The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-11-07
A SHOCKING OCCURRENCE.
MRS. G. A. VIsANsKA IS THROWN FROM
A BRIDGE, AND IS INSTANTLY
KILLED
Particulars Of the Sad Event---A Fam
lily Overwhelmed in Grief..-k ind
Attention of sympathetic Neigh
borS---ITcartren Scenc--.Buriai
OF the Deceased -. iacr Religious
Faith, and Her Eoveiy Character.

bOrS---IT TCartrenSiinS Scenc-..Buriai
OF the Deceased -. Her Religious
Faith, and Her Aoveiy Character.
Last Sunday morning. November 4, 1885, tho
people Of this village We're shocked at the
news that Mrs. Anna NiSanSka, wife Of Mr..
Garrison \. Nisauslia had been killed by hc-
ing thrown from the bridge across Long Cane
creek at Morton's Mill, distant five miles from
Abbcvillc.
Soon vehicles and lncn on horseback were
hurrying TO the place of the accident.
Numbers of people assembled Mt the corners,
while Others watched from the doors of their
homes to catch the first glimpse Of the re.
turning procession. But as none Of the men,
hars OF the family wore al home, except Mr..
Visanska md Mr. Rosenberg, it was deter
mined to take the body on to Greenwood,
where other members Of the family and
happy little children were waiting-not In
sadness, but in joyous anticipation: not In the
shadow of death, but in the brightness and
iOyouSness of lifc-for the arrival OF the fond
est of fond mothers.
The sudden and unexpected DEATH together
with the circumstances leading up TO the fatal
moment are peculiarly sad. When diphtheria
broke out in town Mr.. and Mrs. Visanska
with the parental instinct or desire to protect
their tender offspring, sent their young
children to relatives in Greenwood, in the
hope thai they might escape tho dangers of
the dreaded disease which at that time prom
iscd to become an epidemic among the chill
dren Of Ahbeville. Arrangements had been
made previously for Il visit to her children on
Sunday, and during the week she had prepar-
ed cat4bles and other little evidences or to-
kens of a mothers affection for her little
children. Anticipating great pleasure in
meeting her children she said to ncighbor
that she could hardly wait for the appointed
time for the visit.
On Sunday morning-as bright and as beau
tiful day MS was ever seen-she and her old
est son, Mr.. Julius NJ. Fisanska, set out on
the Journey In a buggy from Abbevillc to
(Nro 1ictn nf 4
went well until they arrived at the bridge on
Long Cane creek. which is spanned by n COW
cred bridge at Morton's Mill. The approach
to it Is hundred and twenty feet Of trestlc
feet above the sand. No balusters or side tim
bers had been put upon tho floor Of the tres
tling to prevent accidents and the work had
been left In this unfinished condition. which
has resulted in the death Of good woman,
while on an aflectionate family the gloom
and shadow of death rests most painfully and
most sadly.
With the natural instinct of caution born
to woman, when they arrived at the bridgee
she proposed TO her son that she get out Of tn
buggy and walk across il, but he, young and
saw no danger, and with never a
doubt in his own mind, felt that he was able
to cross the bridge in perfect safety. He
thought, too, as she was comfortably wrapped
that She would be loss comfortable if She laid
aside her wraps, when the journey should be
Her fears quieted as to the danger, and he
confident Of sperfect safety, they drove on
TO the bridge from which she was so soon to
20 down to death. The trestle work
Herss Heiss became as frightened, % it ' is suppos- @
ed, at what he saw through the open
spaces between the planks of the floor
OF the trestle or the bridge, and rs he was
Re ae Ee
sanska noticing the uneaSiness Of his mother,
said, in an assuring way: 'Why, mother,
believe you are frightened. Don't be afraid"
Before she could answer or he could realize
the imminent danger, one OF the hind wheels
of the buggy was of the bridge, between tho
second and third benches, and she and Mr..
Visanska, the horse and buggy, were all
tance of about ten feet. Mrs. Visanska it is
supposed, fell upon the plank, which was ly-
ing there, and dislocatad her neck. Death
was instantaneous. She never spoke or even
gave tho slightest evidence OF life after the
sand over which the trestle had been
built, and neither were hurt. Mr.. FiSanska
was Instantly on his feet, and at once paid at
tention to his mother.
The hind wheels of the buggy partcdwith the
fore wheels at the fifth wheel, as they fell
from the bridge. The horse rose and ran one
or two hundred yards with the front wheels,
and stopped.
No one saw the accident except those imme-
dately interested, but u colored preacher
named Klugh whom they had met near the
foot Of the bridge, heard Mr.. Fisanska halloa,
and looking back saw that they had fallen off
the bridge. Without going back to learn the
extent OF the injuries which had been sustain
ed. he rode hurriedly 10 the home Of Mr.. w.
Oscar Cromer. about half mile distant, and
there reported that some one had fallen off
the bridge and was badly hurt, suggesting Mt
the same time that some one go Immediately
to their relief. Mr.. Cromer was not at the
house AZ the time. and Mrs Cromcr ask cd the
negro to hurry back and give any help posi-
BILE, saying that she would Immediately send
for Mr.. Cromer, who was out little way of,
on the farm.
The negro preacher replied that he hadn't
time to 90 back, as he was OH his way to I'LL
an "appintment'
After dispatching q messenger for Mr.. Cro-
mer, Mrs. Cromer gathered up such re-
storatives as she had about the house, and
started off III great haste TO give any relief
possible. But the restoratives were useless.
Life was extinct. Death was present Neigh.
borS were shocked and Mortified. a devoted
and ever attentive son was overwhelmed in
grief, while the llfelcsS form of q loving and
stream.
Mr. Cromcr was soon at the place of tho ac-
cident, and so was Mr.. William =. Cox. MIR.
Cox mounted the horse, which had been the
cause Of all the trouble. and haStened to the
village for DR.. Hill and DR.. Mabry, and then
impaired the heartrending Information to the
bercaYed husband. DR.. Kellar was also sent
for. Tho news soon spread over town. All
were shocked and panied at tho sudden death
of one so much beloved. Numbers immc-
diately left for the scene OF the occurrence.
Before the towns people had arrived Mt the
bridge Mr. Cromrr improviSed a litter, upon
which he put feather bed, and be and others
tcndcr:y lifted the body and laid ii on the
bed. They then carried her to his house,
where the hody lay until the henrsc and coffin
from Abbevillc arrived.
Mr.. and Mrs. Cromer gladly and chcerfully
did all that was In their power for the relief,
Solace or accommodation Of the griei-Slrckcn
F.,,t ti.,N yl,x,
village, and as many Of Mr.. Cromers neigh.
bors as had heard of the accident, atteStrd
their friendly interest by their presence at
Mr.. CromcI's, rs we'll rs by their kindly words
OF sympathy.
After the hearse arrived, and when the dead
wife and mother, and the weeping husband
and sons resumed In Saddest gloom the jour-
ncy, which had been undertaken with such
bright and cheerful anticipatonS, the greater
number of the asscmbledspcoplo went to their
respective homes. Kind friends were sent
ahead to break the news to those whose low
ing hearts and gentle hands had set rich
dinner table for her coming, and who had for
hours watched with painful anxiety, the COW
cted visit from the beloved mother aud sister.
The hearse in charge Of MIR: j.. w. Sign, ju-
nior, moved off ut three o'clock In the after
noon, followed By q phmton containing the
husband, MIR. Garrison ~. NisanSka, tho son,
Mr. Julius NJ. Nisanska, and the sOn-in-law,
Mr.. Philip Rosenberg, while number of
friends in vehicles Joined them Arriving
1T Lue DrluSe rum "HICli MI. ' lstthahh anu
his mother had fallen some six hours pre-
viously, the horses were detached from the
ncarse and other vehicles, when they were
drawn over by the hands OF the passengers,
and the horses were led over by the drivers.
The arrival Of the corpse at the house of Mr..
Abe Rosenberg in Greenwood presented q
scene of grief and sorrow which Is seldom
seen, and which was enough TO move Il heart
Of stone. Mrs. Abe Rosenberg Is Il sister of
Mrs. Visanska, and she had the young
daughters Of the deceased in her charge, dur.
ing their absence from Abbevillr on account
Of diphthcra at home.
The citizens of Greenwood manifested the
kindest feelings for the afflicted family and
.ll.Lt .rl,1,l