The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1884-10-09
Drowning of Harry Taylor.

We have heretofore noticed the sad
death of Mr.. Harry Taylor, son of Mr.. D.
f. Taylor, residing near Rankin S Factory,
in this county, by drowning on the 18th of
Sept, in Grand river, Colorado. Mr.. ID.
F. Taylor, as soon as he was notified of the
death Of his son, proceeded to Grand
Junction, and to him we are indebted for
a copy of the Grand junction Neus, dated
on the Goth. In it is given full account
of the parties, the drowning, and the deep
sorrow which prevailed that community
on the occasion. From it we extract the
following: 5as q
The firm of Taylor & Coghill is famil-
lar sound in this city-dating as it does
from our earliest days. Every one knew
them both, either in a business way OF So
cially. A change of business did not
change their business relations, and they
were known as much by their firm name
as by their individual names, and in some
ways more. On Monday morning last they
made their preparations, together with
Miss Reed, to go out to their cattle ranch.
They were about town jolly and strong,
full OF life and hope and eager to be about
eAiOiL -uuoiitCoo.s L uCy otCtlp cQ9 AWAY Ill
company with Miss Re ed in the early fore
noon. and their hearty good byes had
hardly been said, when the awful words
were passed from lip to lip that in cross
ing Grand river the entire party had been
engulfed and carried down to instant
death. -9.t2 3 tOlF's
The news spread quickly and the first
arrivals on the ground found sad confirma-
ton OF the report in the wet and exhausted
horses which, riderless, were gaining the
shore at different places. A large crowd
quickly gathered in helpless agony and
could do nothing but look at the angry
river which held from sight the bodies cf
three of our fellows. g 80 ~ ---a =
From an eye witness of the tragedy we
learn the following particulars Of the
drowning:
The party.rode into the river abreast
Mr. Taylor farthest up stream, Miss Reed
next and Mr.. Coghill last, forming on
either side guard for the lady. The river
was much higher than they expected
Their horses lost their footing and began
to swim. The awful force of the river
could not be overcome and they were rap
idly going over the big rifle at that point.
Miss Reed appeared to become frightened.
Her horse tried to get by CoghilPs in Or
der to go with the current She realized
the danger and threWlup her hands, Mr.
Coghll reached around to catch her horse.
In doing 50 he pulled slightly on his own
and both horses and riders were plunged
together over the rifle, Mr.. Taylor see
ing this let 90 the horse he was leading
and attempting to turn his horse to 60 to
their assistance, he, too, was overcome and
went down in the seething flood. MI.
Coghill and Miss Reed never appeared
above the surface after they went down.
Miss Reed was heavily dressed and clad in
a weighted riding habit which dragged her
down MI. Coghill was probably killed by
a blow from Miss Reeds horse as they
went down. Mr. Taylor came up clinging
to his horse, and attempting to remount,
turned his horse over again and dlsap-
peared forever. His horse made the shore
soon and appeared to drag something from
one of the stirrnps; but whether. it was
poor Taylor's b6tly or not cannot be stated
as it did not appear above the surface.
Mr. Haggerty, who witnessed the whole
affair, unsaddled the horses and got them
ashore. Miss Reeds horse drifted some
distance below and would probably have
been drowned had it not been helped ont.
Instruments for dragging the river were
prepared as quickly as possible and as Wig
orous a search us possible was commenced
Nothing WAS found that day and q fear
that the river would keep it's secrets I'M
til such time rs it saw fit to yield them IN
took possession of all hearts. But strong
hands kent Staadjl>zZl Worly anl or, rp,,asSS