The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1884-09-15
NEARLY DROWNED.
Ehs Narrow Escape Of sIx Young Ladie
from Watery Graves. git

HNFo" escape OF nix Young Lndis
g,r. from Watery Graves. gii
,BRowS's Nils, Nj, September 49,
I Six young women, not one OF whom coul,
swim, struggled helplessly and franticall
to-day in the beautiful lake here, ,wher
the water Is twenty feet deep. A strong
armed, braye-hear.ed priest and courage
Gus young Philadelphian risked their live
several times to save those Of the drown
Ing girls, and in this they were successful
A number Of jolly young people held
picnic this morning ut the head OF tn,
lake! Six ,,of the young ladies, member
o. the party, by name. Laura Prickitt, MAY
kellyS Theresa Cook, Allie Riley, kats
Graham and Katie Riley, all living a
Mount Holly, wandered down FROM the
camping ground to the edge OF the lake
and watched with envy q boat laden with
several OF theirfriends start from the shore
and glide over the water, propelled by the
sturdy arms OF two young men. Tied to
I stake near by was another rowboat.
allss Prlckltt suggested after awhile that i,
would be great tun for them to show the
rest ,ot the party that they were not de.
pendent upon the young men fora row on
the lake, and proposed that they should
srt;intn the boat and paddle their own
canoe" yf ID. tl.,5,,! s. ,l!eI :
None Of the girls could row, to be sure,
but with, much jesting and laughter they
finally determined to climb into the boat.
Several OF them made move to sit on
the side OF the boat, when It suddenly
turned completely over, ,emptying its living
freight into the deep lake. As they were
plunged into the water, six piercing
shrieks rent the air and startled the picnic
party on the bank. Rev. Robert Burke. a
Catholic priest Of Mount Holly, and F. 4.
Fairchild, OF Sl5 South Fifth Street, Phila-
Ielphia, were walking along the shore.
The priest took in the situation at glance,
and, as quick as thought, ut the same
time directing his companion, removed
portion OF his clothing and plunged into
the lake, closely followed by Fairchild.
With rapid strokes the two men swan
towards the drowning girls, who were
nearly exhausted already. Father Burke
with each lusty stroke encouraged the
girls with his voice in their efforts to keep
a1oat. In less than minute after the
boat upset, he and Fairchild had each
.rasped one Of the girls and swan with
his burden to the boat, which was floating
near by, bottom upward. Bidding them
hold fast to it, the two men swan out
again and brought two others safely to the
capsized craft. Ii5s
BY the time they had succeeded in
bringing the fifth girl, Miss Allie Riley, to
the boat, both the priest and the young
tnllaueiphmn We're nearly exhausted.
,Wearied and breathless they clung for an
instant to the boat. The rescued girls
cried out to them to save Miss Graham,
who was seen to GO down for the last time
q few yards away. The priest, who could
hardly hold himself above the water, 50
exhausted had he become, let 90 his hold
on the boat and swan painfully to the spot
where the girl had sunk from sight. He
dove beneath the surface 1t seemed ike
IN age to those clinging to the boat before
he reappeased, bearing the dying girl in
his arms. - 7.s,..- r
Holding her head above the surface
with one arm, he slowly swan to the boat
with her and managed to hold on until
assistance arrived from the shore. The
young women and their rescuers were
lifted into the newly arrived boat and
brought safely to the shore. Restoratives
were applied and dry clothing procured, ;,
and in short time all had almost entire
ly recovered from the accident. Father
Burke and Mr.. Fairchild are the heroes of
the hour. ff55e-is a sS5.l