Los Angeles herald., 1892-03-24
The Result of Driving an
Ill-Tempered Bronco.
Nina Charpentier Drowned in
East Los Angeles Reservoir.
The Curious Accident Which Oc-
Cured Yesterday.
A Pleasure Party Which Ended in a
Tragedy-A Horse Which Caused
Death-The Narrow Escape
of Miss Billois.

Nina Cnarpentler, young French
woman, was drowned at $50 O'Clock
last evening in reservoir No. 5, beyond
the end of the Downey avenue cable
line. Her violent death was the sad
ending of pleasure trip which she
went out to enjoy in the company OF her
husband and several friends.
At about 2 O'Clock Albert Charpentier,
with his wife and her friend Georgette
Billois, left the Charpentier home on
Also street for drive. The convey
ance they used was an ordinary
open buggy, to which was hitched an
ill-tempered, hard .mouthed, bucking
bronco.
The little party had agreed to meet
Almond Fercut and Paul Garatta, who
are also friends of the Charpentiers, at
reservoir No. at 4:30 o'clock, the
young men having arranged to 60 out by
the cable cars. The bronco, with the
exception OF several unexpected spurts,
behaved himself so we'll that the two
women and Carpenter enjoyed their
drive hugely.
At about o'clock they arrived at res
ervoir and found Fercat and Garatta
awaiting them. The whole party went
to the little adobe public house near the
reservoir gate, and had talk and soci-
able glass OF coda water all around.
They then broke up, the women return
ing to the buggy, and Fercat and Gar
alta starting back for the cars.
The people at the adobe house say
that when Charpentier got into the We
hicle and took the reins, the horse at
once began to back. Charpentier
touched him up with the whip, but
without effect. The obstinate beast
continued to move backward and in an
instant the whole outfit went down the
embankmenJ and into the water. At
the last moment Charpentier jumped
out of the buggy, and landed in shall
low place, the water only reaching his
waist. The horse, however, kept on
plunging backward until he suddenly
disappeared in hole, dragging the
buggy and the two women with him.
In the meantime, Fercat and Garatta
were walking over the hill towards the
cars. They heard cries behind them,
and upon turning to ascertain the cause
discovered little girl from the adobe
house running excitedly towards them.
"Come back! Come back for Gods
sake!" cried the little one. "All your
friends are in the water"
The two men at once ran back at their
best speed, and arrived at the pond Just
as Georgette Billois was coming to the
surface for the last time. Charpentier
was plunging about in the shallow water,
insane and helpless with excitement.
Mrs. Charpentier and the horse and
buggy had disappeared.
Fercat and Garatta tore off their
superfuous clothing, plunged into the
water and brought out the inanimate
form Of Mademoiselle Billois safely to
shore. Charpentier managed to rescue
himself.
The half-drowned Georgette was car
ried to the adobe and revived, while
Charpentier, realizing the horror of the
situation, tore half of his clothing off
and ran moaning and wringing his
hands, wandering up and down along
the bank. His friends had to restrain
him by force from going back into the
water.
Word was at once sent to police head
quarters and to Coroner Weldon, and
Officer Richardson and the coroner re-
sponded Mr.. Sutch of Orr & Sutch
drove out with the dead wagon, and a
systematic search was begun for the
body of Mrs. Charpentier. The horse
and buggy were discovered with a pole,
and were dragged out by team of
horses. The body of the unfortunate
woman was not, however, entangled
with the vehicle, as had been expected.
Ropes and graphing hooks were sent
for, and the search for the body was con-
tinued after nightfall from boats. The
body was found at o'clock, in forty feet
of water, and was taken to the morgue.
An inquest will be held this morning at
10 o'clock.