New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-01
THE DEATH OF CAPTAIN WEBB.
A TALK WITH THE SWIMMERS WIFE.
HER CONFIDENCE IN HER HUSBANDS PowERs-THE
.e6 INQUEST
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.l

,u INQUEST.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrBUSE.l
BUFFALO, July 31.-The observed of all OBJ
eervers at Niagara Falls to-day the widow OF Cap
tain Webb She arrived there last night accompanied
by Mr. Kyle TO attend inquest upon her husbands
body Before admission could be had TO the cemetery
vault this morning the proceeded TO the whirlpool
When they reached the bank, which good Wow OF
the maestrom could be Obtained Mrs Wee0 exclaimed:
"why, there 10 nothing there that my MAT couldn't
do" she subsequently examined the rapids, and came
to the conclusion that husband them safety
but met his death by coming in contact with jagged
rocks the mouth OF tho whirlpool
Mrs. Webb is only twenty four years OF ago,
is small in stature and has a refined ap-
pearance. In conversation with reporter she
she had been married to Captain Webb three
years, during which time they had travelled large
portion OF Europe She TO America last May and
since lived a cottage Nantasket Beach, in
Boston HarbOr She said she had implicit confidence in
Captain webbs Judgment; aud when he talked OF swim
ming the Niagara she raised objection. The widow
stated that her possessions limited consisting
almost entirely OF sl 800 In pig per cent ccnsols.
The report Of the burial OF Captain WeDbs body yes
terday In the Pouers Field Incorrect Tee story
founded tue fact that tue grave had been dug and
the Board Of Health recommended that The burial take
place. The body still In the cemetery vault this
morning, but not clothed In the much-ta ked.of
suit OF black. nor did 1t In
polished coffin.
Immediately after returning from the rapids Mrs.
Webb went the cemetery. She urged spare
herself the pain which inspection OF the remains
wond cause but she could not be dissuaded Her nrst
exclamation when the sneeJ removed was, "Ol,
that Is not my Mat" She discovered her mistake
and then 1t all escort cOul1 10 10 her
from the vault. the atmospnero OF which was sitting
Mrs. Webb consented to permit the body TO be buried
until fall. when 1t is believed that It will
be in better condition for removal II IL under
stood that 1t will be taken to Nantaskct
Beach England. "I intend TO live permanently In
America" Mira. Webb said 10 The TRIBUNE corcspOn-
dent d" But clrcuIn stances may arise TO maze me
change my mind Two children left fithcress by
the Captains death. One s BOY two years ana the
other Is u gIr OF eIgnt months Tue 0oy ~ a perfect
image OF his father We left Liverpool the 1894 OF
last May Mr. Webb had 5000 for bis first weeks work
at Nantasket. On his return from Niagara he TO
receive ~ 900 week When lac returued frOm nis st
visit rapids told the danger had been greatly
exaggerated. In fact the Ann rcans, said. had not
much Of an 0es OF water deny the report that
tried to dssuade birn from the swim lie expect 10
LOOKING forward to prosperous time lie full Of
confidence. IL Uf his pct sayings that q man
cOuid i've Ia surf where boat would die | am oernln
he would have succeeded nad he been thrown
q rock some OF her Obstruction"
The COrOners returned the following verdict 6i5
ths evening" I'VE find that Captain Mathew Webb
TO death while attempting 10 swim the whirlpool
rapids OF the Niagara RIVER he immediate cause Of
hls death the jury are uDao!e to dotsrmlne"