Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1890-05-27
THEY DIE TOGETHER.
TWO COUSINS DROWNED IN THE
POND AT PROVIDENCE FORGE.
MI Chapman's Boat Cspsizcs. and Mr.
Dean, Going TO HIS Rescue, Meets
n similar Fate.

Messrs. William c.. Chapman. Jr., and
Wexford G.. Dean. both residents of this
city, were drowned yesterday afternoon in
the mill-pond at Providence Forge.
They left here about 10 o'clock Yesterday
morning with large excursion party, both
well, hearty, and in fine spirits, and their
lifeless bodies were brought back on the
same train at 7;l5 o'clock last night.
Providence Forge Is on the Peninsula di-
vision Of tho Chesapeake and Ohio railway
about nineteen miles east OF Richmond.
The Whit-MCnday excursion to this place
yesterday was given by the Excelsior So
cial Club, and the party carried down
numbered something over 800.
HOW IT HAPPENED.
Persons who are familiar with the ar
rangements at Providence Forge will recall
the fact that near the dam. on the east side
Of the pond and just short way no from
the mill, there ia n bOat-hOuse.
IL was from this point that Mr.. Chapman
between and O'clock started out tor
boat-ride. He had only gotten about fifty
yards from the shore, rowing almost di-
rectly across the pond, when his boat cap
sized and he was carried under.
There were only two or three men and
who witnessed the occurrence. One of
these was MIR. Dean, q first cousin to Chap
man. and he jumped in another boat and
started ont TO the rescue of his relative,
but had not gotten more than half the dis
tance when his boat also capsized and he
went under.
The bystanders ran TO the nearest point
and threw plank into the pond, but MIR.
Dean was not able 10 reach IL, and he and
his fripnH aud kipanap sunk within n few
yards of each other never to rise again.
BODIES RECOVERED.
! Several persons pulled off their clothes
and dived for the bodies, and it seemed
! for long time that they would not be
| found. but finally gentleman from Full
| ton. who appeared TO be an expert diver,
caught the foot of Mr.. Dean, and SWIM
ming with one hand drew the body to the
| shore.
He then returned and soon found Chap
mans body, and locking his legs around it
swan to the bank with il.
The sad occurrence threw a darnper
over the large party, and while dsrclng
| was continued in a feeble sort of way most
of the amusements provided for the day
were abandoned and the crowd anxiously
! awaited the time for the train to leave on
the return trip to the city.
DOUBLE FUNERAL TO-DAY.
Upon the arrival Of the train the bodies
were taken 10 the undertaking establish
ment of Messrs. Billups & Son to be pre-
pared for intcrment.
There will be double funeral from the
Leigh-Street Baptist church at 4:90 o'clock
| this afternoon aud the bodies will be in
| tered in OakwoOd cemetery.
! PERSONAL.
Mr.. Dean. the older of the two men
| drowned. was the son of the late Otis
| Dean, who was for many years employed
at the City Gas-Works, and was in the
thirty-third year of his age. He resided at
| No. SOB north Twenty-fifth street with his
mother, who has been an invalid for many
years. He was machinist by trade.
Mr.. Chapman. who was carpenter, was
a son of Mr. William c, Chapman, andlived
with his parents at No. 722 north Twenty.
sixth street. He was in his twenty-third
year. and was q member of Hope Council,
Junior Order United American Mechanics.
Two brothers survive HIM.