The morning times., 1896-01-13
WENT THROUGH THIN ICE
Many Daring Skaters Got Sudden
Baths at the Basin.
BIG CROWDS TURNED OUT
They Packed the Bathing Beach and
Other Frozen Surfaces and Had
Gala Day-Warm Weather Had
SOftened the Ice and Accidents
Were Frequent.

Not less than twenty persons fell into
the Potomac River yesterday.
Some OF them had a close call from
drowning and all were shocked by the
icy bath, but that didn't stop about 10000
other WashiDgtonians from tempting the
same fate in order to take n last spin on
the ice before it disappears from the basin
back of the Monument.
The ice was in the poorest condition since
the frozen North blew its breath across
the Potomac last week and made gilt
tering surface stretch from the bathing
beach out to the flats In the river. In
all parts 1t was topped with slush, ard
along the edge of the beach it was as
thin as the wallet of ST. Asaph tout.
1t was along this braid of gaUze ice
that the people were McGintyized. From
the shore running onto the ice was a
narrow footing of boards. Even early In
the day this board was as wet and Slip
perry as a Division politician. There was
steady-or rather an unsteady-stream
of old and young making their way to and
from the ice over the beard.
FIRST TO GO IN.
Shortly after O'Clock Young man sfeet
slipped from beneath him aEd he shot
down through the ice. The next moment
his head bobbed up ard its owner yelled
like ConInanche Indian.
He was dragged out and helped back to
the footing. Brenched ard shivering lie
wouldn't trust the slippery board. and lie
crept bacs to shore and disappeared on a
run with three companions. The young
mans involuntary bath was quickly fol-
lowed by the accidental plunges Of others
as crowds of skaters came to swell the
throng already on the ice.
During the balance of the afternoon there
We're many stirring scenes and the multi
tude OF people on runners were not the only
persons who We're stirred up by the ex-
element. On the river bank overlooking
the beach several thousands OF spectators
watched the ever changing picture below
Hundreds of bicyclsts were there, aud
many teams formed u background to the
curious onlo1kers.
Three mounted policemen were there and
they had their hands full, one officer being
engaged in an aitday strategic campaign
against the small boys, who seemed deter
mined TO turn the acres OF dry brush into
sea of flame.
Then there was regiment of fakirs there
and some OF them required to be kept under
the vigiiant eye of the marshal like horse
man with the whiskers. fat colored man
who sold peanuts IN bags was suspected of
being a walking "spcakeasy,'' supplying
warmth 10 chilled skaters, and he was
driven away.
FUN FOR THE ONLOOKERS.
But these were only trivial incidents; the
crowd came to see the skating and remained
to watch the slipping footboard. Each
time a person fell from the board there was
4 shout from the spectators.
There were too many Wiling hands near
TO permit OF the drowning OF those who
toppied into the river, but the water at
that point is at ,east seven feet deep, and
many of the unrurtunates were not only
thoroughly soaked, hut suffered from the
shock of the polar bath.
Three coIored boys were crossing on the
walk and one slipped. As he roele,l, he
clutched the boy next TO him, and as both
We're going over, the third picEaninny was
yanked overheard, and all went under. As
their wnoly heads appeared on The surfa c.
they were cIutched by several men and
dragged TO safety.
YOUNG WOMAN NEXT.
There was a lively time when 4 young
woman slipped oyerboard. In the ex-
element her escort threw their two pairs
OF skates through the thin ice, as he reached
for the girl, and with the aid of q stranger.
drew her out of the water. She was
hurried away from the scene shivering and
in tears.
There were many debutantes on the basin |
during the afternoon, ana the large number
OF pretty girls who enjoyed the sport was
j striking feature of the days throng.
Scores OF fair pupils We're being CALAMITY
taught to move on the steel runners by
their escorts. Two young men who in
structed learners for Il small fee had plenty |
of patronage.
I'VE might as well turn an honest penny
said one OF these instructors, who are gov |
ernmcnt employees from Maine.
The colored men made splendid profit |
by allowing weary skaters to rest on chairs |
at so much 4 sitting.
Hot coffee and other refreshments were |
sold on the bank above the beach.
Al IL O'Clock last night the ice was in |
soggy condition. and If The present mild |
weather continues today the ska ting on the |
basin will soon be too dangerous TO permit |
even The most daring or the euthu siasts to |