The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1896-07-27

ttE --- 10
There were, two drownings in this vi
clnity yesterday, and the rivers hungry
nav claimed three victims.
Last hight about 5 o'clock a party OF
four Bellaire people were out boating on
the swollen river. They had been up
McMahon creek at Bellaire as far as
the back water from the rivert%ould
allow and had then come down the creek
TO the river, intending to take a look at
the big river and so ashore In the party
were two women, Mrs. Sylvester long
and her seventeen-year-old daughter.
Miss Daisy Long, one of twins, and two
young men,, Arthur Bennett aid Will
lam France, all living in the. western
part of Bellaire. y
From the mouth Of the creek the two
men rowed the sk.ff to the Baltimore &
Ohio railroad bridge pier, below which
the United States government Eisnag-
boat. E. a.. Woodruff, was lying having
gone to the bank at Bcllaire on account
OF the very high water,which prevent
ed her from continuing the work of
taking snass out Of the channel at
Bloch Brothers tobacco works, in the
lower part Of Wheeling. Just: at the
pier OF the bridge the boating party
rested on their oars to take a look at
the curious government craft. They
had been there not over minute when
the furious current aided by the eddy
fromthe bridge pier, caught their frail
craft, and. before Bennett and France
could do anything to prevent it, had
caps!zed vt just below the pier"nntl a
short DISTANCE above the stafboard
wheel of the, Woodruff. Both women
and men sank out of sight and Mrs.
Long did not appear on the surface OF
the water, according to the stories told
by witnesses of the tragedy.
Bennett and Trance, however. soon
rt-apneared on the surface OF thesriver
and Miss Long too. rose. Bennett
caught the girls dress and made heroic
Efforts to save her, but she pcrsisted
IN making him powerless by h5lHng
MS arms Finally the current carried
me struggling pair to the wheel of the
woodruff. which Bennett caught with
one hand and attempted. with the as
s!stance of the other man, to raise sthe
young woman out OF the water. Unfor-
tunately she eluded their grasp and
Sank again and was seen no moro: The
men We're assisted aboard the Wood
ruiz, and then an effort was made to
md trace ofithc two women. but
without avail Undoubtedly they were
drowned, and on account Of the very
nigh river and the swift current 1t Is
doubtful that their, bodies will be re-
covered. So = So
Mrs. Longs husband Is Sylvester
Long, fisherman. well known In and
about Belaire. For some time they have
not lived together. Mrs. Long, with her
two daughters. lived in the western end
Of Bella!re. The two young men, Ben
nett and France. were neighbors. Mrs.
Long was about thIrty-five years OF
age 4, Is x .ia}t,,
The double drowning caused intense
excitement in Bellairc last night. and
great crowds were attracted to the river
front while efforts were being made to
recover the bodies. a 81
sad drbwnlpg occurred In Wheeling
creek Just Beyond the Baltimore & Ohio
tunnel yesterday afternoon, In the same
locality where 80 many young men and
boys have lost their lives. The latest
victim Is Matthew McClannahan,
youngest son Of James McClannahan.
the wagon maker. living at iii Lind
street. The young man, who had not
qu!te reached the age OF nineteen years,
N company with two or three compan-
"ns went out the creek about 4 O'Clock
70 20 In bu.hng. and although warned
oy several by-standers not to venture
100 far out In the stream, which Is at
present very high, he went in. His com=
paniona say he swan across the crcel;
ohce and had rested on the other side
pFoDaniya hve minutes then started
pack, put In the middle Of the creek he
was seized with the deadly cramps and
save the alarm, but no one was near
,housh 70 reach him before 1t was too
'atG. he came to the surface five times
and Just MS he went down for the last
t'Ine AkltF containing young men who
Haa heen rowing about, reached the spot,
".t 100 late Young McClannahan was
atthe bottom. 33,S 5 iS NJ ID I'LL RI
Efforts were made to.rccovcr. the body
Sna seine and grab hooks brought Into
"!iy around the spot where he had dis
ttppeared. At Gas o'clock the seine
brought the drowned boy to the surface
Gown. IA MI - = ~ - ~ "
I ne body was ,takcntnt once to Men
GviH Undertaking establishment. where
4 ,s.,~aa prepared for burial ndiwill be
G ,S, to the family home on Lind street
My MY morning. Coroner Schultac VA.
m n",l,led and will hold an inquest this
\ ".pnrning at II o'el',ck.
4 /, 'n Ne father Of the young man has beer
coShe employ OF the Bodley WagOG
0y,upanyS for many years and when the
4 ynn a moved toIStaunton. Va, several
n NtS a.o, hn&wert6with Sthc,njand Tho
\ est "a OF ne sudden death Of his young
4 r t1 VIII beisad for him indeed. y x