The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-05-08


boat Urskr AND TWO YoUNG MEN DROWNED
IN ATTEMPTING 10 SAVE Tbs LIFE OF
YOUNG LADY.
IRs,eirh Observer OF Yesterday
Early Yesterday morning a merry party
~ about fifty persons, members OF the
Lodge or Good Tempisrs, went out on
their annual picnic TO Penny's pond, i've
miles southwest OF the city.
Among the party were Beauregard
Croker, sou OF the late Alscy Croker, a
youth some twenty years OF age. who was
cmnloyed 1T the store OF John W. Upchui CHI,
ON north Msrket street With him was John
II NcMilsn, a youth Of about tho same age,
Tho son OF Or. W. q. Mcmillan, veterinary
surgeon, who was employed as a machinist
81 the shops Of Cooper, Newsom Heart,
on West street. These two young mon,
soon after arriving al the pond, went out in
one AZ the small boats, accompanied by Miss
Annie Mitchell, Young lady some siX-
ircn wears OF age, the daughter OF THOMAS
Mitchell. Of this city. The young men pad
.tr,i 10 The head OF the pond, and were re-
farming 10 The dam, when the boat ran on a
sunni. whose top was just below tic sur
face OF the water. II stopped the boat and
the two men made several efforts To push II
of. Using the paddles for that purpose.
Suddenly the boat capsized and It's three
occupants were thrown into the water.
Miss Mitchell struggled 10 avoid sinking,
and both Croker and MCMILLAN, who were
excellent swimmers, went 10 her aid.
Croker first reached her, and she grssped
him tightly. In few moments Mcmillan
reached her, and she chung TO him also. The
Two we're So intent on saving her that they
Thought not Of themselves, and made heroic
Efforts TO carry her towards the bank, which
-. 4, q. tsgl oil a
them so tightly and in such way that they
we're unable TO have the free use OF their
limbs, which was so necessary. The result
was that after she had been brought little
nearer the land the strength of the two
gave out. and both, with the young lady,
sank. MIR. Croker was the tir,t TO become
entirely exhausted from mis- heroic efforts
10 save the lady, and finally sunk for the
last time.
About 900 wards away from the scene
az the froxring a boat was moOred, in
which sat Charles Jordan, LEY Rogers,
and a small boy, all Of this city. They
were alarmed by the cries OF the drowning
men for help, and, hastily releasing the
boat from its iasteningS, went 10 the bend
e The pond. whence the cries came. When
ineg came near, they saw the boat bottom
upward, and the head of the young lady Just
going beuealh the water for the last time.
Croker and Mcmillan were both out Of
sight, having finally sunk several seconds
before Mr.. Jordan, the moment the
boat arrived over the exact spot, saw Miss
Mitchell sinking, and dived at Il blue bow
in her hlir, which could be seen IN the
water. He caught the drowning girl by
her long bair, and was able TO return 10 the
suIf,ce with her. Both he and Rogers
then placed her in the boat with much ef-
fort, and she was taken 10 the shore. At
tCmpts at TeSU>cilatIOn proved OF good ef-
feet, and she was soon brought back TO con-
scOuSness.
While some OF the party were rendering
Der this aid others were making efforts TO
reach the bodies Of the two noble young
men who had lost their lives in the attempt
TO save her. The wster was dozen feet
in depth. and very cold, but several persons
Owed repeatedly for the bodies. Finally
both were recovered by :. NJ. Parrish and
brought 10 land All attempts to restore
them 10 life, and many were made, proved
unayailing. and the two faces remained
PLACID in deaths sleep.
Coroner Richardson went out TO The pond
aud summoned jury from those present.
After viewing the remains. according to
law, the further inquest was postponed
until to-day at ii O'Clock.
At $3.50 in the afternoon the dead men
were brought back 10 the city, the entire
party accompanying. AS the long hue OF
vehicle, following the ambulance which
bore the corpses passed up Fayetteville
street the scene was one OF the saddest ever
witnessed here. 1t was an eXcmpliiication
OF the extremes Of human Joy and sorrow.
Those who in the early morn had gone out
in merry array returned in the evening a
funeral procession.