Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1884-02-06

COLLISION OF CoAsT1NG PARTIES IN
RURAL RAvINE-SLEDs WRECKED
AND HUMANITY NAMED.

1rvingtOn- on Hudson has been
shocked by terrible "coasting' ac-
oident. The steep declivities which
abound in the neighborhood Of this
charming village have made it attrac-
tive to great many young ladies' and
gentlemen who find pleasure in skim
ming over the frozen surface of the
glisteniug snow, 10 the mid winter
months, when the snowfall has been
p lentiful, The residents of Irvington
have sent invitations 10 their young
friends in New York city, and even at
greater distances, to visit them. The
promptitude with which the guests
Invariably arrive establish the won
droDs fascination of the sport known
as "coasting."
The "sleds" or ''dinkies" which are
e mployed are made of long strips Of
two inch plank, to the bottom of
which are fastened ordinary barrel
slaves. Frequent use Of these vehio =
les over a frozen surface renders the
runners or slaves so smooth that high
rate of speed is attained. There have
been instances where the velocity has
been greater than mile a minute.
The larger sleighS, which have been
given the name of double rippers,"
are capable of bearing away twenty
and thirty merrymakers at a time,
with ample room for the gentlemen
who sits in front and guides them on
their swift. and perilous journey. Fol
the purpose Of adding 10 the excite
ment which is an inseparable feature
of he ride, frequent mounds inter.
rupt the descent, and when the "dou =
BILE DECKER encounters one of these
it shoots into the air with its cargo
of human freight and returns to the
suow with bump that gives the in
experienced riders a general shakln g
up.
Until recently the mishaps have
been of an amusing character, but
within the past month there has been
considerable damage done. Several
young ladies have been hurled from
their positions, and in two or three
Instances serious physical injury has
been sustained.
Two joyous parties started upon a
cOasting expedition yesterday from
opposite hilltops overlooking a dee p
ravine. A stretch Of timber land inter-
rupted their view beyond it. and
neither party, therefore, was aware
of the others intention to start. Each
party numbered exactly thirteen per-
sons. The track was recognized as
the swifteSt in the vicinity of Irving
ton. and care had been taken TO have
the "dOuble decker" perfectly trust
worthy. The par ties were made up
of ladies and gentlemen well known
in the neighborhood. Several of them
were young lovers, who anticipated
the thrilling experience through
which they were about to pass with a
sense Of exquisite pleasure.
By some sad fatality the sleds were
let 60 at almost the same moment.
They shot down the steep hillside
with the speed of the wind. The lit
tie screams Of the ladies aud shouts
of the men which came with the first
shock Of departure subsidized as the
sleds went bounding over the snow.
The speed they soon attained was
terrible, and the riders held their
breath as they vaulted over the
mounds in swift succession and reach
ed the hard road-bed which led, in
uninterrupted crispness, to the ravine
at the foot of the hill. The declivi-
ties became moro abrupt a, the excur-
siOnists skinned along, and they were
whirled by trees and fences with start
ling velocity. They were still uncou-
scious of the death trap ahead, and
when they at last reached the level
road-bed ringing shouts went up from
the delighted riders.
The echoes Of their triumphant vol.
ces were still pursuing each other
through the trees when the merry.
makers caught sight of each other.
In vain tho steerers of the respective
sleds tried to turn their course 80 that
they might pass each other in safety.
Their efforts came too late. The
stubborn sleds, refused to be swerved
from their course, and in another mo-
ment collided with fearful and muir
derous force. The huge double deck
ers' were shivered into atoms, and the
road was strewn with the mangled
forms of the jewellers. The surface
of the road was dyed with blood and
the ravine echoed the walls Of the
wounded and dying.
Assistance was soon at hand, and
every effort made to relieve the suffer
Ing Of the luckless excursionists. John
Pope, Henry j. Kelly, James ByrOes,
James Holder and Miss Elizabeth
Busch were carried from the scene as