Evening journal., 1890-07-11
PIERCE'S SAD FATE.
TRAelcAL EXPERIENCE OF THE
GLOVER BAY CLUB.

Citizens Committee Finish wsrk-- Board
Of Trade-FunerAl of Mrs. HOFFMAN.
Seized with Convalsions-Bitter END
ing Off Fishing Excursion.
Special Correspondence EVENING JOURNAL.
NEW CASTLE. July 1.-THE remains OF
b. Frank Pierce, who was drowned near
Bowers Beach, on Wednesday afternoon,
arrived here last evening, In charge of
three other members OF the Glover Bay
Club, and was taken charge Of by Under
taker Y. ii. Clewen, who prepared it for
shipment to the residence of his sister In
wilmington, whence the funeral will
take place. The story Of the accident is
one OF the most trf gic that has ever been
heard in this community.
d. FL. Wilson, who was the princlpal
witness at the inquest. thus tells the
story. 1--WE arrived at Bowers's about
o'clock on Wednesday afternoon. after
a delightful cruise, and started up the
snore to haul seine for crabs. On our
return we found that our boat had
drifted Hp Murderkill creek. and we de-
clded 70 swim across TO It. We each wore
thin clothing and large hats, and we
plunged into the creek one after
another. Pierce was the last man In and
was directly IN front Of him, The
strong current carried us well up stream.
but we padded along quietly, and soon
the leaders had reached the shore, Just
alongside of our boat.
Suddenly the thought struck me that
Pierce was trying to butt tide for the
shore, and turned around and called to
follow me. i can make it, guess he
replied and | went ahead Turning
again | saw that he was losing headway,
and could never reach shore there, and
called to all hands for help. The other
men pushed out two boats and in an
instant three OF US were swimming to the
struggling man. He cried, i can't make
-it-help me and went down, leaving
his large hat floating on the water.
Every man in the boat jumped out and
thrust his limbs under the boat to feel
the body when 1t came up, and the swim.
mers hastened to the spot where he sank.
Inc suspense was horrible, and to add to
the death-like stiffness the rlpples even
seemed to cease. About thirty minutes
later we had secured graphing irons
from several kind fishermen who were
standing on the shore, and In a few
4
q physician who lived in tnat neiqhbor-
hood, and he ran with all his might to
the spot, where the other men were
working with the limp body. He pre-.
nounced him dead.
"Ws then hired wagon and drove to
Frederica, thirteen miles away. where
we telegraphed to Pierce's relatives and
to the coroner. We went for an under
taker, but he positively refused to come
He finally consented to sell us box, and
We hurried back as fast as possible. Our
men procured some ice, and we laid the
body out rs best we could. Rogers and
sat up and watched the body ali night.
The coroner and party arrived about
II o'clock yesterday morning and held an
inquest. The people Of Bowers and
Fredertca were very kind to us and all
were well pleased with the treatment re-
ceived. Murderkill creek Is only about
40 feet wide, but the current Is powerful
on the flood tide. The remaining mem
bers OF the club, who are almost dis
tracted, will return this evening, aid at.
tend the funeral tomorrow.
The testimony Of D. Fl. Wilson. E. ].
Weggenman, A. v. Foster, Frank Hamil-
ton, Emmitt Evans, NJ G Rogers. Jr.
and w. f. Hushebeck was heard, and
their evidence was corroborated "
several residents Of Bowers, who saw
the accident
The jnry rendered the following YER
dict: I'VE, the undersigned as Jurors.
having viewed the body OF B. +. Pierce
and having examined the witnesses who
saw him last, and carefully considered
the same, report that said B. T. Piercs.
came 20 his death by accidental drowning,
on Wednesday afternoon, July 8, 1890,
while attempting to swim acrOss Murder.
kill river, and that all persons who were
with him are exonerated from any blame
in the matter. w. A, Cummins fore
man; Alex Minner, secretary; J.. r.
Jacobs, coroner
The citizens celebration committee
held It's final meeting in the mayor r's
office last evening A vote Of thanks was
rendered the clergy and .he citizens who
contributed 80 literally to one Of the
most successful occasions that has ever
been witnessed here. The following
statement was passed and signed by the
chairman and secretary: Total receipts
from all sources, $947 So; expenditures
Seminole Band $40; fireworks. S124. "a;
carriage hire. "a so; prizes, $l2. rs lum
Der, etc, $13 81 Lenape Fire Company
$2O; Held q Brother, printing. 81; total,
$247. 80.
The funeral Of Mrs. Charles Hoffman
wife Of the pr oprietor of the Jefferson
House, took place yesterday morning
from her late residence, where Rev. w
p. Patterson conducted services. The
remains were taken to Pennsrrove On
the steamer Major Reybold, thence to
Bridgeport, n. j., where interment was
made. Rev. Mr. Small, Methodist
minister, conducted the services at the
grave.
The Board Of Trade will meet il regu
lar session this evening, and besides he
admission of new members, committees
will be appointed to settle down to active
work for the fall months.
The DeMoss family, musical artists.
gave aconcert before small audience Ia
the old Court House last evening. Some
parts Of the program were very good.
Willie Hunter, a little boy. afflicted
with heart disease, was seized with
at the base ball park yester-
day afternoon, and was unconscious for
soma time. He was taken TO his home
In carriage.