The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-05-30

A hcartIcndlng fatal accident occur.
rod on tho Island lcrry boat Charleston
yesterday about noon. by which james
McCourtnoy, nged nearly eleven years,
lost his lie. lie was q son oil Mr.. J. Il.
McCourtnoy, OF tho Island. president Of
the Bellaro stoel and iron company.
1t was not known that tho lad was oil
tho boat until his doad body was found,
tho head lying In pool OF his own
blood, OH tho deck at tho storm OF the
boat. Otto WsisgorOcr first saw tho
boy, and callod tho attention Of JET
Frame, n mcmbor OF tho boats crew, to
him. Whom Frame reached tho stern
OF tho boa, the boys lilo WAS extinct
and his heart had ceased to beat.
Though assured Of this. Frame ut
once ran for doctor. lilo lirat stopped
ut DR.. Mycrs's office. but he being out,
no ran on to Dr.. McGrails. When tho
doctor reached tho boat, however, no
saw at onco tia. all human skill was
unavaiinG.
Tho body wac rom owed 10 tho home OF
tho parents on South Front stroet after
word had boon conveyed ID gently as
possible TO Mr. and Mrs McCourtnoy,
who were nearly dorancod by the shock
OF the terrible ncws.
Exactly how the accident occurred
cannot DO known except as inferred
from tho surroundings. At tho g:ern OF
the boat, surrounded by "a narrow strip
OF tho deck, are two boxes out OF which
rise tho two rudder shafts. These
shafts arc round beams tho size OF a
telegraph pole. The hole in tho top OF
each box is perhaps twice rs big in
diameter as the upright shalt. and tho
latter turn. in it and also o.cillates from
side TO side. Tho shaft 10 tho left hole
was spattorcl with blood clear to tho
surface OF the wator.
1t is evident that the boy had put his
head into the hole. and was examining
tho ruddOr or looking ut the wheel,
when tho big beam turned aud crushed
his head against the sidc OF the opening.
As long as tho rndder was held in
that position the boy'a hoad must have
been pinned fast to the board. lie was
probably caught as tho boat left tho Is.
land landing. When tho rudder was
again turned on approaching this side
OF the river, ho was released, aud he
foil with his head toward the shore and
about hal! his longth from tho opening
where no waa crushed TO death. When
Frame first reached him the blood was
still oozing from his nose. ears and
mouth, and no had bled terribly. 1t Is
thought he had lain whore he was
found while the boat made one round
trip. at least Manager Glasscock. OF
the icrry, thinks he could not have lain
longer than that
County Coroner Semitic was notified
and made an examination, rendering 4
decision in accordance with tho facts
as told above. Nobody can be held &C
coun,ablo for the sad accident.
Tho lad was well liked by all his play.
mates. He was refined. manly little
fellow, the youngest child Of his be.
reayod parents, who have the tendercst
sympathy OF q wide circle OF friends.
A sister is attending school in Phila.
dclphia, and was expected homo on
Friday 10 spend vacation. She was
notified OF tho accident at once. as was
also Mr.. Howard McCourtney, brother.
who lives in Chicago.
Tho ncws oil tho accident spread
rapidly, and it cSuaod an unusually
general sensation Of horror aud regret.