The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1891-09-03
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWN
The Good Hand of Providence at Mays
Head,

The Elizabeth City Economist
Falcon relates the following thrilling
experience of party of bathers at
Mays Head. 1t was narrow escape
ron drowning, in which the hand of
Providence is visible. 1t says:
When the steamer arrived from
Mays Head on Thursday our COM
munity was extensely excited by the
news which it brought of a thrilling
accident which occurred at the sea
beach on the day belre, on Wednes-
day at midday, in the surf, to a party
of bathers, which came nigh resulting
in a fatal tragedy. The party of
bathers was quite large and the specta-
tors On the beach were numerous.
They were splashing in fun and frolic
in the surf and had ventured far when
one on the beach casually remarked
that they had ventured too far, and
observed that they were drifting south
ward. Soon there was observed an
unusual agitation, and throwing up of
the hands Of the bathers, but the waves
were high and their conduct was sup
posed to be only the ebullition ofplay-
fitness, but moment more revealed
their dangerous condition. They had
gone beyond their depth and the dan
gerous undercurrent was sweeping
them out to sea and what was supposed
to be play was life struggle in the
presence of death and cry for rescue
that was inaudible in roaring pillows.
When their condition was realized,
the scene of agony on the beach, as
described to us, beggars reproduction.
Every one that could rushed into the
surf to render what assistance he could.
The bathers were struggling for life.
The strong swimmers swan out to them
and did what they could. The gen.
tlemen who were Bathing were support
ing as best they could the ladies who
were fainting and exhausted, and they
were fast giving away. Some of the
nearest to the shore were borne out by
the swimmers from the beach. Miss
Helen Martin was the first to reach
the shore. Miss Marguerite Hollowell
next, but the surf was full of the strug-
CLING. There was, unfortunately, nc
surf rope. One was hastily procured
by Jno. Wood. 1t was taken by Capt
Walter Harvey, an expert waterman
and daring man in works of kind
ness and benevolence. With all his
efforts he could not hurl it within reach
of Charles Martin who was furthesl
out and supporting Miss Made Bad
ham, who was apparently lifeless. A
gallant boy, Dave Whitehurst, swan
out in the breakers, took the end Of
the surf rope in his teeth and bore i,
to Martin who sliced it, wrapped il
around Miss Badham and himself and
was dragged ashore Miss Kate
Abhertson one of the bathers was
nlAng. She was stumbled over by
Julien Wood who was assisting Miss
Badham. Miss Albertson was brough,
on shore apparentley lifelesS. 1t il
supposed she had been under water
two minutes. She and Miss Badham
were the last that were rescued. They
were brought ashore, unconscious and
apparently with life extinct. DIR. lack
Mcmillan, an experinced physician
was fortunately at Mays Head and
soon at the scene of distress. JTnde,
his direction such restoratives were
used as availed to restore life but no.
conscouneSs, and Miss Albertson wa:
not restored to consciousness until late
on Wednesday.
The bathers who were in such peri
were: Miss Kate Albertson, Mis-
Grandy, Miss Martin, Miss Badham
Mrs. Badham, Miss Albertson, Mr.
Chas. Belz, Mr.. Thos. Old, Mr.. Chas
Martin, Mr.. Norfeet Pruden, Mr.
Robert Whitehurst, Mr.. Robert Smith
Mr.. VIM. Murden, Mr.. Joseph McCabe
Mr.. Harry Whedbee and the LAM
boys. Besides the gentlemen bathing
IN the surf, Mr.. f. +. Lamb, Capt
Walter Harvey, Dave Whitehurst, an,
many other kind and brave men as
sisted in the rescue.
1t was a narrow escape and a mer
ciiul Providence, and it has valuabl
lessons Of warning, among which ar
these: No person should 60 bathin
IN the Ocean surf, without a surf-rop
at hand. There should be a surf police
man constantly in attendance on tn
beach, one who is an expert and re
liable surfman and familiar with tn
shoals and gullies OF the sea bottom