Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1873-01-10

EXCITING SoENE-CRIT1cAL SITUATION An
exciting scene occurred on South River, at
Coyners MILL on Friday last, which came near
resulting fatally. There had been joyous
gathering at the residence o. Mr.. Layman the
night before, and on Friday morning Alex Now
| ~ and Miss Matte Fretwel were returning homo
to New Hope in a buggy, having been preceded
| by several other parties in vehicles. Upon get
ting to the ford at Coyner's mill, they found the
| water quite high but thought, as those ahead had
crossed in safety, they could do the same. But
| they were not aware of how suddenly the water
had risen, since the passage of their friends, for
they had only driven in a few steps, when the
water flowed into the buggy Still feeling Ger
tain, that the crossing could be made, Mr.. Now
ry drove on. A moment more and the horse
lost his footing, the vehicle was lifted from the
bed of the stream and all commenced going rap
idly down the river, the furious struggles of the
animal for his life, threatening to overturn the
buggy and drown the occupants. In this peril
Gus situation they were carried down the raging
current, the freezing water boiling up around
them and threatening to engulph them every
momeut. Mr.. Mowry determined to take the
only chance for life that lay before them. Miss
Fretwell was sitting perfectly collected and not
cry Of terror had escaped her lips Throwing
the reins to the horse he rose in the seat, and
steadying himself for the leap, seized her and
sprang overheard with her. Being expert
and strong swimmer, he cleft his way through
the seething waters and in a short distance
reached part Of the stream where he could
walk ashore with his fair burden. The horse
and buggy were swept nearly quarter of mile
below and and washed into shallow water where
the animal struggled out drawing the buggy af
ter him. The escape of Mr.. -Mowry and Miss
Fretwell was most wonderful one. and WAS due
as much to the cool self possession of the lady
as the courage of the gentleman, for, had either
failed in the peri1ous moment, both their lives
would have been lost.
SPREAD OF Coop TEMPLARs INSTITUTION OF
ANOTHER LODGE. The order of Good Templars
is spreading rapidly in this section of Virginia.
Hardly week passes that a new lodge is not
opened. A party of the Templars of West Au-
gusta Lodge, of this city, numbering 25 of whom
we're ladies, left here Friday evenin in hacks
and buggies for New Hops, to institute lodge
of Tempars at that place. Among the party
who we're to officate in the institu lion of the
lodge were, W orthy Chief Tsmplar Simon Miller,
P w c. T., Jas. W. Blackburn. W. T.,
Miss Molie Blackburn W c., r. K. Rice, and
W. NJ, R. johnson. The journey down was an
eventful one the party having failed to cross
Christians Creek on account of high water, had
to come back to town and take another route
In crossing Mowrys creek the water was a foot
over the floors of the vehicles, and many Of the
gallant Templars who swear by cold water, were
roosting in the hack windows swearing if they
got through that turn they would steer
clear of high water hereafter. On the arrival at
New Hope they were most Hospitality received
and treated by the citizens of that village. The
new lodge, 'Belvidere, was instituted Friday
night by G. W. T., G. w. Miller, with the
impressive ceremonies of the order The follow
ing are the officers R. G. Davis, P. W. G. T.,
W, 1. Stout, W. G. T.; Miss R. Scott, W. V. T.;
W. S. Beard W. Sec; W. F. Fretwell, W.. F.
Sec G. G, Dickinson, W. Treas ] c. Scott,
W. Chap; J. D. Fisher, w NJ J. NJ. Talley, l.
G Charles Bats, O. s., and R. C. Davis was
appointed Lodge Deputy.
Mr.. R. K. Rice was appointed Grand Worthy
Marshall.