Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1890-06-05
qnMsc PERSONS Dho wNED.

'TgvO Latte Hfays Meet Death While
Swimming in the tsraudySviDo,
ana John starr EHds sl,s spree Ina
Inc Bottom OF Inc christians.
Three persons were drowned In this city
on Monday afternoon. Flank and Harry
Patterson, two brothers, aged y
and . years, respectively met their
death while swimming in the Bran ~
Wins, aud John Starr, aged 81, was
drowned In the Christiana by tho cap.
sizing OF boat, while on drunken spree.
The bottles of the boys were soon recovered,
but Stars body was not found until 1888
O'Clock, Tuesday morning.
The Patterson boys we're the sons OF Davii
y. Patterson, morocco dresser OF 130f
King street. They attended public sohoo.
No. 8, and as soon rs school was dismissed
between and o'clock, they went swim
ming In the Brandywne with other boys,
OF Eleventh and Church streets. In the rear
OF Smith Il Painters factory. Frank was q
good swimmer, but while In the middle OF
creek, was taken with II eramp aud began
to sink. HIS cried for help but none of the
boys would go to him aud his brother
Hurry, although he could MOI swim very
we'll went bravsly to his assistance
Needless OF the warnings OF his eompan-
ions, Harry struck out and reached his
brother Just rs hs was going down for the
last time. He tried TO do some' hing for
him, but the struggling boy elaspei him
about the neck and both went do@n.
The alarm was given by the Toys who
had watched the struggles OF The two
brothers from the shore, and crowd soon
arrived and began wading and diving for
| the bodies thousand people sopu gath
cred, including many hysterical women.
| They delayed the work OF finding the
bodies by their presence, IA the men unsi-
/ tated about stripping and diving for he
bodies while they were there.
| Franks body WAS found IN about n hal.
hour. by James DEM, IN i've feet OF wa,nr,
about 20 feet from the shore. ADont ESQ
O'Clock. after a long search, James Whalen
| found Harry's body. During this time tho
| father Of the boys was waiting on shore.
crying bitterly. The bodies were wrapped
In sheets and taken home.
Coroner Gamble did not consider an In
| quest necessary and gave certificates OF
denth In accordance with the facts.
HOW STARR WAS DROWNED.
John Starr was about IS years OF age.
Very little ia known about him. IL ls said
that he was painter and again that he
was chronic habitue OF the coast" In
company with Frank Erwin and Joseph
Fleming, two young men of respectable
families, he hired boat at the Market
street bridge and taking aboard keg of
beer. started down tho river. BY the time
they reached the Third street bridge, all
were Intoxicated.
When near the wharf CT the Gid Ferry
rolling mill, one Of them attemp, ed to pass
from one end of the boat to the other and
IN his drunken clumsyness capsized the
boat. Another story has It that ne fell
overheard and the boat was cBpsized
through the efforts OF his companions to
save him. All were thrown Into the water,
and were somewhat sobered by the sudden
bath. Erwin swan ashore. Flemming
caught rope thrown from barge at the
wharf and was saved. Starr caught at the
boat. but was too drunk to save himself,
and sank before assistance could be given.
This was about 8, 30 O'Clock.
Erwin and Flemming were disorderly
after they were saved and Police Officer
WEIGH arrested them and took them to the
police station. They we're furnished with
dry clothing and released alter being fined
Tuesday morning. Neither one has a distinct
recollection OF the accident. They ad NOT
known Starr before, but Irwin said that he
had received assistance from him when he
was an apprentice. They thought q passing
tug assisted to cRps'ze tho boat.
Theriver was dragged Monday night, bu
Starts body was not found until 1890
O'Clock on Tuesday, when Charles Sparks
discovered It near the upper corner OF the
rolling mill wharf. Goats, vests and shoes
which the men had removed In the boat
, were also found.