Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1873-06-18
Terrible Calamity in Calais.
FIVE PERSONS pRowSrpi

friends Of Mr.. Melvin Tichout, were having q
family gathering that afternoon at Number
Ten, small village at the outlet Of the Pond,
and proposed ride across the Fond to White
Birch Point, about a mile distant, and oppo-
site Mr.. Tichout's residence
1t appears that on Saturday there had been
a large picnic party Of their relatives and
friends living by the Pond, and that those
constituting thisparty had remained over until
the next day On Sunday afternoon one OF the
deceased, Mrs. Mcknight, very aged lady,
remarked that "sho had such a good time the
day before up at the Point, that she wished
she could go up nguin with her friends, and
have lunch" The younger members at the
gathering replied Why, grandmother, il you
would like to 60, we will get the boats and
carry you up" Accordingly they procured two
boats, and started for the Point, about one
mile distant, twenty four persons in all, one Of
the boats going twice. They remained about
one hour, and Mr.. War cham Chase, with the
smaller boat, started to return, expecting to go
back for another load, oauiioning the balance
of the party not to attempt to return upon the
large boat, as that boat would carry but twelve
persons, but 10 wait for him.
In the meantime Isaac A. Merrill had come
up with a small boat to.see one Of tho party.
After Mr. Chase bad started, the remaining
eighteen proposed to start back upon the larger
boat, but Mr.. Merrill induced two Of the
gentlemen to accompany him As the party
lelt the shore, Mr.. Chase, who was long dis
lance away, seeing them, exclaimed, My
God, they will all be drowned" and turned
Immediately around, shouting to them to get
Of, but his warning WIS unheeded, although
the boat began tn careen over as soon as they
left the shore.
This large boat was constructed Of two small
boats placed alongside and dccked over with
seats, with railing buitaround it, There was
a pump on board which Mrs. Nye attempted to
use, calling upon Mr. Tichout to 4" hack tie
boat, as one Of them was filing" lie replied
that it was all right il some Of them would
change their position to the other side. The
ladies, now frightened, changed so quickly that
it caused the boat to careen over, and a little
daughter Of Mr. Tichout was thrown over
board The father seeing the nccilent plunged
after her, tipping the boat the other way, and
throwing hree others out, (Clark Gray and his
two children) In the confusion the boats had
dipped water until they settled to the surface
and now M one was on it except women and
children, all Of whom but two or three jump
ed of Those who did remain upon the boat
were safe, as it only sunk about two feet under
water
The names Of the party on the larger boat
were as follows Mrs. 5 B. Fair Mrs. Melvin
Nye and daughter; Clark Gray, son and
daughter Mrs Minerva Ainsworth and daugl,
ter Mrs Melvin Tichout Mrs. Moses Good
ell; Mrs Recta McKnighti Mrs. wareham
Chase Lafayette Tichout, wife and daughter;
Miss Anna c. Tobey Mrs Simeon Martin.
and Miss Alma Sloan.
The three men in the small boat, seeing the
disaster fastened to the spot, but being already
loaded down theS could not take in any one
but caught hold Of two who were struggling
in the water and towed them toward shore un-
til Mr. Merrill could touch bottom, when he
jumped out, and took these two to land then
the boat fastened back, getting three more, the
distance being about twenty rods. On the
third trip, Mr.. Chase having reached the place,
all who remained upon the surface, together
with those remaining upon the large boat, were
ttken or
The names Of those drowned were as follows
Mrs. Rec,a Mcknight, widow of Amasa Nc
Knight, aged ~ years, Lafayette Tichout and
his wife and daughter, aged respectively IS,
Il, and years, and Miss A. e. Tobey, aged
Is years.
| Mr.. Tichout was a strong nun and good
swimmer, and lost his life in trying to s'so his
daughter and Miss Tobcy, Selling one in each
hand, and struggling until he s,rangled to keep
them above water, when all three sank to-
gether Ms M,Knightand Ms. riehout did
not siak at all, being supported by theil
clothing, but had fallen in head downward, and
when reached we've dead.
| OF those rescued several were unconscious
| Mr. Gray had one Of his children in each hand
himself and one child were unconscious when
they reached the shore, but quickly recovered
The opportune presence Of the small boat, an,
the coOlne,s Of the gentlemen in it, saved th'
balance Of the party, all of whom must have
persisted in another minute.
Three of the bodies were recovered that
evening The body of Miss Tobey was found
Monday forenoon, while that of the daughter
| of Mr. richout was not found until Tuesday
noon. The water at this point was so feet
deep, with muddy bottom.
The adult deceased were all people Of the
highest responsibility, and their loss will b
universally lamented, more especially as then
object was to give their aged friend and rela
tive an hours recreation and pleasure. The
entire community is plunged into the deepest
grief at the sad calamity, and a great deal o
sympathy is expressed for thosc who by thi
misfortune are called upon to mourn the loss o
those dearer than their own life.
The funeral service of Mr.. and Mrs Tichou
and daughter and Mrs. Mcknight was held a
the church in East Calais, at two O'Clock
Tuesday afternoon. Tie services were conduct
cd by Rev. Lester Warren. The funeral o
Miss Tobey was held at the house OF her faith
err, Mr. w Elliot Tubey, the sane afternoon
| Rev 0rrin Davis officiating
or course the excitement over thi, event i
intense, and various stories and rumors ar
aA nt about the matter. TLc>e we have en-
deayored to silt thoroughly, and we believe th
statements given above are correct ~
/ NoRwicn UNiyERsfTy.-The Commencement
Exercises Of the University commence on mex
Sunday, (22d,) with Baccalaureate Setmo
by the President, Rev Malcolm Douglass, D
d. On Wednesday at 9 o'clock, A. NJ, will b
held tue examination of candidates for I'D
mission to the University. On Thursds,
Commencement day, ON the parade ground, be
ginning at O'Clock, a. NJ, there will be 10
lantry drill, dress parade, artillery drill an
I firing salute. The orstions will be given i
St Mary's church, at II O'Clock, A. NJ, ate
which the Grafton before the Trustees will b
1 delivered by Rev. A. B. Flanders, Of Chester
and the Poem before the Societies, by Capt. c
f A. Curtis, of the University.
WORTH HAVING. Messrs. Orange Judd a %
the enterprising publishers of those sterlin
periodicals, Hearth and Home, and the Amer
can Agriculiurist, have prepared, M premium
to subscribers to these publications, two beant
: rul chrOmOs entitled " The Strawberry Girl .