Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1870-09-01
A STATEN ISLAND HORROR.
Drowned in Each Otner's Arms Pain
ful Accident Near Tottsnvflle.
~ Nm Vel l.,.a Ana.

From the New York Sun. August 15.l
Cornelius Orrick, Aged IL, Henry Orrick,
aged z, and Ann Elizabeth Robbins, aged
16, were drowned on Friday evening, off
the south shore, Staten Island, near the
Prices Bay lightship. Early in the after
noon young Orrick, who is by trade q
painter, and resided wifh his father in
Richmond Valley, took Miss Robbins. his
sister, Miss Louisa Orrick, and his little
brother out for sail in large oyster sklff,
belonging to Mr.. Butler. After sailing
about some hours they returned to the
starting point, and it was here that the ac-
cident by which three Of the party lost
their lives occurred.
1t is the custom there to tie the oyster
skiffs to stakes about twenty five or thirty
yards from the shore, instead of bringing
them to the beach, on account of the surf,
which would knock them all TO pieces at
low water if they were beached. Small
boats, termed oatteaus are used to 60 to
and from thes, skiffs, these Datteaus only
carrying two people.
After the skiff had been made fast to the
stake. Cornelius Orrick put Miss Robbins
in the batteau, and then got in himself to
row her ashore, intending to return for his
sister and brother. As he was starting
away, his brother asked if he might come
too, but WAS told that there was not room
enough, and that he must wait. With the
willfulness Of spoilt child, however, just
as the boat was moving. he jumped on
board, and alighting On the side, the tiny
craft was overturned ia an instant.
Instantly Miss Robbins threw her arms
around the elder brothers neck, and at
the same time the little boy grasped him
ronnd the leg, the three going down lite
rally locked together. Miss Orrick, who
was in the skiff, screamed for assistance,
and young man named John Williams
was the first to arrive, too late, however,
to be of any service.
Williams dived down Just at the spot
where the boat upset, and found Cornelius
Orrick and Miss Robbins clasped in each
others arms, but he was unable TO lift
them. A seine net was then procured, and
the two bodies recovered: but the little
boys body vas not recovered until Satur-
day afternoon, when it Nas found close to
the boat, which would favor the SUPPOSE
ton that he chung to the inside Of the
boat when she was sinking and
could not extricate himself. Miss Orrick
says that neither one of the three ever
showed above water after they first went
down. All three corpses wore q most
peaceful look, and no one could have sup
posed but that they had died quite peace
ably. The Orrick and Robbins families
have been intimate for many years, and
Cornelius Orrick had for some time enter
tanned the warmest affection for Miss Rob-
bins, although they were not formally be-
trothed.
A somewhat touching incident was no
ticed when the bodies were found, Corne-
Illus having the young lady's beads round
his neck. Little did she think when she
put them on that they never would be ta-
ken OF again. He was buried with them
on.
The funeral took place on Sunday from
the residence of MIR. Orrick, in Richmond
Valley. Shortly before o'clock the pro.
cession left the house for the Bethel Meth
odist Episcopal Church at Tottenvilie,
where large number of people who had
been acquainted with the deceased had as
sembled to pay their last tribute of respect
to the dead. The church was literally
cramed full. and large number lad 10
stand in the doorway.
The collins were placed in front of the
altar. They were very plain, with silver
nails, and wreath of white flowers was
placed upon each. The services were con-
Quoted by the Rev. s. B. Boney. and
touching address was delivered by the Rev.
Mr.. Babcock, upon the painful story OF
their deaths.
All the neighbors speak in the highest
terms of Cornelius Orrick, and his poor
old father said his boy was the prop of his
old age. Miss Robbins was singularly
beautiful. and had been staying at Mr. Or
rick's some days previous to the accident.
The accident created the most profound
sensation in Richmond Valley and Totem
vile, where the families were widely
known; hence the large attendance at the
funeral.