The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-08-26
LAST
EDITION
4:45 O'CLOCK.
DROWNED.
Thomas F. Glbane
LOST his LNG.
He Bravely Tried to Rescue
His Sweetheart.
A Picnic Party's Thrilling Experiences
Of Gaspee Point, Sunday.
Timely Rescue of Several Persons by
Residents of Pawtuxet Neck.
He Bravely Tried to Rescue
His Sweetheart.
A Picnic Party's Thrilling Experience
of Gaspee Point, Sunday.
Timely Rescue of Several Persons by
Residents of Pawtuxet Neck.

One of the most peculiar as well as
one of the saddest drowning accidents
of the season occurred about IL o'clock
y esterday noon off the end OF Gaspee
Joint, short distance below Pawtuxet,
And but for the presence of mind OF some
residents OF Pawtuxet. Neck more than
one death, and possibly four must have
ensued. The unfortunate who lost his
life was Mr.. Thomas K. Gilbane, second,
a cousin OF the Gilbane Brothers, we'll
known contractors OF Providence, who
was in bathing With five meinDers or the
John l.. Maher family, who reside at
the corner of Smith street and Chalk
stone avenue. 1t seems that Mr.. ana
Mrs. Maher. accompanied by their infant
son, ana Mrs. Maher's eldest daughter,
Airs. Mary Byron, who was also accom-
panied by her children, who comprised
a daughter, Violet 70 years old, another
daughter, Sadie, 16 years old, and a son,
Frank, IL years old, started out for
days camping and outing at the head OF
Muddy Cove, Mr.. Gilbane going with
them. About noon, when the tide was
on the ebb, six of the party put on their
bathing suits and walked to near the end
of Gaspee Point, on the south side, to try
the water The beach being rather poorer
on that side than on the north side the
party went aorund the point and began
wading out. Mrs. Byron had remained
on shore with the baby. When the xfhad
waded out to where the water did not
quite reach their arm-pits they joined
hands and began to disport themselves
by jumping up and down and ducking,
unmindful or ignorant OF the fact that
the tide rushes around the point ike the
water in a sluice-way, and before tney
knew it they were swept off their feet
and carried beyond their depth. When
they realized that the undertoW was more
than they could combat they "broke
ranks in crazy effort to reach shore,
but to no avail.
Luckily it happened that Mr.. Frank w.
Rockwell, who resides on the neck, was
| out with party of friends in 16-foot
! boat about that time They had just had
| q swim and were starting away when
! they heard cries for help and, looking
/ around, saw two heads bobbing up and
down in the water. The heads belonged
| TO Mr.. Gilbane and Sadie Byron. They
put out and arrived In time to rescue
| Sadie, but Gilbane sank again before
they reached him, and was drowned.
| After rescuing Sadie however, Mr.. Rock
! well saw Violet Byron's hair floating on
the water some distance away. Her hair
was thrown forward, the face being
under the water, and he grabbed her by
the hair, pulled her into the boat ana
| drew her face downward, over the gum
vale, thus giving the water she had
swallowed opportunity 70 run out. 80
a hand-that of the boy Frank-making
Intellectual grasps Just above the surface
of the water. He called to his cousin,
George Geer, to hold out an oar and see
If the hnd would grasp it.. Mr.. Geer did
so; the hand caught 1t and held on, ana
| Frank was saved just as life was about 10
leave him.
shouts from Mr.. Maher, who was In
practically shallow water, not over hie
head. but who was almost frightened TO
death, had attracted the attention OF the
| III htat
he was in no immediate danger and told
him to keep padding while they tried to
save the rest. Mr.. John Gledhill put out
from the shore about that time, he hav-
ing been out with his wife and niece
previously, and had just before gone
ashore 10 90 i'm bathing, and Mr.. Mhher
caught on TO the end of his boat and was
towed to safety.
Mr.. Gilbane was engaged to Miss Vio-
let Byron, and il was I'm an effort TO save
her that he was drowned. His body was
not recovered until the middle OF the
afternoon, when Mr.. GladhiIl, who had
been searching for IL, found IL.
OF the Others, Miss Violet was in the
worst condition, but she practically re
, covered consciousness before reaching
shore, and Mr.. Rockwell saw that she
would live. However, when Mr.. Rock
wells party made the landing, that gen
tleman started post haste in carriage
! for Dr. Il. r. Gof: OF Pawtuxet, the un
. fortunates being looked after by severa
|. who had gathered, among them being
Mrs. Rocwkell, who showed herself TO b'
! a most efficient nurse.
Considerable difficulty was experienced
I'm getting a coroner, and finally DR. Fielt
responded and permitted Mr. GiIhane'
remains to be taken to Proyidence al
$50 O'Clock last evening.
1 Deceased was a fine young fellow, VIII
boarded with James W. Hicks, o. Can
= | 4 Ia VraQ n mOnrNr q
2 the Catholic Knights of America and et
| .uoaad - patriakta Church.