The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1869-08-13
1 Correspondence If ue Eyis d haelligeacer.
THE ACCIDENT IN BUSH RIVER.
ABINGDON. Anqilst 0th. 14Gs

~ ABINGDON. Augrst 9th 1863
MEssRs. EDIToRs "A party, consisting of
thirteen persons, DR.. John O. Polk, james
NJ Sewell, Septimus d. Sewell, Harry Lee,
Josiah Lee, George Diffenderfer, James
Cochran, Wash. DOrney, Albert Dorncy, Ed
wa ID Hail. VIM. Hall, james Cage, and
col ored man in the employ of S. D. Sewell,
left Abingdon, on Thursday morning, 9TH
inst, in sail boat belonging to Harry Lee, to
''' Grabbing. They ordered dinner to be
prepared At the Philadelphia Club House, al
three o'clock, p. NJ. After grabbing till that
time, they started to sail down the river to
the Club House, leaving colored boy in
boat belonging to the Club House to follow
them with the crabs. The wind was blow
ing fresh, and the water running quite high
| and they were compelled to make several
| lacks in order to cross the river Young
DorneY's hat was blown off into the water,
and Harry Lee, who was sailing the boat,
endeavored to run near enough to pick up
the hat, when the boat wos capsized. Harr
| Lee was never seen after, and II is supposed
he was struck by the jibing of the boom, and
| knocked senseleSs into the water The
| Others chung on to the boat as well as they
could, but j. M. Sewell becoming gradually
exhausted drowned without n struggle, al.
though efforts were made by some of the
Others to save him. The colored man be-
haved nobly, not supporting himself on the
boat at all, but continued to swim around, as
ssting the Others and was probably the
means of saving several lives. They re-
manned in the water about one hour and
half, near the middle of tile river, directly OPP
posite Mr.. Elliotts farm, when the coored
boy who had been left to follow them with
the other boat, came near, and several of the
| party left the capsZed boat and attempted to
swim to him, all Of whom succeeded except
| S. ID. Scwell, who sunk and was drowned,
when he would have been saved in u few
moments more, had he remained on the sunk
en- boat. They were then all taken on Board
the Club boat, excepting the colored man,
who still continued to swim, for fear of over
loading the boat, until they reached the Club
House The colorcd man, Charles Gilbert,
who has charge of the Club House, was then
sent out to the sunken boat and brought off the
body of j. M. Sewcll, which had become en-
tangled in the sail, and also brought back the
boat. A telegram was Immediately sent to
Baltimore ordering up steam tug-boat,
which arrived the next morning, and con-
tinued the search for the other two bodies
until Saturday evening, without success, at
which time 1t was sent away, not being
deemed of further use The search was
continued, however, by small boats with
hooks, and seine was also repeatedly haul
ed without success. About 12 o'clock, NJ,
on Sunday, the body of s. d. Scwel was
found floating near the spot where the boat
was capslZed. 1t was very much disfigured,
and could not have been recognized by
person unacquainted with the facts of the
drowning. The search was then continued
until Monday morning, when the body of
Harry Lee was found floating at consider
able distance from the place where it was
lost. 1t was also much disfigured
| NI,a fi,,,a Of
on Saturday afternoon, his remains being
inferred in the family burying ground near
Abingdon. The funeral of S. d. Scwell took
place on Monday, at O'clock A. NJ, his re-
mains being also inferred in the family bury
ing ground The body of Harry Lee was
taken to Baltimore on Monday, on the cars,
there to be inferred in Greenmount cemetery.
Mr.. p. E. Carroll and VIM. A. McComas,
of this vicinity, rendered much valuable as
sistance in recovering the bodies of S. ID.
Sewell and Harry Lee.
The loss of these gentlemen has cast q
| gloom over our entire community. They
were among our most prominent and valued
citizens. Mr.. S. ID. Sewell leaves widow
and several children to whom his death will
be an irreparable loss, and who have the
most sincere sympathy of the numerous
friends who can never forget his many anna
BILE and endearing qualities. Mr.. Jas. NJ
Sewcll leaves widow but no children His
loss is also deeply felt by large circle of
sympathizing friends. Mr.. Harry Lee was
the youngest son of the late Josiah Lee, of
Baltimore, whose maine was so intimately
connected with the banking business of that
city, and he was the only brother of Josiah
| Lee, Jr. He was about 20 years old, and
young man of fine accomplishments and rare
| promise. He had but recently returned
from tour through Europe with his brother
and was sojourning with his uncle, Mr.. Sew
| ell, when he was so suddenly taken away
from his many friends, to whom he was en-.
dcared by the many beautiful and brilliant
traits, as well as the charming modesty ofhis
character. 1t will he long ere our village re-
covers from the loss which it has sustained
in the sudden death of these gentlemen.