Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-06-03
GEN. O. e. BABCOCK DROWNED.
Levi p. Luckey and B. p. Sutter Perish
With Him.
THEIR BOAT SUPPOSED TO HAVE ovERTURNED IN TIE
SURF ON THE FLORIDA COAST-THE PARTICULARS
OF THE TRIP FROM BALTIMORE, ETC

THEIR BOAT SUPPOSED TO HAVE OVERTURNED IN TIE
SURF ON THE FLORIDA CoAsT-THE PARTICULARS
OF THE TRIP FROM BALTIMORE, ETC.
party, consisting of Gen. O. E. Babcock. B. P.
Sutter, Levi P. Luckey and W. II. Bailey, all of
this city, lett Baltimore on Monday the 18TH ult1mo,
bound for Mosquito inlet, on the eastern coast OF
Florida. They sailed in the sailing vessel Pharos
which is the tender OF the sixth lighthouse dis
tr1ct, and which was loaded with material for
the erection of lighthouse at Cape Cana
veral Owing to head winds they were
nine days in reaching Charleston, where
they run In to land Mr.. Bailey, who is superin-
tendent OF lamps under the District government,
and who only had ten days leave. The others
tnen pursued their trip: This morning telegram
was received by MI. j. ID. FranZoni, OF Gilman's
drug store, on the Avenue sent from Daytona
Volusla county. Fla, and signed by George D. Ben
lam1n, stating that Gen Babcock, B. P. Sutter and
Levi r Luckey were drowned at Mosquito Inlet,
anu thaI the body OF Gen. BaDcock had been recov-
cred The dispatch contained no further details.
WHAT MR. BAILEY SAYS.
STAR reporter saw Mr.. Bailey, the member Of
the party who has returned, and he stated that he
thought the calamity must have occurred Satur-
day or Sunday, as it is some distance overland to
Oaytona from the Inlet MIR. Bailey believes that
the party attempted to land in a boat from the
Pnaros, and In the surf, which Is always high at
that point, the boat must have been overturned
and the occupants lost Gen. Babcock was the en-
g1neer for the 5th and 9th lighthouse districts,
which include Florida, and was combining pleas
ure with business in the trip while the others
We're accompanying him purely for their enjoy
ment
NO OFFICIAL 1SFoRAArroS
OF the drowning OF Gen. Babeoek had been received
to-day at either the engineers office at the light
house board At the Office OF the latter, however
Capt. Picking received telephone message from
Cen BaocOck'S headquarters in Baltimore stating
that Mr. Bailey had received private telegram
from MI. Benjamin to the same effect as that sent
to MT Franzoni, except giving the date OF the
ualCy as SATURDAY last. The rpDrt Of fhg accident
spread about the city very rapidly, and as all the
victims OF the unfortunate accident well known
IN this city. inquiries for further information were
made In every direction.
GENERAL BABcoCK
was major In the engineer department, on duty
In the fifth lighthouse district which extends from
Maryland to Florida and 1t was while superirtend-
ing the erection OF lighthouse at MOSQUITO inlet
that the accident occurred. Gen. BabcocI viii be
especially remembered here as the military secre-
tary OF President Grant and as commissioner OF
tically President Grants private secretary from the
beginning OF his first administration until within
year OF the end OF his second term-about the time
OF the whisky ring troubles. He was succeeded by
U. 8. Grant, jr.
MR. LEVI P LUcKEY
was also associated with President Grant during
the same time. He was first made first assistant
secretary and subsequently appointed private Sec
retary. When he left the White House he was ap-
pointed at the head OF the Indian division OF the
secretary Of the Interiors Office. He was subse-
Quentlv appointed secretary OF Utah Territory by
Gen. Grant After few years he came east, and
was made the chief clerk Of Gen. Babcock's Office In
Baltimore.
BENJAMIN p SUFFER-.
The third person, who lost his life by this
casualty, was Benjamin P. Sutter, well known in
Washington, where he resided. He was employed
In Giman's drug store, under Mr.. Franzoni. He
was about forty-flve years old. and unmarried.
Mr. Benjamin, who first sent the news of the
accident, is q brOther-in-law of Mr. Luckey and is
connected with the light house service. General
BabcOck was at the head OF this unfortunate expe-
dtton, and 1t Is understood that Mr.. Luckey accom-
panied him to assist him. Mr. Suffers connection
with the party, 1t Is understood, was for pleasure
and at the same time he was to act as surgeon for
the party In case OF necessity.
GEN. BABCOCKS ARMY RECORD.
Gen. Orville E. Babcock was native OF Vermont,
from which state he was appointed to the military
academy. Graduating in 1861 he was appointed.
May g. 1861, second lieutenant of volunteers. and
made a first lieutenant in the following November
March 21St, 1867, assumed the rank OF major OF en-
g1neers. He was made lieutenant colonel OF VOL
unteers January list, 1863 brevetted colonel Fepr-
ary oath, 1865, and made brevet brigadier general
March 18th, 1865.
THE NEWS AT THE CAPITOL.
The news Of Gen. Babcock's sad death was re-
ceived at the Capitol with regret by many. His
nomination for lieutenant colonel OF engineers Is
pending now in the Senate.
District Government Affairs.
NEW BUILDINGS IN April.