Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1877-08-03

the auspices OF the Perrysburg Eemperane'
Union, Wednesday, proved greater sue
cess in point Of numbers and financially
than was anticipated. The ride on the
Morning Star was enjoyed by all, as we'll as
the picnic dinner and the vaSkus game'
and amusements INDUCED ~ NJ Presque
Isle. About 300, old and young, were
present TO enjoy the occasion, and every.
thing passed off pleasantly until near four
o'clock, when the party we're boarding the
boat to continne the excursion around the
Light House and return home. A spright-
ly team, attached TO lumber wagon, was
engaged in hauling the iee-eream, fce aud
other refreshments to the boat. The driver
passed in on the narrow dock to the
side OF the boat, distance Of about forty
yards, and had his load all on the boat ex-
cept one freezer full Of ice-cream, when the
whistle was blowA to hurry up those who
were lingering back on the grounds. AT
the first sound Of the whistle the horses
reared, and surging to the right broke the
tongue Of the wagon, clambered back
pnrtly over it, got head for the shore and
ran ut lightning speed dragging the wagon
after them. The dock was but little wider
than tlIe wagon track, rRd some fifteen or
twenty persons were passing on il from
the shore at the time. In almost an in
stant the dock was cleared from the boat
to the shore. Those on the side next the
water had TO jump in to save themselves
from the flying team, and these on the
other side jDmped on a pile Of drift-wood
and logs, while those near shore ran back
II appeared like miraculous escape from
instant death to some and the manning of
manr others. Mr.. GEO. PITCHER and wife,
of Haskins, were nearest the boat. She
jumped in the water To save herself FROM
the running team and he jumped immedi.
ately after TO save her from drowning.
A few steps further back, Mrs, Joan
CRANKER iumped into the river, and still
further along Mrs. WM. VEBER aud Mr..
CHAs. Z. ELLIS, of Plain, we're knocked in
the water by Aging two.mclt plank that
composed part of the wagon-b0x. Near
where they left the dock, Mr. EDWIN ]
I1LAlb, VI 4 lulug hHOEhGu uOWH ana
the wagon pnsscd over him, the tire Of Que
the wheela cutting q severe gIsh on the
under part of the chin. Nearly opposite,
Mrs. EMMETT WEST, Mr.. II. II. CuRR1ER,
and two or three Others looked us though
they had been partially driven down with a
spilc-driver into the drift-wood and sand.
II was but Il moment after the team had
passed before Mr.. Weber, EDDIE O'CoNNoR
and WILLIAM DONALDSON jumped in the
water 10 assist the three ladies out. Had
it been known Mt the time, that no one was
missing, killed or severely injured, the pic.
ture presented would have been a little lu-
dicrouS, but all was excitement until this
was known. The coolest one of the part =
was Mira PITCHER. She looked as grace.
ful in the water as n we'll balanced buoy
Her husband, who is six feet high, was n
few feet nearer shore, where he could stand
on terra fr'mu and keep his neck tie lust
above water. In thiS position he held his
wife from sinking beneath the surface
while she held her parasol and ticket in
one hand, above her head, to keep them
from getting wet. She had Just taken the
ticket from her pocket To hand to those tax.
ing tickets as the passengers passed on the
boat, and it was we'll preserved through all
the excitement. On being helped on the
dock she laid it down aud said, "There is
my ticket |"
Tn rough the presence Of mind of Mr.
JOHN MILLER, the little daughter Of Mr.
j. ). PARKHURsT was snatched from the
jaws OF death. She was in position to be
crushed between the wagon and the boat
when grabbed by Mr.. NJ, who was collect.
ing tickets.
All were soon safely on the dock and
aboard the boat, when il was ascertained
that none were missing asd none seriously
/ injured, Mrs. WEBER and Mr.. ELLIS burc
slight bruises where struck by the plank
The ladies were cared for and furnished
dry clothing by others who had an extra
supply along, and the boat struck out for
the light house and from there home where
all safely arrived happyin the thought that
the accident resulted so favorably. The
wagon was scattered over distance of 200
yarda, II complete wreck, and the team came
30 sudden halt by trying TO pass OF two
sides Of II large Linden" tree, neither
apparently hurt but terribly scared.
The refreshments were served by Mcssrs
EMMET WEST and JOE HILLARRAND, and
had the accident not destroyed about Slz
worth of ice.cream they would have had &
profitable day of il. Notwithstanding the
low price of tickets the Union will realize
between $50 and S25 from the excursion
and it was clearly demonstrated that all
could enjoy an occasion Of this kin1, with
out the presence or aid of alcohol in any
form.