The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-04
A TRAGEDY ON The LAKE.
Floyd FGqla, Of STarSbOro, Plunged
Through Ii Ice 10 His Death.
SKsTED INTO An UNSEEN AIR-H)lE
A Suspicion That Another Body May Ye
Be Beneath the Ice story OF tho Ter
ribIe Accident which Occurred
Late Last Night.

An accident. BY which one young man
lost his rfe and several more we're for
a time placed IN deadly peril, occurred
about 9.s0 o'clock last night al Reservoir
Lake The drowned man was Floyd
tuQua. a resident Of Swansboro. II Is
said that there is possibly another body
stu beneath the ice.
Al day yesterday the lake, whose
smooth. frozen surface presented a most
Inviting aspect 20 skaters, was thronged
by merry parties. and last night despite
the intense darkness many whose duties
keep them employed during the day. vent
out 70 enjoy a turn on the ice
THE FATAL PLUNGE.
Amongt the Faycst there was young
fuqua a lne skater he sped over the
CLASSY surfaco with lightning speed. his
companions not being able TO keep up
with his rapid movements. Suddenly as
be was going down the middle Of the
pend there was a sound OF crashing ice.
and he disappeared from view The boy
just behind him. a young man named
watson. SOW that he had fallen into an
air-hole. but was unable TO check his
speed. and shared the same fate.
instantly there was q cry all over the
pond Some ore has broken in" and
the skaters crowded around the black
looking hole into which their compan-
ions had disappeared.
The cooler heads ~ the crowd realized
that something must bc done instantly
OF the unfortunate boys would be drown
81. While some hastencd TO get a plank
Edward Cowardin crepr out TO the hole
and attempted 90 reach the struggling
boys. The ice gave way beneath him
however. and II was with dihculty that
ne saved himself. after being drenchod
thoroughly.
At this some OF the boys arrived with
"a plank. and young Watson was quick
~ rescued from his perilous position.
FLOYD fu0ua- however. had disappeared
from sight beneath the edge Of the let.
his position only being marked by the
skirt OF his coat, which was floating upon
the water.
HIS EFFORTS FEEBLE.
IL Is said that when young Fuqua first
Fell In he grasped rne edge Of the ice but
was struck by the man who fell in after
him. His hold was broken. and after
wards he made no effort it appeared. 10
save himself
After he had been beneath tho water
probably ter minutes a young man named
" dlhtI fItlL cautiously NuL upon lUt
plank and lifted the body from the water.
While the work Of rescue was going on
Drs. Richard Ferguson and MCGOWAN
had been summoned. and as soon as the
body OF young Fuqua had been brought
10 the bank they began TO work vigor-
ousiy 10 resuscitate the young man. They
were assisted by DR. Frank steel. and IL
was not until every device known TO
medical science had been exhausted that
they were reluctantly forced 20 admit
that he was beyond human aid.
As soon as IL became evident that life
was extinct Mr.. B. n. Morrissett Of
Manchester. an undertaken and "a rela-
fivb Of the young man was notified and
the body was turned over TO him.
Coroner William II. Taylor was inform
Cd Of the casualty. bat as the park is out
side the city limits ne had no jurisdic-
tlon.
Later on. D.. w. V. Croxton, county
coroner was notified hv DIT steel. and
be Will View the remains this morning
Floyd FuQua was about twenty-one
years OF age lie was son of Mr.
Chesapeake and Ohio railroad. who re-
sides I'm that portion OF Swansboro known
as Goat HuL"
AN UPRIGHT BOY.
Young Fuoua was an emnloye Of the
Whitlock box factory. in this city. lie
was an upright Industrious young man.
and much beloved bv an who knew him.
IIe was member OF West-Erd Baptist
church and was also Identified with the
Junior order OF United American Me
chanics.
ono Of the first ncrst MS 10 get 20 the
scene of the accident lest nirht was Mr..
Twohig Temnle He saw that promnt
action WAS necessary. end at once made
an haste 20 the hOat-house where he at
te- pied 90 get OUT a hoat hut was un-
ntlc 10 10 so. lie Immediately went
hack 20 the scene and rendered material
assistance ia rescuing the imperilied
hovs
The scene on the pond when Il became
known that two boys had fallen I'm was
one of terror and confusion. and 1t was
thought 90 first that both Of them had
been drowned. Several Of the skaters
a no Witnessed the accident said last n'eht
that they were confident that another
lodv is stlll beneath the ice. on ac-
count OF the great danger no attempt
was made 10 ascertain whether such was
the case.
The ambulance I'M charge Of Dr. Baugh-
man was summoned to the scene. but
the physician found that there was moth
Inc ne could do.
The news Of the accident quickly
Dread through the city last night. II
was reported that there was a wholesale
and there were scores of in
oulrles al The Times cftce from anxious
persons whose children or relatives were
on the lake.
The opering in which young Fuqua met
49,. Seatb L. believed 70 have been an air
hole for the rest Of The ice was firm and