Daily Republican., 1884-06-20
THE GERMAN EXCURSION,
THE PLEASURE SPOILED BY THE
DROWNING OF ONE OF THE
EXCURSIONISTS.

The excursion of the several German
Societies of this city to Augustine Pier,
on Thursday, on the steamer Thomas
Clyde, was attended by over 800 persons
and was a very pleasant affair,u to $3.50
o'clock, when further pleasure was
brought to close by the drowning OF one
of the excursionists. The boat left Fourth
street wharf At 100 o'clock, and after
stopping at New Castle and Delaware
City, arrived ut Augustine Pier shortly
after 9 o'clock.
Music was furnished by the First
Regiment Band and dancing was the
main feature of the day. The refresh
ment stand was in charge of Henry
Blouth, both on the boat and in the
park. About $50 o'clock in the after
noon the pleasure of the excursionists
was brought to sudden close by the
drowning Of Gustavus Hackbarth, one
of the committee of arrangements, the
particulars Of the sad affair being about
rs follows;
The unfortunate man, in company
with his brother-in-law, Joseph Sell,
ana Charles YetGer, went into bathe at a
point opposite the Pier House. The
parties dashed into the stream intent
upon having a good time. Hackbarth
showed signs Of being venturesome,
but was warned not to go out too far,
but being able to swim he proceeded on
out into the river.
When he reached the point where the
old pier formerly stood, he suddenly
disappeared, hut soon arose to the
surface and began to call for assistance.
His companions endeavored Ito reach
him, but be sank a second and third
time before they could reach him, as d
swift tide was running at the time.
When he arose to the surface d second
time his cries were heart.rending and
caused wild excitement, among many
of the excursionists who saw him
struggling in the water, from points on
lthe boat and along the shore. He sank
for the third time and disappeared
when the alarm was given and every
effort made to rescue the body, but
without success. as it was no doub1
carried up the stream by the swift flow
ing tide.
Charles E. Sparks of this city and s
number of Port Penn fisherman search
ed for the body with hooks and nets bu
were unable to discover it, and thu
search had to be abandoned.
) 1t is supposed that Hackbarth wa
seized with cramps, which caused
t him to drown so quickly. He was &C
. companied by his wife and 16-yea
old daughter, whose grief, at the sat
4 fate of the husband and father, wa
hsartrending in the extreme. Deceaset
was German by birth, aged about q
" years and shoemaker by trade. Il
: resided at No. All French street.
III He was member of the Germal
y Turner's, the Harugari, Heptasophs an
y III. 0. O. F. Without his support tn
family are left unprovided for, but vii
q not be allowed to suffer, by tie man
friends of the deceased, who at ono
- started subscription for the family
4 Charles Yetter and Eli !Crozier tf ok th
v matter in hand and soon succeeded !
W raising nearly $40 on the homewar
y trip. The work will he continued unit
sufficient sum is collected to place h
= family beyond want for some tim
y, y, Subscriptions can be left at Mr.. Yetter
h place of business, al No. 314 Mark'
street.
Is A party of gentlemen, headed /
y Joseph Stoeckle and Charles Spark
~ with his graphing irons, went dow
u u to Port Penn this morning, for the pu
:. pose of making an active search for tt
IS body.