Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-01-11
ATHRILLING ADvENTURE.
Marrow Escape from Drowning In
YeTk River of IL Sewiy Mar
FfeO CouDte.

~
/ =. Richardson, a former resident OF New
/ Kent county, but who has been living in
/ New York for the pist six years, was mar
/ RED 10 a lady Of that city, and with his bride
/ came down 10 spend the honeymoon at the
/ old homestead.
Monday last gay party, consisting OF
| eight or ten ladies' and gentlemen, went
/ down % York river, about five miles below
/ West Point. 10 have an Oyster.rolst. While
waiting for the succucnt bivalVes 10 reach
/ that state Of perfection so grateful TO epcu-
relu taste some Of the party proposed sail
upon the noble rIycr Wilhe Richardson
steppfd into a frai cOcklc-sbell ducking-
boat and hoised ssi, when his laughing
bride proposed 20 accompany bun. Many
voices were rssed 10 di,>uade her from the
rash adventure. but with gay laugh she
took her seat m the tiny craft at her hus-
bands side and waved parting salute TO
those who were standing on the shore.
A stG breeze was blowing and soon TIE
little boat was dancing upon the waves or
hidden from view I'm the trough Of the sea.
After thfv had proceeded some distance
Dr. George W. Richardson and hls younger
brother, Arthur. brothers Of the groom,
bosied the sails 81 another small boat and
started IN pursuit. ont on The broad river,
more than mile from shore. The boats met
and race WAS proposed. The wind had
freshened considerably, the waves were roll
ug high. and the boats were bounding over
the b,llows, while the light-hearted occu-
pants laughed and shouted in the eXu-
berance oi youth and happiness. They
thought little OF danger. But their
friends on The shore watched their
course with much anxiety, The little boats
seemed but a spcck on the whitC-cres'ed
L Al fF.ni1o-
ton filed the hearts Of the spect1tOts. And
soon their fears were Gc,lizcd, for the sails
disappeared, and on o foimng wave they
saw the ncwly-married pair struggling IN
the water and cIiugin0 10 The overturned
boat. Willie Richardson held to the boat
with one hand and With the other supported
his wife, whose heavy clothing was bearing
her down. H. required his utmost eXertiOn
to keen her head above the water one
of her feet became entanglcd in the rigging,
the boat rolled over ana over Ike log, and
three times hl- grasp was wrenched away.
Mr.. Richardson was al good swimmer, ana be
followed no the boat sgaln and again, to have
IL torn from his grasp. Burdeucd as he was
and budctcd 10y the waves, bis strength was
slowly falling hut again he reached the bot
and secured firm hold, still supporting his
half-drowucd bride.
Dr Richardson was nearly mile distant
wlcnhe saw me accident, and quickly turned
toihc rescue. Ine wind was favorable, and his
light boat skinned tre waves, while the spec
tliorS on the shore watched his progress with
brrathleSs anxiety. At icugth be came up TO
the uulucky par, and not q moment too soon,
as their strength and endurance were almost
exhausted. His boat was TOO small 10 bear
the weight Of four persons. The utmost
GOODNESS was now required, snd the hesttnat
could be done was TO nm carefully the halt
drowned bride into the boat and allow The
husband 10 cling 10 the side until am oyster
boat, now Fastening 10 their assistance, could
arrive. After awhile tine larger boat came
up and the dripping couple were transferred
90 H.. The Gr-f exclamation Of Mrs. Rich
qrdSon on Getting INTO The boat was. Whv,
FIN as wet rs a drorned rat which
original remark caused merry peal
of lluehter, in which she joined. They were
soon after landed on tara .fyIa9, and pro.
ceeded at once 20 the residence Of SIR. A. I.
Ri nardson. the groom, father, where, ln
dry clothing and seated before roaring
wood fire. the adventures Of The day were
rccountcd, with mlrth-proy0king comments
upon the luiicTOus nature OF the event.
Win thankful hearts lor their safe deliver
ance, they retired to rest to dream. perhaps.
of the terr0rs Of the deep. Mrs Richardson
hos suffered no Striou, Inconvenience from
her Involuntary baptism 10 Virginia waters.