The Wilmington daily Republican., 1895-06-03
Elf I'll ED![|.TII0i.| /
A SUNDAY sATHER BROWNS.
Nineteen Year Old Harry
Peters Seized With Cramps And
Friends Could Not Save Him,

A Sunday afternoon bath which 81 year
old Harry Peters took with three friends
yesterday ended In his death. lie died Ia
the very presence of hs companions and
fully one hundred other bathers who
were powerless to aid him.
Peters lived at No. 4i9 South Van Duren
street. and with Charles Edwards of No,
Il2S Pleasant street, Sesse Ii. Darton OF
No. POLL Mark street anu Samuel Shuck
of Moueeley's Row, left their homes for
stroll up the Brandywlne creek. They
crossed the foot bridge OF Augustine and
walked along the north eide OF the stream
10 jessup's dam where large number OF
men and boys were bathing.
Tho quartette being excellent swim.
mers and each being fatlgued by their
walk decided to join the bathers, although
Peters was at first opposed TO gowln9 In.
to the water. BY percussion Peters con.
sented and the four entered the water,
They enjoyed themselves for probably
half an hour and at the time when the
unfortunate young man wGs In midstream
and In water twenty feot deep he was
heard to cry
Ha had been seized with a cramp in the
limbs and had lost control OF his legs The
picture presented was q sad one. On
every side were the bathers but none
went to the assistance of the drowning
man but one OF his friends. but which one
is unknown. He reached Peters as he was
going down the second time and then fol.
lowed frantic struggle for life by the
two men. The other bathers were attract.
ed by the now doubled cries for assistance
but they were poweress SO frightened
were they.
Peters had risen and sunk five times
the last time Y RoiDg down with a gurgiing
ana uespalrluR cry never to reappeaE
alive. The man who had made such o
gallant. effort to rescue him also went
down with the drowning man, but the
death like grip was broken und he arose
and swan ashore almost exhausted.
mo scene then became more startling
and sensational one. One OF the young
men who had ccompained Peters on his
walk. and presumably the one who had
made an effort toiEave him became frantic
and broke from those who were holding
htm and dashed for the creek bank I
am going to die with Harry he cried. but
ohlookefs grasped tho frantic youth be.
FORE he could succeed In his purpose.
-Four mon held him, all the while the
man nghting like mad. At Inst overcome
Inc young inan became Unconscious, and
IL was with difficulty that he was resusci.
tated.
While this sensational climax was being
enacted TO the already sad ending OF the
young mons walk. Walter McKaIg and
Maloney were diving for the body Of
Peters. They found IL about 20 minutes
after he had sunk the final time, few
feet from the dam breast.
Ahcy bWdm Win u5uOT6 Dut NO one
mado any attempt to save the spark Of
life which might bo In the limp body at
that time and when many people learned
OF that they were very Indignant The
body was laid under tree until the ar.
rival of Coroner Stidham, who rem moved 1t
to the mOrgue.
Peters was an excellent swimmer and
before lie was seized with the cramp had
SWAN the creek several times. He was
In an unusual good humor chatting and
Joking with his friends while In the water
Tho drowning and sensational climax
occurred about O'clock at time when
the park was crowded with pleasure
seekars and tho news of the sad affair
soon was heard throughout the PARK
boundary.
Many people went to spot and the
friends of the dead youth remained with
tho body until the arrival Of ths coroner.
Peters was well known young man and
stone mason by trade. His body will
probably he Inferred to mt orrow after
noon.