Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-06-05
SAD ACCIDENTS.
The Perils of Pleasure BoatinS-Engulfed in
an Eddy Under tho Wabank Dam on
the COnestOga

the COnestoga
o'clock Alfred L. Spccht, a member of the
senior class of students at the state nor
NAL school, Millersville, was drowned in
the Conestoga creek, just below the
Wabank dam. 1t appears that MIR. Specht,
accompanied by H. P. Aston and w.
Henderson, were enjoying boat ride in a
small rOw-bOat. The creek was high and
the current swift. A magnificent sheet of
water was rushing over the dam and roar
ing and foaming below. Mr.. Specht pro-
posed to his companions to row close up
to the dam. They refused to comply,
regarding it as dangerous but they
finally consented to 60 ashore and allow
him to make the venture alone. He did
SO and as he approached the dam his little
boat danced like 4 feather upon the angry
waters, and being caught in tho return
current was sucked in under the very
breast of the dam, aud struck and capsiz,
cd by the heavy sheet of water that was
flowing over it. Specht struggled to get
out of the eddy in which ne was engulfed,
but in vain while his horror stricken
companions stood upon the shore
and saw him drowning and were
unable to render him the least
assistance, as they had neither boat,
ropes nor any other appliance with which
to aid him. They called loudly for help,
and finally some fishermen reached the
spot with 4 boat, but not less than twenty
minutes elapsed before tho young mans
body was taken from tho water. lie was
to all appearance dead, though efforts
were made to resuscitate him, and mes
senger was dispatched to Millersville for
medical aid. DR.. O. T. Huebner, of this
city, a trustee of the normal school, hap
pencd to be in Millersville and fastened to
the scene. Renewed efforts at resuscitation
We're made, but they we're of no avail the
limbs were rigid and cold in death. The
body was removed to Millersville and the
coroner notified. Last night at 10 O: clock
he held an inquest, at which the testimony
was substantially as stated above, and the
jury rendered a verdict Of accidental
drowning.
Alfred L. Specht was son of Rev. j. c..
Specht, pastor of the Evangelical church at
Allentown, and formerly pastor ut Millers-
vile and Mannheim. He was not quite 20
years Of age was a young man of more
than ordinary attainments, and of ir-
reproaohable character. He stood near the
| head of his class in the normal school and
at the ensuing commencement would
have graduated with honor. He was be-
| loved by his class mates, who express
great surprise at the now apparent reck-
| lessness of his last boating venture for
though he was known to have great
determination and fearlessness, he possess
cd cool he1d and good Judgment, and
was moro given to literary than athletic
pursuits and was an ardent and cnthusias.
tic leader III the prayer meetings and
other religious exercises.
His father was at once notified by telc-
graph of the sad death of his son. and
came Oh last night to take the remains
away for burial. They were taken this
morning to Obey, about twelve miles from
Reading, where the interment will take
place on Wednesday forenoon. A delega-
tiOn of the senior class of the normal
school will attend the funeral and act as
pail bearers.
"A Roy Dies From Railroad injuries.
On Saturday afternoon William Stouffer,
a lad aged fourteen, son of Widow Stout
fer, housekeeper for Mr.. Arther Bennett,
of the firm of Bennett & Haldeman, of
Marietta, attempted to jump on freight
train between Marietta and Watts station,
and was thrown under the cars, crushing
one Of his legs. DIR. Craig, the p. r. r.
company's physician, residing at Columbia
was notified Of the accident by telephone
and responded promptly. lie found i,
necessary to amputato the boys leg neal
the body, but he died about II O'Clock or
Saturday night.
Former Lancaster County Man Killed.
On Friday, Henry Croft, of Chatham
Chester county, while breaking colt wa:
which passed over him injuring him tt
such an extent that he died in short
time. Mr.. Croft was formerly resident
of Providence township, and he removed
to Chatham but a few years ago. He was
a son Of Jacob Croft, deceased, and was
about so years Of age. He leaves wife
and large family Of children.