The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-01-19
BROUGHT HOME.
The Remains of the Late Nathan Gest
Arrive for Interment.
THE SAD AFFAIR.

THE SAD AFFAIR.
This morning at six o'clock all that was
mortal of the late Nathan Gest arrived in
the city over the Chicago, Rock Island &
Pacific road from Chicago, accompanied
by the heart broken father and four of
the studentsl from Williams College,
friends of the deceased. 1t is sad indeed
to think that the youth who had left his
home and loved ones only few short
months ago, full of bright hopes and pros
poets of the future, should be brought
back to the scene of his childhood in the
sleep of death-the sleep that knows no
waking. The depth of the anguish that
bows the heads of the fond parents is al
most beyond comprehension, as they gaze
on the cold and inanimatc form of their
darling son who was so cruelty hurled into
eternity, while enjoying the pleasures of
boyish pastime; a son who had just
reached manhood's estate, and possessed
of those attributes which serve to make
all love and regard him. OF more than
ordinary ability and intellect and ma
ture that was truly noble. he was son of
whom any father should feel proud But
fate. cruel as it is, has decreed otherwise,
and we are compelled to submit to the
inevitable.
THE PARTICULARS.
The young gentlemen who accompanied
the remains home are: c. E. Greenman,
of Troy, n. Y, &nd J. B. Carse, Chicago
of the I'D. K. E" fraternity; L. Y.
Gardner, Jr., of Amsterdam, n. Y, of
the Alpha Delta Phi" and Fl. P. Dewey.
of Peoria, of the Kappa Alpha" They
belong to the senior class at Williams
college, of which the deceased was
member. To Mr.. L. Y Gardiner. Jr,
we are indebted to the following facts in
regard to the sad accident:
where the boys of the college do their
coasting, and it was on this hill that the
accident took place. At the bottom of
the hill is creek which is spanned by
heavy wooden bridge. About two hun
dred yards from the bridge, and at the
steepest place in the hill, is rather sharp
turn, and it requires considerable skill in
the steerer to make the turn successfully.
Several trips had been made down the hill
on this eventful day Although several
others wanted to act in the capacity of
''steerer' on the disastrous trip. Mr..
Gest asked the priviege-which appeared
to be the place of honor-as he said that
would conclude his sport for that day, as
he would then have to go to his studies.
Alas, how little he thought of what was
in store for him. In making the turn in
the road the runners got in a deep rut,
and it was impossible to turn the sled in
the proper course, and as natural conse
quence, it dashed against the side of the
bridge with tremendous violence. When
the other occupants of the sled-there
were seven in all-rec0vered from the
shock, they found Mr.. Gest with his
SKULL CRUSHED
into his brain, and in dying condition.
Before doctor could be summoned he
had expired. living only eight minutes
after the dreadful conclusion. Another
of the party was slightly hurt, but he is
now convalescent.
The college exercises were suspended
Thursday morning. and at II a. m. mem
orial services were held, the entire college
being present The college is stu
ated about a mile from the depot,
and three hundred students, with several
of the faculty, formed a procession and
escorted the body to the train. The de-
ceased, whose friends in this city were
beyond computation, was as highly re
garded among his college associates, and
every one had kind word to say Of him
He stood fifth in the senior class, which
was composed of about sixty members.
and had he lived would have graduated in
June
On account of the coldnes of the wealth
er and by the request of numerous friends
it has been decided to hold the funeral ser
vices at the Central Presbyterian church,
tomorrow at two o'clock p. m, the pastor,
Rev. S. S. Cryer, officiating The pail
bearers will consist of the four young
gentlemen who accompanied the remains
home, and Messrs. Irving Burgh and
Paul Hamilton of this city, who were
schoolmates of the deceased when he at
tended the high school in this city. airs
j. B. Carse, of Chicago, has sent some
elegant floral tributes, and other beautiful
tokens of remembrance have been ar,
ranged by his friends here.
| THE FERRY COMPANY.