Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1890-05-08

Yacht struck. the stern swung around, and
Wells and the others near him went out !
saw Mclaughlin padding down the river,
but l don't mind seeing Wells after we
George Wincher, the expressman, was
on the wharf, with his wagon, when the
accident occurred, and the people were
thrown into the water. He said he saw
Wells 20 down, and he did not return 70
the surface. He was sure IL was MT
Wells, and equally sure he was drowned.
Mr.. George Hook was on his way TO sup
per- and was standing on the wharf whe1
The accident occurred. He said he and
others called TO the men in charge OF the
other Yacht. the Hazel, to 90 TO the rescue
of the half-drowned passengers, but the re
suonse was that the yacht would not work,
and that they could not do it. II twas a ter
rible sight TO see men and women strug-
cling i'm the water. without being able 70
save them. Brooks and English went un-
der the barge. while Mclaughlin and Wells
were outside
4 few moments after the accident re-
porter for the REGISTER saw Engineer En-
ole. still clothed in his wet garments, ana
looking decidedly white about the face'
Mr.. Engle said 80. 7.
THE accident was nobody,s tault. IL
was purely an accident One OF the LADY 5
dresses was drawn into the block through
which the rudder rope runs, ana no one
knew, for time, what the matter was;
pulled on the rope as hard as couia oul
could not make it run free; When saw
mn accident was bound to happen, / tried
TO back the engine, but 1t was then she
struck and went under
Mr. Saddler said -
1--WE were coming in all right, and as we
came close to the barge, ! attempted to pull
her head around to make the usual landing,
bnt the rudder would not respond, and !
could not see. at first, what the cause was.
Then Mrs Mendel, who was perfectly
cool said her dress and, | think, part OF
her shawl, was caught in the pulley. l
gave il hard jerk, and finally loosened the
rope. and must have torn her dress IN DONG
so. for something tlew out. But by this Tune
il was too late TO avoid striking the barge,
and as we did so, over she went.
w NJ Scheehle. of No. 2l23 Main street,
said
Il was in the yacht, and when ! was
thrown into the water lady caught hold
of me | managed TO catch hold Of the
Yacht. after her bow came up, but had a
hard struggle to make il. Mr. McLaugl-
lin and MIR Wells We're sitting together IN
the stern of the boat near the engineer. ]
saw them fall into the water, but saw
neither of them afterwards Pitcher Lyle
was in the water with me. / did not see
Wells after the boat careened, and we fell
ont | could see Mr.. Saddler making an
effort to change the course OF the boat De
fore the Yacht overturned.
Others in the boat had about the same eX-
perience to relate. All agreed that Mr..
Wells was in the stern of the boat, sitting
nj "a ~ a.
was crossing the river. he laughed about
the liability of the boiler to explode. Mr..
Brooks seems TO have been close 10 Mr..
Wells. probably on the opposite side OF the
boat. There was some talk about the sell
fish action Of some of the men when the
boat struck the barge, but there
seems to be no foundation for this,
rs those who were able to take
care of themselves, when IN
the water, or who We're fortunate enough
in getting out. promptly lent aid TO the full
extent of their power TO others, and partlc-
ularlv to the ladies, as witness the prompt
rescue of both. Mrs. Hornbrook having
gone down once or twice, and being selzcd
bv one hand as she rose TO the surface,
probably for the last time. 1t Is probably
true. however. that the efforts OF many OF
the men to seize hold Of the gunwaleof the
barge. when they saw that the yacht must
strike il, aided very materially It's upset
ting
Last evening all those who were rescued
were resting as well as could be expected,
probable the most serious case among them
being Mr. Mclaughlin, who was splitting
blood. and who had two or three physicians
i'm attendance upon him. When Mr.. Eng
Hsh was taken TO the Hotel Behler, i'm
mediately after his rescue from the water,
he was practically unconscious, but was
gradually brought around by a physician,
assisted by many willing hands. Mr..
Brooks also received prompt medical aid.
The news of the accident, and the fact
that but one life had been lost-that of Mr..
Wells-was promptly bulletined at the
REGISTER Office, and this served in great
measure to allay the fear, still very preva-
lent, that more than one life had been sac
rificed. while at the same time 1t confirmed
the sad news that Mr.. Wells was no more,
carrying sorrow 10 the hosts OF friends the
dead architect possessed. Throughout the
city there were expressions Of grief at his
untimely taking on, and many AT late
hour were still hoping against nope that he
might turn up, there being, among other
rumors. one that he had succeeded in sus-
tanning himself above the surface until he
passed the mouth of the creek. There
seems to be no foundation for this, how
ever.
About half past six the sunken yacht, the
bow of which projected above the water,
was raised to the surface, by heavy line,
which was passed to men on board the C.,
l.. x w. wharfboat, and the boat was
bailed out and the work Of putting her in
shape commenced. While this was going
on there was some trouble with the other
Yacht. the Hazel, which caused shudder
to run through the large crowd which still
fingered around The Hazel started to
leave the wharf laden with some six or
eight passengers, hut just as she
was passing the spot whore the Ger
trude went down she became balky and
drifted down against the head of the same
barge when had caused the sinking of the
Gertrude. The men on board grasped the
barge as the yacht struck il, and lost mighty
little time in scrambling upon its deck, but
the Yachts crew stuck to her, and sue
ceeded. after a little time, in bringing her
back to the landing.
The crowd did not disperse from the
scene until long after dark, and the acct
den was the leading tonic of conversation
duriup the evening