The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-14

An Atlantic City telegram OF the 18th
saws. William II. Hamilton. for the past
five wears receiver OF the Hestonyille Pas
senger Railway Company, living at No.
SAL Lancaster avenue, West Philadelphia,
came 10 Atlantic City Sunday evening with
his wife and two children and registered
nj the Manhattan Hotel. Yesterday morn.
ing he started out alone TO 60 TO point
down the beach below town 10 witness the
target practice between tho Gatl,ng-Gun
Batteries OF Philadelphia and Camden. lie
was seen aftcrward. at about III O'Clock
Yesterday forenoon. by his wife, aud about
half an hour later for the last time by
Charles Maloney. son OF the proprietor OF
the hotel. During the day his wife
watched impatiently for his return, and
last evening she became greatly alarmed
for his safety. The people about the house
Instituted a search for him. which was kept
up all night; but II was without avail.
This morning NJ about Z O'Clock Frede-
rick W. Sobey, OF Absecom, while walk
ing across the Camden and Atlantic rail-
road bridge over a creek, two and half
miles. from here, heard noise beneath
him, and. looking down, saw man sitting
i'm the water. The man was holding in his
hands his coat. while upon beam OF the
bridge lav pocket-diary. The water in
the ditch is very shallow when the tide il
out but the tide at this time was running
in. and had already reached the mans
chin, and in a few minutes more his head
would have been submerged.
"Why don't you get out OF there ?"
asked Mr.. SObey.
After apparently great effort the man re-
spondcd: " | can't"
Mr. Sobey then succeeded in pulling him
out OF the water. and found him so weak
he couldn't stand. The man was brought
into town on a freight train and taken TO
the Central Station. Although he was still
unable to speak, it was soon learned he was
the missing man Hamilton. After receiv-
ing medical attention from DR.. BOardman
Reed he WAS removed TO the Manhattan
Hotel. where his distracted wife was
awaiting him. He made no response to
her almost frantic greeting. His terrible
night OF wandering and involuntary bap-
tIsm had deihroned his reason entirely.
lie had evidently exercised all his fast
failing strength in keeping his head above
water all through the terrible night. He
was conscious, but too weak TO help him
self. This afternoon n representative Of
the Times saw Mr.. Hamilton in his room.
He was still speeches., although appa-
rently semi-cOnscious. His eyes were wide
open and vacantly staring. His flesh was
blue and cold, though every effort was be-
ing made TO warm him. His left hand was
tightly clcnched. and could not be opened.
He was covered with scratches from head
10 foot. and his disordered clothing showed
that he bad had rough time Of it. His
watch was stopped ut 1l:45. indicating that
ne must have fallen in the water at some
time before that hour last night.
Mrs. Hamilton said that he had been
badly overworkcd for year or two past.
His duties a. receiver Of the road had kept
him long hours, and lie had suffered some
five weeks ago a severe attack OF nervous
prostration. Ii was at the advice Of ply
sicians that they had come here to seek the
rest and quiet necessary for his recovery.
The noise OF the artillery practice had evil
IDENTITY still further shattered his nerves and
unsettled his mind. After she had seen
HIM yesterday morning she regretted that
she had not taken him home, rs his mind
seemed TO be wandering before he started
out. Mr.. Hamilton is about thirty years OF
age. While his wife was speaking IIamil-
ton fixed his eyes upon the reporter and
evidently OWNED the subject OF the con-
versation.
After some ten minutes spent at attempt
Ing to speak he managed to say 81 fell in
a hole" The effort completely exhausted
him. He is really in critical condition.
His physicians say his recovery depends
very largely upon getting him out OF the
chill he is in. The terrible exposure OF be-
Ing without food for more than twenty-four
hours and OF being immersed in the cold
salt water ten hours at least would tell ter
ribly on a man in good health, and il will
be a surprise il it does not result fatally in
his ease. He will be taken to his home, in
West Philadelphia, so soon as he can stand
the tourney.