The Portland daily press., 1890-08-11
THEY Persisted TOGETHER.
Sons Of Messrs. L. M. Cousens and
A. q. Merrill Drowned.
One of Them Died In the Effort to
Save His Friend.
Efforts at Resuscitation Made, But
Without Success.

A sad drowning accident at West Fall
mouth late Saturday afternoon brought
grief into the families of two Portland citi-
zens. For many years the sons of Mr.. Ly-
man M. Cousens have spent some time In the
summer season at the farm of Mr.. John
Stewart, which is short distance from
Black Strap and near the Little Piscataqua
river. This year, Mr. Cousens's son, John
True Cousens. aged IA years and eight
months, and his younger brother, Lyman A.
had begun their usual visit at Mr.. Stewards
place. Saturday, Samuel ii. Merrill, son of
Mr.. A. B. Merrill of this city, went out to
Falmouth to spend week or two with the
two boys. Young Merrill was somewhat
older than his friend, the elder Cousens boy,
being 16 years and seven months of sge.
In the afternoon the three boys went down
to the hay field some distance from the
house where Mr.. Stewart was at work.
Then. after watching the haymakers, they
set off for the, river. The boys, were In the
habit of bathing in the stream, but Saturday
did not select their usual place. What han
pened after the three had gone into the
water is gathered from the story of little
Lyman Cousens, who is but 10 years old. 1t
seems that John, who could not swim, had
gone out some distance from the bank and
found himself in water beyond his depth.
Young Merrill at once went to HE
tanoe. Little Lyman says that the boys
made no cutlery. They simply struggled for
life and persisted together. Merrill could
swim. but his efforts In behalf of his friend
were unavailing, just why will never be
known. Cousens had been cautioned that If he
evergot into water over his head he must keep
his mouth closed while trying to reach shore,
and he evidently remembered this when he
found himself sinking. The two boys
whose lives were SO sadly ended, had been
almost inseparable companions ever since
they were children. One of them gave up
his own life in the effort to save the other.
The youngest Of the trio did what he
could. Hastily slipping on his shirt he ran
without other clothing to find Mr.. Stewart.
about quarter of mile away. Mr.. Stew
art was soon on the spot and number of
neighbors also gathered to help in the work.
Mr. Charles Woodbury. of this city, who was
at the house of his father, Mr.. John Wood
bury, his brother, Mr.. Eben Woodbury. and
Mr.. Blake. stripped and dove for the bodies.
but Notwithstanding their promptness and
the will with which they worked the bodies
had been beneath the water nearly an hour
when recovered. The Merrill boy was found
the nearer to the bank, but both had sunk to
the bottom.
In the meantime messengers had been de-
spatched for doctors. DIR. Moulton of Cum
berland Centre was found in the neighbor-
hood and arrived at Mr.. Woodbury's house
shortly after the bodies were borne there,
and soon had the help of DR.. Parker of AL
lens Corner in his efforts to resuscitate the
boys. The neighbors had begun the work
the moment the bodies were taken from the
water. Everything possible was done, but
life was extinct. At one time it was thought
that Merrilps pulse was beating feebly, bat
the hope thus caused died away as no other
signs of life appeared.
Mr.. Cousens was notified of the accident
and went out, accompanied by Mrs. Cousens,
Mr.. and Mrs. Merrill and DR.. Way. Later
message was sent to Coroner Rich, who had
the bodies removed to his undertaking rooms.
Mr.. Rich, of course. found an inquest unnec-
essary.
The funeral of the two boys will be held
from the house of Mr.. Cousens, 23l Cumber-
land street tomorrow afternoon at three
o'clock. Young Merrill will be buried at
Yarmouth and Cousens in Evergreen Gene
tery