The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-08
DROWNED IN cRABTREE
MOoNEYHAN'S BODY FOUND ON
THE MUD FLATS
Attempted to Cross the Creek and was
Drowned in the Swollen Stream
Another Man Narrowly Escaped.

l Another Man Narrowly Escaped.
| Yesterday morning on the mud
| fats along the banks of Crabtree
| creek. in what are known as "Whita-
ker's low grounds the body of a man
! was found. Tt lay near the county
| road, and on the east side of it. The
man was evidently drowned, for the
corsep bore no marks Of foul play.
| Superintendent McMackin found the
| body.
He went out to Crabtree to look the
ground over and see what damage had
been done by the freshet
ON THE MUD FLATS.
The low grounds along the banks OF
the creek are covered with deep sheet
of water; the muddy torrent had
spread far outside the banks, and
rushed along with the force of the over
| flow.
When the waters receded yesterday
| morning, the low grounds along the
creek were covered with a thick coat
ing of mud.
Looking over this sea of mud, not
| far from the road, Mr. McMac<in saw
| the body lying face downward Near
| the body were three wagons half bur-
led in the mud.
He left the body there and sent for
DR.. Ellis, the County Coroner.
THE BODY IDENTIFIED.
For several hours the body laid un-
identified. The body was that of a
Young man, some twenty years of age,
and he was dressed in the garb of a
working man. He was evidently from
the country.
Later in the day some persons ar
rived who knew the young man, and
identified him as William Monaghan.
He was the son of Mr.. Wesley Mon
evhan. one Of the best known farmers
in Barton's Creek township, Wake
county. Those who knew him said he
was only 16 years old.
Yesterday the father of the drowned
young man started to town with a
load of wood. When he reached Crab
tree bridge he was told of his sons
sad death. He was overcome by the
news, and turned back to carry the
tidings to his family
The body was sent yesterday after
noon to the home of Mr.. Monaghan, in
Barton's Creek township, and it will
lie buried there to-day.
HOW HE WAS DROWNED.
Young Monaghan was sent to Raj
eigh with a load of wood, the day be-
fore yesterday.
When he arrived at Crabtree he found
the stream perfect food.
Ia attempting to pick his way across
the swift stream he must have driven
out of the road, and over the embank-
r
teen feet deep
The horses that drew the wagon were
drowned and the wagon was found up
turned in the mud.
a NARROW ESCAPE.
The News and Observer yesterday
morning spoke of the narrow escape Of
| two persons who tried to cross Crabtree
Thursday afternoon.
Yesterday there was another story
of man escaping ''by the skin of his
teeth This time it was Superintend-
ent Allen. of the county work house,
who came near passing in his checks.
Mr.. Allen left Raleigh about dark to
| return home When he reached Crab
tree, he saw the water All out of the
/ banks, but he thought it shallow, and
| drove in. When he got nearly to the
abutment Of the bridge, he suddenly
found his buggy floating, and his horse
swimming The water was deep and
swift, and it was hard struggle for
| life Horse, buggy and Mr.. Allen were
| washed down the creek for fifty yards
/ where they landed on a sand banlS,
and from there drove out TO terra firma,
striking the solid earth in one of Whit
1 alxer's corn fields.
III was 4 close call and hard battle