The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-08-31
help. and when looked round | saw
SINK AND RISE AGAIN,

him
| SINK AND RISE AGAIN.
81 then started to go towards him, but
when | got about half the distance
twenty-five yards-from him to me
didn't sec him any more. He had dis
appeared. AS to Mr.. Shaw, | don't
think he was in the water more than
live minutes when he was drowned. HIe
was out where Mr.. Ludekins was. did
not know Mr.. Shaw. He was on the 9th
side tfarther orD Of Mr.. Ludekins, and
disappeared suddenly. don't think he
struggled or " ould have seen it. Mr..
Shaw's body tloatcd up in about three
hours afterwards"
THE TRAGEDY OF 1854.
The tragedy OF yesterday recalls an
equally sad event Of the same kind
which occurred on the Island little over
two years ago, and in which Miss Ella
NJ. Benjamin lost her life. The previous
tragedy occurred, however, not at the
same place as that Of yesterday. 1t was
on the beach near the brcakwatcr which
ends ut the fort. 1t was on the after
noon of tho 18th Of August, and num-
bcr of children were bathing on the front
beach, near DR.. Kinlocn's house. Miss
Ella NJ. Benjamin, lady from Sum
mervillc, who was staying on the Island,
was bathing with them. Julian Reid,
Il little son of Mr. Loughton K. Reid, of
Charleston. who WAS among the children,
got beyond his depth, and was in immi-
ncnt danger of drowning when Miss.
benjamin saw his peril, and being Il
good swimmer ut once went to his res
cue. She reached the drowning child.
caught him in her arms and held him
above the water for nearly fifteen min
utcS until boat in which were two col
ored men camp up. The little boy was
lifted safely into the boat and the men
then turned their attention to the heroic
woman who had saved him. The pro.
lonScd efforts to save the life of the
Child, however, had doubtless exhausted
her strength. She kept ahout until she
had saved the child and then quickly
sank beneath the waves. It. was Il cal
lant and heroic act, and the incident ut
the time attracted general attention.
y wAENIHG REPEATED.
ut that time the NerS ant courier
took occasion to call attention to the
tact that some precautions were aLso-
lutcly necessary to make surf bathing |
Oh the Island safe. The hint was taken |!
1y the New Brighton Hotel proprietor, |
ana the space III front o.! the beach Was |
ropcd in. y storm, however, removed |
these ropes. and, they have never been
replaced. 1t is impossible at this time
10 tell the cause Of the death oc the two
young men who periShed i'm the surf.
Bathers who have been in the habit of
bathing on Sulivan's Island, arc familiar
With the treachcrous undcrtow and
'arely venture out beyond their deptl.
Mr.. Ludek'ns was good swimmer, and
lis death is difficult to account for, un-
eSs, having been in the water for too
onS time, he was seized with n sud
len cramp which rendered him power.
ess. On the other hand, this woulI
scarcely account for the death of Mr..
shaw. who had only been in the water
short time.
There have been rumors Of late of the
,rcnce on the Island beach of sharks in
more than usual numbers, and bathcr
II the surf recently is said to have been
bitten by one. The story, however, was
eccived with grave doubts by many,
nd the sharks at least cannot have caus-
d Mr.. Shaw's death, bccaucc his body
hows no signs Of an attack by these
monsters Of the deep.
The sad affair is altogether uEaccount-
BILE. 1t was freely discussed, but no one
oul4 arrive ut u theory which would
ccount for the double tragedy. After 1
his warning it is hoped that precau- ;
ions will be taken against any future
ccidents Of the kind. ,
The e., G. &. IL &. Il. Il.