Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-07-24
SAD DROWNING.
AN EXCITING SCENE ON THE Kappa
HAMMOCK NEAR FREDERICKSBURG.
Tragic Ending OF n Pleasure Party-A
Young Mans Fatal Piunge-Sain
Efforts at Rescue.
lsnscial ,eleSr,m to the pl,p,ieh.l ]

Special telegram 10 tae Dbpsich-l
FREDERIcKsBURG, Va. July 23 The COM
munity this morning was shocked at the
sad announcement that Mr.. Lewis smith,
a Young man well known in this city, aged
about twenty years. and living with his
mother at Oakley. in this county, five miles
from this city, had been drowned yesterday
evening in the Rappahannock while IN
bathing with a number Of companions. III
seems that several weeks ago the young
people in that vicinity organized a summer
sociable. its object being to bathe, picnic,
and otherwise provide amusement for the
heated season Several entertainments by
the party have been given. which were
highly enjoyed. and yesterday evening was
selected for the purpose OF hshlng ana
bathing. The place selected for their
amusements is what is known as Bernards
Bend, which Is Just below here and where
the RappahannOck. on its leaving the city.
makes its first turn. The place is a
delightful resort for such pleasure
Early in the evening the party, num-
bering fifteen, of whom seven were
Young ladies'. arrived on the scene. and
after spending a number of hours pleasant
lv thev rOwed 10 the opposite shore, ana
going to a private house dOnned their
bathing suits 20 enjoy the sport. lt was
then arranged that swimming match
should take place, and the party started To
return TO the shore. whore the water IS ABOUT
eighteen feet deep. The young ladies' had
all been carried over in boats and were
engaged in the sport of bathing
along the shore where the water Is
shallow. The last boat. in which were
Young Smith and several companions, had
nearly reached the shore. when ma COM
panions jumped out and began 20 prepare
for the match. His companions, before
Jumping, told him not 70 Jump untl ne
was very near shore, because he could not
swim and might drown. For several min
utes after his companions had jumped out
Smith eyed them intently and hnally SAID
" am going 10 try and swim.
MADE PLUNGE.
They plead with him not 10 do so, and
began swimming towards him, but before
they could reach the boat he made aplunge
and went Immediately downward When
he arose he cried for help. His companions
bv this time began TO realize his condition,
and the Young ladies ran out Of the water
screaming for help and very much trl2ht-
ened. Several of the young men then
swan 10 him, and Mr. John Ierby,, Who
reached him first as he was going down
the second time endeavored To rescue him'
and was nearly drowned himself, having
been carried under the water the second
ilUlfs Ilf Lllfn iitANAANN N4tN 'ttN- 80 - ~
less condition,
CARRIED ANoTHER DOWN.
Mr.. Willie Bernard then swan 70 the
rescue. and. catching young Smith bv the
hair. was carving him i'm snore, when
Smith seized HIM and also carried him
/ down twice By this time the excitement
/ knew no bounds. and the Young ladies were
running madlv about, several of whom lad
TO be held 10 prevent them from entering
/ the water. One Of the young ladies faint
/ ed. The situation BEGAN 90 grow more
| alarming. and as Mr.. Bernard was beng
carried down the third time he managed to
get himself free from his drowning
| companion and was picked up 10y
i the boat. which by TINS tlme hal
arrived ON the scene. After young Smlth
/ let loose from Mr.. Bernard he immediately
/ sank-hcforc the boat could reach hun. me
marty. which "A few hours before had ar
/ rived in such joyful and happy mood
/ now returned 10 their homes To break tht
/ sad news 10 the mother of the deceased
/ who was her only child. All efforts 10 re-
/ cover the body last night were unaEMlihg
/ and il was not until this morning about Il
/ O'Clock that IL was recovered IL was tieu
| brought 20 this city and prepared Tor on
/ rial. after which ~ was taken To ms lat
/ home for lnterment
/ Young Bernard when rescued was IN q
/ helpless and exhausted condition. and u
was some time before he was able 10 walk
/ Mr.. Smith WAS an excellent young man
and his sudden ending has cast gloon
over the entire community where lac re-
sided. and this city, where h. had manl
friends. lie was a relative Of Mrs. eX-'ioy
ernor John l.. Marye of this city.
Information was received here to-day %
the marriage at the Lee-Street Bapt8
/ church. Baltimore. of Miss Sallie Y. Hoy'r
If thus city, and Mr.. II. ID. Crawford, %
Baltimore II took the many friends %
| the couple here by surprise. Miss Hoyol
was visiting her young friend, Miss Annie
Magee. in that city, and THOUGH II was ex
pected that this union would take place
II was not thought that the happy even
was go near at hand.