The New York herald., 1875-08-21
AN EXCURSION HORROR.
Four Persons Killed on the
Hudson River.
ONE LADY CRUSHED TO DEATH.
Fatality at a Pleasure Party on
Iona Island.
IoNA ISLAND. August 20. 1875

Iona ISLAND, August 90 1875.
Heartrending disasters occurred at this well known
Hudson River summer resort and picnic ground late
yesterday afternoon by which three persons if
not four lost their lives Four excursion parties came
here, in all numbering 1000 5000 men, women and
children The first to arrive was the steamer Long
Branch with two barges with Masonic and Odd Fellows
organizations on board from New York and Brooklyn
Then came the Wyoming with two barges from down
the river then the William Fletcher with barge, and
the Armenia also landed large number her up trip
All the day long the greatest enjoyment had with
out anything happening to the pleasant time; but
thrilling scenes be enacted on the departure
which the excursionists little dreamed Of and the vic
tins were to be among those who the steamer
Long Branch.
A LADY KILLED.
At about five O'Clock P NJ. it was supposed all
on board and the steamer and barges we're moving
slowly away from the dock amid the ringing of bells
and blowing OF whistles when suddenly the attention Of
the officers of the boat attracted to six
and lady standing the dock shouting for the boat
to stop so that they could get board. The engine
bell rung and the boat backed and then the bell
rung TO go ahead again. The barge the west side of
the steamer close to the dock and while she was
moving two of the men jumped board and
the third in the act of helping the
woman on DOard AS tne Eady Sprang 10 tho rail- sne
caught between the dock and barge crushed to
death almost instantly. Her shreks were most heart
rending for minute more, when she expired. The
gentleman in endeavorng to her had his right
crushed from tho elbow joint to the shoulder Both
were dragged board possible but their
names could not be ascertained the steamer moved
of Immediately. 1t is believed however, that the gen.
teman was member of the Keystone Lodge OF Odd
Fellows wherever that council located This terrible
affair seemed to the greatest excitement the
steamer and barges they moved off, but all on board
destined TO witness more thrilling
TWO MEN DROWNED
The vessels had got but little way out in the river
when four men came hurryng to the dock, one being
attired in the garb of policeman They anxious
regain their friends the steamer Long Branch. A
little boy, twelve or thirteen years of age, sat in
small by and said he would take them to
the steamer If they would hurry up Parties who saw
the belated excursionsts say that they were all in
toxcated They all rushed pell nell into the small
boat, and when the last one jumped in she was a
short distance from the dock, and his weight on one
side caused her to capsize, and four and the
boy were preciptated into the water Captain G. NJ.
Clark of the little steamer Eva, which plies between
Iona Island and Peeksk says that his vessel had Just
reached Iona Island. When the small boat was upset
q hawser thrown toward the in the water
The policeman was at that time struggling terrifcay
with of the drowning persons and it was thought
both would sink, but the policeman managed to seize
the hawser and, getting loose from his
dangerous companion, was dragged safely 10
shore. The line was then thrown to the
the officer had been struggling with The poor fell
low all out Of sight except the crown Of his head
and was seemingly unconscious and made no attempt to
seize the line Just then a small boat, which had put
from the shore, reached him, and he dragged
out of the water and carried to the dock and laid down
fhn nVIun mudn m
him. when he was heard TO whisper, 'Let me alone; I'll
be all right; but in fifteen minutes afterward he
and the third man had hold of the keel Another
small boat reached him, and he saved
boat upset until late hour last night when Crap
piers found the body, owed to shore and anchored TO
stake The little boy who was in the boat swan
steamer and hid himself in the hold
IDENTIFIED
Men at Peckskill say that the who died on the
dock fed with and lager after he was laid down
and was rolled about the dock His name from articles
found on him. is believed to have been John Matthews
and is thought that he resided No 43l West Thirty
seventh street. New York. He light felt hat had
tin type of himself and another man in his pocket and
there also found on him gold collar button pair
of plain gold sleeve buttons, silver watch and large
sgnet ring.
The body that fuOnd by the grapplcrs has yet
ACTION OF THE CORONER
Dr. Govan, Of Knights Corners, is the acting Coroner
and has taken charge of the remains and IL is supposed
that the examination of witnesses will reveal the names
and residences of the deceased IL is singular fact
that the officers of the Long Branch allowed their
boat proceed her way after knowing that
the men were drowned.
A CAPsIZED
After she had proceeded distance and when of
the south end of the island another small boat put out
from the shore, rowed by small boy in the other
case The boys passengers consisted of four and
woman all belated excursonsts, who wished 10 get
on board The steamer slowed and the boy pulled up to
the guard of the west barge. The passengers still
greatly excited by previous occurrences rushed TO one
side and the barge careened till her guards were sub
merged and the passengers set fearful screams and in
the excitement the boys small boat capsiZed and
all of his passengers preciptated in the river The
cries of 'man overheard" penetrated everywhere and
the 2, 900 excursionsts on the and the two
barges became frantic with excitement and ran about
wildly the boats careening and rocking the great
mass Of human beings swayed to and fro. The small
boats passengers struggled in the best they
could when finally, by dint of great exerons It is be-
eved all were rescued, though there to-day on
the island who say one Of the party drowned. Ii
that il is known only on board the Long Branch
COMING TO NEW YORK TRAIN.
The two men who were rescued from the first drown
ing accident crossed TO Peeksk and took late train TO
New York. In conversation at the station they said
they did not know the names Of the persons who were
drowned. Up to noon to-day person had arrived at
the island looking after claiming the remains of the
victims There IS great indignation expressed tho
fact that small boys allowed 10 handle the rowboats
here and the wonder is that disasters Of similar
hava not nrrcd