The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-11-17
SANK ON THE FLATS.
A Boy and His Would-Be Res
cuer Die by Drowning.
FISHING FROM THE TRESTLE.
A Third Man vainiy Strives TO Save
Them-Pitiable Grief Of the
ChIId's Grandparents.

Near the D0N alnlsh Gr2wbrI6ge. On the
Terminal railroad trestIe, yesterday after
noon BENJAMIN Buell. came 20 his death
by drowning and William Brown, his
grown companion. persisted with him in
trying 10 save him. although George Lott
made desperate efforts TO save them.
Their bodies still lie IN the tide fats. while
the boys grandparents are sorrowing bit
terry over their loss.
Brown. who has been out OF work for
long time. has been in the habit OF walking
over the trestle every day and fishing for
tom cod near the 6rawbridge Yesterday
afternoon young Buell.. who was an orphan
and lived In the Palace hotel on Weller
street with his aged grandparents. Mr.
and Mrs. 3. J. Davis. asked his grand
mother X he could go fishing with Brown.
who roomed IN the house. Mrs. Davis
granted him permission and kissed him
good bye. Arriving at the spot they de-
sired 20 fish from, they baited their hcoss,
and tn throwing his off. Buell. slipped and
fell into the water. aliglting on his face.
George Lotz. who was near by, started to
Climb down the trestle TO catch hold OF
the boy, when Brown. who had pulled of
MS coat and shoes, climbed down over his
(Lotz's) shoulder and slipped into the
water. He swan 10 where the lad was
struggling and got him by the neck He
was good swimmer and kept above water
all right. but could make no headway. as
lhe tde was running very fast and kent
drlvinAhin farther away from the trestle.
While they were struggling in the water
LotZ tried 70 reach them with rope. but
Brown got so excited when he saw almost
certain death staring both him and his
young comrade IN the face that he could
not reach the rope. and soon sank out OF
view
Lotz could not swim and knew that to
jump in after the two meant death to
himself. He did everything he could I'M
DER the circums tances and was very
prompt in summoning help. The North
ern Pacific switch engine and crew hap
pened along. and by them Lotz sent word
to Deputy Coroner Teater, who hurried
10 the scene of the accident. Word was
also sent TO Z. j. Davis, jr. who arrived
just IN time TO see them pull his nephew
out Of the bay with graphing hook The
search for the body OF Brown was con-
tinued until dark, and will be renewed
this morning. The body of the boy was
placed on fiat car and brought TO the
city. 1t was placed In a shed belonging TO
Rohlfs & Schoders- furniture factory
awaiting the arrival OF Undertaken But
terworth's dead wagon.
In the meantime the aged grandparents.
who lived just around the corner. were
notified. and their grief at seeing their
little grandson cold In death was pitiable.
Mr.. Davis. who is Well along in the six
ties, broke down completely and wept
bitterly.
My boy, my boy My darling little
boy" he would sob out in that grief that
can only come from an aching heart.
Mrs. Davis, a sweet-faced, old lady, wept
silently, but bitterly, and reproached her
self for allowing the lad TO go fishing.
Leaning on the arm of her husband she
said:
How lonely home will seem now that
a
OF the cJgious gathered, and scarcely
dry eye could be seen as the body was
taken away TO the undertakers.
Brown has been living at the Palace
hotel for several onths. He was a mid
dle-aged man, of a quiet and retiring dis
position. He spent most of his time fish
ing and made but few acquaintances.
From all that is known. he was n single
man. with few acquaintance in the city.
Benjamin Buell. was an orphan, his
father having died six years ago in Michi-
gan and his mother about three years ago
in this city. His grandparents took him
TO raise and he was the idol OF their
hearts. Between her sobs Mrs. Davis said
to a Post-Intellgencer reporter: My
boy would he II years old II he had lived
until the 18th of January. He was a good
boy, and very bright IN his studies. lie
has been very fond Of fishing. but would
never let him go on account OF the dam
ger, but he asked me so pleadlngly yester-
day that II just couldn't refuse him.
He was very dear to Us and We shall miss
him so much"
When he said goodbye, grandpa to
me yesterday I felt as II something was
going 10 happen" added Mr.. Davis. Tho
old couple live on the top floor of he
Palace hotel.
1t is expected that the body Of Brown
will be recovered at low tide early this
morning. and in case 1t is, an inquest Will
be held today.
The body OF Brown was found at 1880
BY Nels Nelson and John Green withhi
ten feet Of where the boy was found There
was a bruise on the right ear and on the
right side Of the head. The body was taken
TO Butterworth's.