Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-04-19
Death i'm the Angry Waters.

Ned Alexander and James Fitzgerald
Swept from their Canoe while on
Trip Down the River.
One of the saddest occurrences to our
village for many years was the death by
drowning of two of our most popular young
men, S. A. Alexander, ir., so Familiarity
known here from boyhood as Ned" and
James Fitzgerald, who has for some years
been pleasantly identified with the young
people, particularly of the Baptist society.
Tuesday afternoon, after the water in the
Connecticut river had gone down some
what from its highest point, but was still
very high, the two started out in a small
cedar canoe, which Fred Thompson had
recently purchased of one of the Russell
boys at Lawrence, and which all were
anxious to try. There seems a difference
of opinion as to whether they intended,
when they started, to go down the river, or
were just going out a short distance and
return, but a trip down the river had been
discussed.
Some who were present at the time think
they intended to return in few minutes
to the shore. Certain it is that when out
in the stream, the current running like
mill race, they were carried rapidly down
lost to sight around the bend a mile below.
Without doubt after starting they enjoyed
the experience of the rapid motion and
made no effort to return. Within a half
hour they were seen near Westminster by
river men running rapidly and seemingly
enjoying their trip.
At Putney Flats, about a mile and
half this side of Putney the house of Be
noni Shaw was surrounded by water from
overlooking of the meadows, and as young
Alexander was acquainted with the family,
they rowed in near to his door and had a
chat with the family, about an hour only
after leaving here, the boat having gone
about sixteen miles in the time. They
said their plan was to 60 as far as Putney
and come back here with their boat on the
6 o'clock train. Mr.. Shaw warned them
of the dangerous condition of the river be-
low, in matter of whiIlpools, but they were
enjoying their trip so much they felt con-
fdent they were all right, and started
down.
Several others saw the party at diff
ferent places, none below a point about a
mile this side of Putney. Not till late
that evening did their friends begin to
worry, but when the second train came in
at II o'clock that night and they did not
return, much fear was expressed Early
Wednesday morning two boats with river
men and others well manned, started down
the river anXiously watching for signs of
the missing ones, and questioning those
living near the shores. Just after noon.
when about two miles below Putney, both
boats almost simultaneously discovered
the canoe caught in some willows near the
Vermont side, and Fastening to it found
it partly file with water the paddles
gone and no sign of the boys. Nothing
further has been learned of them and there
is no doubt they persisted in whirlpool
and undertow just above Putney station.
| There is little hope of the recovery of the
bodies, although every effort is being
made to that end.
Mr.. Alexander was 26 years old, the
| youngest of three sons of Scion n. Alex
ander, one of the oldest residents of our
town, who. as well as his estimable wife
| is almost Frustrated by the calamity. The
brothers, Hugh and Harry, are well re-
membered here, one having gone west some
years ago, and the other residing in Boston
Ned was to have been married soon tC
Miss Carrie Lamson, a granddaughter OF
John Robertson.
James Fitzgerald was about the same
Island, and from the same village in which
Rev. c. r. B. Dodge formerly lived. Hi:
coming was because of Mr.. Dodges resi-
dence here. He was unmarried, anC
boarded with Mrs. Ladd on Henry street
He leaves father and mother at his home
He was a faithful, genial friend, popula
among all with whom he came in contact
He leaves a brother here who is employed
bV the Fall Mountain PAPER company
Fitzgerald was employed by VIM. A. Hal
as foreman in his paint mandatory. Al
eXanler was for some years employed il
the office of the Geo. X. Russell pape
mill, and when that passed into othe
hands he went to the Fall Mountain Pape
company, and for the last year or NOR
held the position of cashier and paymaster
Hosts of friends are sympathizing with tn
with so much greater weight.