San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1882-07-20
OVER A PRECIPU E.
,,,,Is Termination OF a Pleasure Trip.
Alta California.

chose perils it seems strange that more
,..rsllers do not fall victims. A coach
,..wu Inv tur horses and containing
,wslve persons beside the driver fell
over precipice 200 feet high, three
ladies' and one gentleman being almost
instantly killed, while some of the
others are probably fatally injured.
IN, names of the deceased, all from
Gan Francisco, are George Scott, Eva
Hussey, Ida Cowdery and Celia Clark.
,NILL FATED PLEASURE PARTY.
large number of San Francisco
,sople are camping near to Eel
ton which is near the Big Tree grove
and seven miles and half from the
town of Santa Cruz. All went well at
camp until Friday night. There was
nroposed moonlight ride to Santa
Cruz, where dance was to take place,
Init this was objected to by many of
the party, as the mountain road was
known to be very steep and dangerous;
however, a party of twelve started on
the frolic which terminated so fatally.
A hay wagon and four horses were Sc
cured at FELTON,, in which six ladies and
six gentlemen left the camp early in the
evening. On the way slight accident
happened to the wagon, but it was
patched up. After the dance and a
general good time at Santa Cruz an
other. team was secured and the party
started on the return trip. About two
miles from the camp on the county
road, over which they travelled, there
was particularly dangerous point.
The road has been cut along the side
of the mountain and ut the point it is
narrow and made of planking. It
runs also on the verge of precipice,
several hundred feet high, overlooking
the boisterous stream known as San
Leandro creek. This roadway is so
narrow that there is room for one vehl-
Gle only, provision being made at stated
intervals for teams to pass one another.
FRIGHTENED TEAM.
It was about l o'clock when the party
reached this place. 1t was very dark,
the moon having set, being then
in its first quarter. In some unaccount-
able manner the driver lost control of
the forward span of horses. The
others became unmanageable, and,
backing wildly, the entire outfit, horses,
stage and thirteen persons in it,
went down over precipice, distance
of about ninety. feet, into the ravine
below. The stage was demolished, and
two of tho horses were instantly killed,
or died soon after, and four of the par
ty were also killed and several serious.
ly injured. Those of the party who
were uninjured crawled out from the
wrecked stage as soon as. possible and
set about extrecating their companions.
The cries of the horses and groans of
the wounded persons were terrible to
hear. Two of the party set out imme-
diately to obtain medical aid, but, not
knowing the locality, wandered about
in the woods. About half hour after
the accident two wood-choppers, en-
camped near by, hearing the cries of
the wounded, came to their assistance.
One of them, familiar with the country,
set out for FELTON, for aid. Rousing the
occupants of several houses he secured
their willing help, and, obtaining ply
sicians, relief party reached the scene
of the accident about four o'clock this
morning.
LIST OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED.
When an examination was made, it
was discovered that four of the party
were killed, as already stated, namely:
Geo. Scott, son of ex-Supervisor Scott
Of this city; Eva Hussey, Ida Cowdery,
daughter of City and County Attorney
Cowdery, and Celia Clark.
The following were found insensible,
and it is found that their injuries are
fatal: Ben. Burling, William Mockbee
and J. D. Barth. Burling is badly
bruised about the head. Miss Davis,
daughter of A. G. Davis, president of
the South Pacific Coast railroad of this
city, was also in the wagon, but escaped
With slight bruises.