Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1895-05-08
TRAGIOEND OFAPLEASUREPA PARTY.
Miss Birdie Nef Of Mount Jackson, and
Miss Anna y. Wyatt, Of Charles
TOlrR, Lose Their Ltres.

Mr.. JACKSON, Va, May 5-The capsiz-
ing Of a skiF containing four occupants, the
drowning Of two popular young ladies, the
miraculous escape of another young lady
aud their escort in an almost death struggle
with the swift current, is the sad sequel to
a pleasure outing here last evening. About
7:S0 o'clock c. L. Bowman, cashier Of the
Mount Jackson Nation Bank, accompanied
By Miss Elsie Payne, formerly Of Winches-
ter Miss Birdie, eldest daughter Of Capt.
| J. G. Nef, member of the last Legislature,
and Miss Anna V, daughter Of j. G. Wyatt,
| Of Charles Town, w. Va, took q stroll along
the banks Of the Shenandoah river. A few
hundred yards from town they met Barney
Hall, a farmer, residing on the opposite side
ofthe river, who had Just crossed in a small
skiF. Mr.. Hall kindly prolTered the use of
the boat, and Mr.. Bowman replying, That's
the very thing" a statement Endorsed by the
ladies. they were soon rowing toward the
middle Of the river.
Two hundred yards down stream, the
channel being narrow and still swollen from
recent rains. the current attaius trightful
y,l,cj. .,J,icing their approach TO an
eddy, Mr.. Bowman suggested their return,
he aud Miss Payne manning the oars. sud
denly Mr.. Bowman, realizing they were be-
ing carried swiftly and surely with the cur
rent, cried, I'VE are going" At this in
slant the boat was passing under the limb
of a tree and Mr.. Bowman grasped it, in the
vain hope Of checking its course. This &C
ton proved fatal. For an instant he was
thrown backward in the water. Being an
able TO swim, his escape to the bank after
sinking twice was miraculous. The sudden
and violent lurch of the boat threw Miss
NeH in the river. Her two companions by
almost superhuman effort drew her in the
boat. At this point the boat struck a log
and capsized, throwing all three in the river.
Miss Payne, with rare presence of mind,
made an effort to swim and it was doubtless
due to this fact that she is alive. Becoming
exhausted in her struggle with the swift
current she sank. Her feet touching ground,
she knew she was nearing shore which she
finally reached.
Mr.. Bowman now appearing, the two pro-
ceeded some distance down the river, but no
trace of the other two was visible. Their
cries for help were heard by many persons,
who Immediately ran toward the river, find
ing Mr.. Bowman and Miss Payne in an ex-
ksusted condition on the opposite bank. In
a short time hundreds were searching the
river. At ten O'Clock the body Of Miss
Wyatt was discovered two hundred yards
down the stream beneath q clump of bushes,
her hands tightly clasping a small branch.
Her watch stopped at $40 o'clock. Drs.
Koontz, Moore and Davis used every means
known to medical science to resuscitate her,
but without avail.
A few minutes thereafter the body Of Miss
Nef was found one mile below this point
She being much heavier in weight indicates
that she clung to the boat until thoroughly
exhausted, relinquishlng her hold and sank.
Miss Nea-s parents aud two sisters survive
her. who are heartbrokeu with grief. She
was buried this evening at . o'clock, Rev.
Mr.. Polk. of the Lutheran Church, Of which
she was a member, assisted by Rev. Mr..
Snyder, president Of the Virginia Synod,
and Rev. DR.. Stephenson, Of the Presbyte-
rian Church, Woodstock, officiating. Eff
teen hundred people attended the funeral
All services in the churches this morning
we're suspended. The whole community has
been plunged in sorrow.
Miss Wyatt's body was taken to Charles
Town this evening for interment, where. her
father and brother reside She was a beau
tiful lady, aud during her short stay here
endeared herself to all. She WAS a member
of the Presbyterian Church. Her father, j.
G. Wyatt. was for a number OF years men,
Der of the old Baltimore 6rm.of Hull, Akin
son & Co. Miss Wyatt had been teaching
in the n~eighborhor for several months, and
was about twenty four years Of age.-BaAf-
more SIN dispatch.