Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1897-06-05
William X. Percy.


during the evening before. 1t was difficult to
give credit to a report at once so sudden and
startling, but it was too true.
Mr.. Percy had gone with several members
of the family of H. A. Bateman, residing on
the Percy-Sloan farm, Is miles below Cum
berland, to Oldtown on shopping trip. He
was mounted upon a spirited horse; Mrs
Batemau and son and Miss Molle Hutson,
of Cumberland, travelling in wagon, drawn
by a slow horse. The party returned after
nightfall, Mr.. Percy riding behind the
wagon. Approaching the house, Mr.. Percy's
horse fastened to pass the wagon on the
canal side of the narrow road, and stepping
on soft ground the latter gave way. The
horse fell down the bank, precipitating the
unfortunate rider into the canal. The con-
cussion partially stunned him, as, ordinarily,
a man could have gotten out of stream of
no more depth and volume than the canal at
this point Mrs Bateman and her son were
unable in the darkness to do anything to-
ward saving him.
Several hours later the body was recovered
about $50 feet below and taken to Mr.. Bate
mans house. An inquest was held Thurs
day morning, resulting in verdict of 'ac
cidental drowning"
AS above stated, the party returned
after dark, Mr.. Percy riding behind
the slow-moving wagon. He had
failed to put on his overcoat, and re-
ferred to the fact several times in the
course of the running conversation
kept up between himself and the oc-
cupants of the wagon. He complained
of feeling chilly aud Mrs. Bateman
promised to prepare cup of hot tea
for him when they reached home. AT
last, about 10 o'clock the party came
within sight of light in the window
at the intersection of the tow-path with
the lane to the house. At the moment
of turning from the tow path Mr..
Percy's horse, eager to get ahead of
the wagon, sought to pass on the canal
side. slipped, fell, chung to the bank
few moments and went into the canal.
In the efforts Of the horse to regain
his lost footing Mr.. Percy was plunged
hcadlong into the water A few mo-
ments later he was heard to appea! for
help. Mrs. Bateman and the young
man hurried to the waters edge, but
We're too late. Fate was against the
drowning man. In the face of calam-
lty women are unnerved. The young
man is a cripple. WHAT could these
do toward the rescue of man whom
in the darkness they could not even
see?
The horse escaped from the water a
few yards below.
The Cumberland Ne,rs concludes its
account of the sad occurrence by
neat reference to his wellknown fidel-
ity to his friends whom he would
not leave" 1t says:
The incidents leading up to the drowning
are given somewhat in detail because they
illustrate the kindly, gentle nature of Mr..
Percy. Although man of strong char
acteristics capable of managing large affairs,
he delighted in the plain, simple things of
life was exceedingly fond of the society of
his friends and would make personal sacri-
fees to oblige them. He restrained his i'm
patient horse and rode behind the slow
walking team. when he might have gone
ahead and reached the house half an hour
before the party in the wagon, but it was not
his natDrp tD 1aSart his friopIc f,r
the sake of getting out Of the chilly ar.
The body was recovered about 3
O'Clock Thursday morning by Mr..
Bateman, assisted by several neighbors.
The news Of the drowning reached
Mr.. Percy's family at the Hotel Glad
stone, about IL! o'clock. w. E. G.
Hitchins, son-in law, left at once, and
from Cumberland and Homecoming
other friends FASTENED to the scene of
the accident to bring the remains
home. In Cumberland they were en-
cot1ined and opportunity afforded hun
dreds to look upon the familiar face of
the dead, described by the Nevs as
follows:
In the lepose Of death the features had not
changed in the least. With the exception of
slight abrasion of the nose there was not a
mark to indicate violence; no discoloration
such as is sometimes caused by drowning; no
distortion Of features. The face was pale,
and the expression that of deep, untroubled
slumber.
On the arrival of the train at this
place Il large number of friends met
and escorted the remains from the
train to the hotel. Here they laid
until Saturday afternoon at 4! o'clock,
the funeral hour.
From 2 to 4 a vast throng passed
through the general parlor, now
fragrant floral bower, round the beautl-
full casket and looked for the last time
upon all that was mortal of the dead.
Many remained, and when the train
had brought from Cumberland con-
course of friends the spacious edifice
was crowded.
Rev. G. A. Britt, pastor of the Eug-
fish Lutheran church, of which Mr..
Percy had been many years member,
announced duet by the Hooking
brothers. This sung in pathetic