Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-10-31
DROWNED.
A MAN LOSES HIS LIFE IN ATTEMPTING TO
RESCUE A CHILD.


RESCUE CHILD.
A report came to Hagerstown on
Monday night to the effect that two
persons had been drowned in the canal.
The hour was too late to render it posi-
BILE to give an account of the sad affair
in Tuesdays issue, and, moreover, we
deemed it proper to wait for full par
ticulars tor which We are greatly in
debted to a gentleman direct from
Williamsport. The circumstances We're
as follows:
The canal boat "Knights of Pythias,"
Capt. John Walker, who also was owner
was on its way to Georgetown, loaded
with coal. On the boat was the Cap
tain's wife and q little nephew, about 6
years of age. The little boy was play
ing upon the deck, and when at the
Big Pool, about IA miles above Will
Transport, the little fellow spied boat
approaching and ran to the middle
cabin, and gleefully told his aunt OF the
fact. She gave him some playful reply,
and the little boy started to run back TO
the stern where his uncle was steering,
and stumping his foot against race
plank stumbled and fell into the canal.
The Captain at once leaped overheard
to rescue the drowning child, and
caught it securely and was making for
the shore when the struggle became too
much for him and he and the child sank
beneath the water and were drowned.
The Captain had been sick several
weeks from chills and fevers, and at the
same time very weak. and to this fact
is attributed his drowning. The Cap
tains son, seeing the struggles Of his
father threw a plank to him, but the
drowning man failed to catch it. The
drowning took place within five feet Of
the shore. Where the child fell III,
about 20 feet from shore, there is at
least 40 feet of water. The event caused
the greatest CONSERVATION among the
employees Of the boat, and especially
with the members Of the Captain 5
family who were aboard. The grief
and screams and walls of the suddenly
bereayed wife were pitiful ildeed. FL
forts were made At once TO secure the
bodies of the drowned, which were soon
obtained and placed on the boat and
conveyed to WilliamspOrt, where the
boat arrived about p. III. The news
rapidly spread through Williamsport,
and hundreds ofpersons assembled at
the boat and the greatest sympathy was
universally expressed. When it be
came known that the deceased was a
member of the order Of *. of r., mum
Der Of the members Of Potomac Lodge,
of that place, took charge OF the bodies,
and watched over them dyring the
night.
Very early in the morning, the bodies
enclosed in collins, accompanied by the
bereayed family, were conveyed by
hearfc to IIagerstown and placed aboard
the $50 w. Co., train 10 be conveyed
TO Georgetown, the former home OF the
deceased and his family.
The sad accident occurred about 2.30
p. m. Captain Walker was about 80
years of age, and was accounted good
swimmer.
This sad event seems to exhibit a
degree of manly courage, which has
always characterised the brave Captain.
1t was not his own child that was
struggling for life. IT it had been
strangers child it would have been all
the same to the heroic heart that did
not feel appalled, at the danger. y life
was in peril-a little child was strang-
ling in the cold water, and though
weakened by disease he sprang to Its
rescue The sequel is heart rending,
but the heroism of the act will aIway
be fragrance in the memory OF the
brave Captain NeWS,