The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-09-04
LOCAL MATTERS.
A FATAL FALL.
The Fearful Consequences Of an Attempt tC
Steal Into n Picnic OH Mayo's Islaud.

Last night the POcahOntas Social Club.
composed mostly Of members OF the I'M
proved order OF Red Men, gave a picnic
on MayO's Island. This is a very pleasant
/ spot. and has lately been much used as a
picnic resort. Ii can only be reached by
way OF MayO's bridge or by boats. and u
close lookout will always prevent this lat
ter method. Notwithstanding the eXclu-
siveness Of the place some young men have
been making their way 10 the entertain
mentS given there in most hazardous
manner, and while attempting the trick
last night, one OF them, named Thomas
johnson. met his death.
ON the right-hand side'Of the bridge. at
the point where it first touches The island,
stands brick tenement two stories high.
II is an old building, and has been stand
ing so long that it has witnessed the raising
of the grade OF the bridge. 1t is a curious
structure, and under the present arrange
ment of construction Of the bridge the
caves Of the building are only few feet
from the level Of The bridge. On the three
sides Of the building not facing the bridge
balcony extends, the top OF which Is
covered with old mOth-eaten and moss
covered shingles. The roof Of thi, balcony
| is supported by an occasional post, resting
on Stouter supports which reach up from
| the island below. From the tOpOf the roof
70 the ground below is perhaps a distance OF
| forty feet. The plan adopted by the young
men heretofore has been 10 scale the post
al the bridge and reach the roof OF the bal
conv-a feat easily accomplished. The next
thing was to move to point midway on
the western slope OF the balcony, and,
reaching down to post, sllde to the island
! beneath. Last night about $50 O'Clock
two OF the young men made the descent
safely, but when Johnson essayed the yen-
ture he missed his hold and fell the entire
distance OF forty feet. his head striking a
! large granite boulder on the island, close
TO the rivers bank, with such force
| that his brains were knocked ont and
! instant death produced. The wound was
on the right side OF the head, and while
the brains ooZed from the apertures in the
head the surface Of the skin was not
| broken. From the eyes, ears, and nose the
blood flowed in a wide stream copiouSly
down the bank into the waters Of the
river. dyeing them for a considerable dis
tance with 4 sanguirary hue.
As soon as his companions discovered his
condition they gave the alarm. but il was
found that death had been instantaneous,
and the next thing was TO send for the
Coroner, DR.. W llliam II. Taylor. who, upon
viewing the body, deemed an inquest un-
necessary.
The unfortunate young man was about
twenty-five years Of age, and was employed
as engineer at the Southern Fertilizine
| Company's WORKS. He resided on Main
street opposite the Old Market, and leaves
a sister and a brother, the latter being en-
eineer on the tug-boat Henry Christian.
He was neatly dressed. and had on his per
son 81. 30 in currency and gold watch and
chain. The managers of the picnic deeply
deplored the accident, and were in nowise
responsible for its occurrence. The body
was taken in charge by friends, and viii be
| buried to-day.