Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1874-02-04
Fatal Ride.

on to chronicle occurred on University
Hill last evening. The facts as we
learn them are as follows: The eve
ming being most beautiful one, a
party Of young people living in the
city, mostly University students, went
to the University to enjoy an hour or
two in the sport Of "riding down hill. y
1t is sport that is frequently parti*i-
pated in by the students and others
On this occasion the party consisted Of
eight OF ten young people, three young
ladies and a party Of young gentle
men escorts. Hand sleds. coupled to-
gethcr by means Of a plank, had been
prepared. With lightsome hearts the
young folks repaired to the chosen hill
little dreaming that one OF their party
must return a corpse. The sleighs
usually start pear tie south dormitory
Of the University, and pass down rbe
sidewalk which leads to the south
stiles. The decent is quite steep and
on this occasion the snow on the walk
Was beaten very compac'ly, aud OF
course the speed was very reat. There
are trees at intervals all along the
walk which renders the feat more haz-
ardous, but, though often frequcnted
by slclghing parties Of this kind we
never heard of any serious accident
occurring before. About nine o'clock
last evening, it appears, couple Of
sleds, fastened as we have described.
with the following persons on board:
Mr.. Fred Conover and Mr.. Hobart
Cook occupying the front sled whose
business was to do the guiding, on the
rear sled, which was fastened to the
other by a plank six or eight feet
long, where Nr. Charles Wilkin and
Mss Minnie Phelps.
The sleighs descended at a speed
that is Undesirable. until within four
or five rods of the fence, where two
or three descending steps in the walk
make 1t necessary to steer quite alb
ruptly to the left. 1t seems there is
tree quite near these steps on the
left, and the party turned so short to
avoid jumping eff the steps that the
two sleds were overturned, and Miss
Phelps and Mr.. Wilkin thrown against
the tree Miss Phelps was struck, we
think, upon the right side Of the face.
Her lower jaw and cheek were lroken
in several places and her head fright
fully mansled. MIR. W,lkin was also
badly injured on the right side of the
head, blood bursting from his ears and
his legs were badly bruised. Both
were totally insensibIe when they
were taken up: and being carried to
TO the nearest house, Mr.. Howe's, Just
opposite the stiles, the young lady ex-
pired in fifteen minutes. Mr.. Wilkin
came to in about half hour, but was
very much prostrated. .-~- ="
Doctors Mitchell and Brown were
summoned at the earliest possible mo-
ment, but they were unable to do any
thing for Miss Phelps. Mr. Wilkin
was klgdly cared for, and as soon as
be was able, was borne to the residence
Of MIR. Chynoweth, on State street, and
ct last accounts was doing. as we'll as
could be hoped, considering the shock
be had received
Miss Phelps was niece Of his hon.
or Judge William P. Lyon, of the
Supreme Court. She was member
of the Sophomore class of the univer-
sity, was about Is years of age Her
parents reside in Delavan, Wis. She
was a young lady and rare beauty and
intelligence the very picture Of good
health, and her sweet disposition had
endeared her to all with whom she as
sociated. For two years she had liv ed
with her uncle, Judge Lyon, whose
family is nearly overwhelmed with
grief at this sad and indescribable ac-
cident a..
Intel.igences of the death was sent
by dispatch last evening to the parents
and the remains will probably be put
in transit for Delavan to-day
HE AMAZON.-ln 1867 Brazil
opened the Amazon to the commerce
Of tie world, and Petz followed her
example in 1868. There are now
three monthly lines of steamers from
Para to Liverpool and New York.
Within twenty-five years Para has ari-
sen from nothing to populous city
Of 10000 inhabitants. The Amazon
is now navigated by British company
which has absorbed the Brazilian and
Peruvian steamers, and is constructing
ten new ones for the same trade upon
the Mersey, Of various burthens, from
367 to 75l tons. Such rapid growth
Of commerce could not be stimulated in
wilderness without the presence of
the greatest natural facilities.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME OF Bill
LIZARDS. New YORK, Jan. 30.-The
second game OF billiards for the silver
y ~