, which caught the ground as the car.
4 riage overturned, thereby keeping the body
# of the vehicle somewhat elevated, he woul'
have been crushed by the projecting hub 0
the rear wheel and his body dragged to tn
heavy string-piece, there to be mangled am
+ torn beyond the possibility of recognition.
The horses came to the surface once o
twice after their fatal leap, and then sank 4
the bottom, dragged down by the ,gres
& weight of the carriage. They were Valuabl
Of animals, having cost Mr.. Denton, thei
" owner, 5000 only a few days ago; MI
Ie Denton loses in all about s, 5000, unless b
IN should succeeded in recovering the carriag
re and harness before the action OF the waite
ig has rendered them valuless.--IFibune.