Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-06-11
Far<aculars OF the Accident 90 Rumford
Falls.

MEXICO, June LIST, 16ees
One of tl,xsaddest accidents occurred
near here toby fTussdas tho issef juno
which / ever had occasion tofecord' Tho
drive underthe Charge OIL. E.Daun, Esq.
arrived at Ranfbrd Faps. Yesterday. and
worked along with success and safety,
until II O'Clock A. NJ. today.
A jam of logs had formed on rock near
the AXE fsctcry dam, and some nearer the
Peru, than the Rumford side of the river,
and hs continual aecessions had reached
the Peru side. forming wing jam. OAR
ing the early part of the forenoon mum.
Der of the men had been at work on this
jam. and made AN opening bu'wcen this
rock and the Peru shore, leaving as the
logs breke away, five menon this rock
with swift current On each side of them,
and Just below and only just few feet
from the rock, heavy swells of foamy wa
ter. The names of tlpse left on the rock,
were Edward Grace, Charles Fling, Jack
Larry, John Mathew and c. j. Hinklsy.
Fourmen--namely Calvin Roberts, and
Asa Spencer, boatmen, and Michael Glib
bons, and Kenneth Mclean, midshipmen,
left the Peru shore with boat and drop
ped down stern first TO the rock to take of
the five men thereon. While those men
were getting into the boat. the bow OF it
swung towards the main current (from
the shore) which caught the bow and in
n second before The men from The rock
had hardly got in-the boat was past
management, rs all supposed. Mr. Grace,
seeing the danger, cried, Oh: God! jump
he did so, trying no doubt TO reach the
rock he had just left, was carried with al
most lightning velocity. against another
rock some feet lower down, and as it is
supposed instantly killed. Lazy, Gibbons
and Fling, followed and in rushing to-
wards the stern of the boat crowded Rob
erts the sternsmaR into the water. Mr.,
Larry and Roberts passed partially back of
and in some way managed 10 reach the
rock. CHR Larry cannot SWIM Mr.. Grace.
Gibbons and Fling, were drowned. Be-
low this rock some fifty rods, is what is
called the knapp pitch or fall" Between
the two points the descent is sharp and it
runs very swiftly in large swells and in
many places "foaming white" Grace
Was seen only for moment after jump
Ing from the boat; bat Gibbons, and
Fling, were seen last, facing down the riv-
or about half way between the dam and
the Knapp pitch. Mr.. Grace belonged IN
Eddington, Me-, and was married. Mr..
Fling belonged u Old Town, where he
has wife and three children. Mr.. Glib
hons was unmarried.
Messrs. Spencer, Mclean, Kenneth and
Hmkley, managed to reach the shore in
the boat, about thirty rods below the rock
they left and twenty rods before reaching
the head of the Knapp pitch. Their ride
was perilous one, and their escape from
drowning or death by being thrown a.
gainst logs or rocks miracle. All the
oars belonging to the boat but one were
washed or thrown away near the rock.
and the boat was managed with that and
with paddles. Mr.. Dunn Immediately
sent TO Bryant's Pond, to telegraph to the
friends Of the deceased Such measures
as were necessary to find the bodies were
taken, but were fruitless. and many days
NAV pass before they are found.
This sad affair has caused deep gloom
in our midst Every one here sympathizes
with the afflicted friends of these men.
..Dunns, drive" are always welcome com
ers his men are always civil. and make
n great many friends along the river.
MANY of them have been here SO often
that they seem to belong TO our own
community Those who so sndd emily
lost their lives to-day, have been on this
river number Of springs before this.
We feel that many hearts will be filled
with grief, by this sad accident but they
NAV rest assured that their friends re-
mains if found, will be tenderiy cared fol-
AS il among their own neighbors.
Two men took q boat down, and took
Messrs Larry and Roberts of the rock at,
ter the excitement was quoted, with safe