The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1886-08-19
A SHOCKING CALAMITY.
THREE SISTERS DROWNED WHILE
BATHING IN A BAY.

Their Terrible Bereavement.
Hand in hand they tripped merrlly
along together to their death-Nellie.
aged twelve; Lizzie, aged ten, and Sadie.
AGED eight. AS their little feet danced
over the sand. the wind carried their
shouts of laughter back to the home
which they had just quilted, and brought
a smile Of affection to the face OF their
mother. Then the sea swept the three
children away. The light Of the house
hold was out and it would be long be-
fore that mother smiled again.
They were the three children Of
Henry Wynan, a fisherman, living at
Far Rockaway, not far from Breezy
Point, which is about midway between
the village and RockawaY Beach. On
one side was the ocean, on the other
Jamaica Bay. Their home was plain
but comfortable cottage. They were
: interesting children. of sweet DISPOSE
ton, and were not only favorites with
Their playmates and with the neighbors
generally, but were frequently petted by
strangers and visitors who happened to
come across them playing on the beach.
They were the delight of their parents.
Accustomed by his vocation to the
water it was natural that he should re-
gard lightly the danger to the children
+. of bathing alone, and tile little girls
themselves had no fear.
Yesterday morning they went to
their mother and asked permission 70
60 bathing. The little ones had been
accustomed all the season to do so at a
point in jamaica Bay, which had been
selected for the reason that the water
was smoother there. 1t was supposed
to be perfectly safe to leave them i'll the
water alone. Mrs. Wyman consequently
gave the desired permission without any
hesitation, and the three little girls ran
ioyfully up stairs. A few moments
latter their little feet came patting down
the staircase. and Mrs. Wyman saw her
three daughters, looking in their bath
ing suits like three little cherubs ready
for bed. To each she gave farewell
kiss. She little knew that it was the
last time her lips were to press their
soft cheeks in life.
''Now, take good care of Sadie." was
Mrs. Wyman's parting Injunction, as
with an affect;onate hand she adjusted
the bathing suit Of her youngest child.
Yes. mamma, we will!' lsred
Nellie and Lizzie. Sadie broke away
from her mother. She had a pet hen,
which she had caught sight of In the
yard. and she wanted to run after 1t.
Her. sisters caught her.
stake Nellie's hand and give me
yours" said the eldest sister, who telt..
ii lta confidence reposed~ ~sin sheEs by the
mother, and who wanted to take good
care Of both the sisters. Thus they left
their home forever, Sadie between
Nellie and Lizzie. Mrs. Wyman
watched them fondly as they waded
through the sand until they disappear
cd behind dune. Then she went back
to her work without a premonition of
the calamity about to fall on the home.
A man some distance away saw them
pause at the waters edge, let the dying
wave wet their feet and then run back
on the dry land with merry shouts. The
man turned his looks elsewhere and
ceased to think Of them.
No eye witnessed their death. 1t is
believed that they died hand in hand.
Probably one of them waded out OF her
depth or stumbled anG the others were
overwhelmed by wave in trying to
save her, too loyal and devoted in their
little hearts to loose their hold on the
hand they grasped, even if it meant
death.
Only their cry for help was heard. 1t
reached the ears Of their mother in the
cottage, and with pale face and anxious
heart she ran down to the beach. 1t
reached the ears of the people around,
and they hurried in the direction whence
ii came, eager to render assistance. But
one and all they could see only the
crested waves breaking on the shore.
The bay had seized ITS prey and carried
it beyond the sight of men.
Mrs. Wyman was well nigh crazed
by grief. It was long before she could
be persuaded to leave the fatal beach.
II was feared that she would lose her
reason. and it was only by the use Of
opiates that she could be quictcd.
The fathers grief was as great. .llc
had left home early in the morning. and
did not learn OF his great loss until Il
messenger was sent to him. He re-
fused at first to believe she tidings.
''Thcy can't be dead" he murmured
At last he understood what had hap
pencd.
My God my chlldrcn!" he moaned.
''Nelic. Lizzie. Sadie! Dead all dead
my God, my GCui all drowned ~
When he reached his home he was Il
broken down man.
Last night, Mrs. Wyman. half con-
>clous. WAS calling aloud for her chill
drcn. New York Herald. August | |.
Knorkcd Dead 10y Il Fist Elow.
CHICAGO. -August l1.--Dr. J.. l..
Trowbr!hgc had q street alteration yes
terClar with Frank Packard. i barber. \
blow from packard'S fist laid the Doctor