The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1890-05-11
LOST HIS LIFE IN TIE SURF.
Joseph Rogers Drowned While on a
Drunken Spree.

Drunken Spree.
Joseph Rogers a dry goods clerk, recently
with Morrison, Foye & CO., was drowned
at Tybee yesterday morning. Rogers had
been on a spree since Merchants week. He
went to Tybee Friday in a crazed condition,
and there he met J. NJ. Moore and Charles
Abel Rogers took quarters with them at
Smiths clearinghouse whore he re-
manned during the night. Early yes
terday morning the party went across
to Ryan's bar and began drinking They
left there and went back to Smiths, and
from there to the Ocean house. They then
went on the beach in front of Lanes, where
boat was lying. Rogers said that he was
going in swimming. and started to undress.
When he got most Of his clothing OFF Abel
said that be was going after another drink,
that the men were going to get into trouble.
Rogers pulled off his clothes and ran into
the water, and Abel walked up toward
the Ocean house, saying that Rogers
would be arrested. Abel went into
Lanes and was talking with the barkeeper.
They had not been there a minute before
Moore came up from the beach alone. Abel
asked him where Rogers was. Moore re-
piled, 81 don't think you will see Joe any
more" and kept on.
Abel and Williams thought Moore was
joking, but they walked down toward the
beach. When they got near enough they
saw a naked body floating about in
the surf. 1t was Rogers. They called
to Chief Of Police Lightbody and began
to rub the drowned man. He showed
light signs of life, and they rubbed
him with mustard and gave him whisky.
The tide began to flow in, and Officer
Lghtbody had the man moved up above
high water mark. Before any further assist
ance could be rendered Rogers drew up his
no hxr io1
He did not speak and did not open his eyes
while life was in him.
Moore was seen last night about the
drowning, and he said that after Abel left
him and Rogers on the beach, he
begged Rogers not to 90 in the
surf, as the tide was very strong.
Rogers told him that he was not afraid,
that he was good swimmer. He went in
abous twenty-five yards and soon afterward
disappeared.
Coroner Dixon was notified and went
down on the 10 o'clock train yesterday
| morning. At his investigation substantially
what is stated above was developed. Rog-
ers had nothing valuable with him. Only
three cents was found in his pockets. A
uncle in Danbury, Conn. Rogers was
native of Canada. He was born in New
Brunswick and was about 40 years old. He
come to Savannah seven or eight years ago
and secured employment as dry goods
clerk for Altmayer & Co. He was subse-
quently connected with Weisbein in the
same capacity, and later with Hogan and
Crohan 81 Dooner. Last November he was
employed by Morrison, Foye & Co., where
he worked until Merchants week. During
the week he began drinking, and was dis
charged. After that he drank wherever he
was able to get anything to drink.
When notunder the influence of liquor
Rogers was fine salesman and commanded
large salary.
The dry goods clerks made up purse
yesterday morning when the body was
brought to the city and betrayed the funeral
expenses. The remains were buried in
Laurel Grove cemetery.