The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-08-22
Rail on the HudsOn Sud
denly Gave Way.
PAGAN PLUNGED INTO BAY
Quickly Rescued, but Died After
Being Brought to City.
LEFT WIDOW AND 3 CHILDREN.

There was the usual Sunday drown
ing accident down the bay yesterday
but this time 1t occurred in very un-
usual way. the victim falling into the
water from a river steamboat, II is said,
by the giving away or breaking of rail
on the side of the boat. The man who
lost his life was Mathew j. Pagan, who
was quite well known in the city, hav-
ing been the proprietor of several liquor
saloons
The fatality occurred shortly after
o'clock last evening off Prudence ISL
and, and the steamer was the Hudson,
which had been 10 Seacopnet Point on
the excursion of the Atlas Social club,
there being about 81 members or the
organization on board, including Mr..
Fagan and George III. Cutt, both mem
bers of the club, who were seated on
the upper deck in the stern. leaning
against the section of the railing tnat
is removed for the gang plank.
IT is said by those who were on the
boat that suddenly the railing gave
away and the two men were thrown
towards the water. Cults managed 10
grasp a stanchion and saved himself,
but Pagan went clear overheard. AS
soon as he struck the water, however,
he began to swim with power1ui
strokes, and 1t was soon seen that ne
was i'm no apparent danger, and he
shouted: I'm all right boys rather
seeming to enjoy the situation. James
Armstrong, who was standing near the
rail when Mr.. Fagan fell into the water,
Jumped overheard TO his rescue.
The choppy sea made IL dangerous Tor
both the men, and their situation De-
gan to look so perilous that James Mar
| shall jumped into the water 70 heip
them. In the meantime Capt. Alien OF
| the steamer had ordered boat lowered
and II was at once hurriedly rowed 10
the spot where Armstrong ana ragan
were struggling in the water. Fagan
lifted I'M his hand encouragingly, 10
| show that he was all right, but the next
moment his head went under the water
and he seemed to have lost his strength,
Marshall arrived just In time 10 save
| him from sinking.
Pagan was unconscious when taken
aboard the boat, and. though there
were indications Of life, all the eHorts
made to restore him to consciousness
were fruitless. This was considered al
| the more remarkable, Tor IL Is salu tna'
| minutes, and his head had only gone
under water for very few seconds
| The steamer was brought to Providence
4 under a full head OF steam, and reached
| her dock about 1880 o'clock. and the
| ambulance was at once summoneu
E,a agan was carried to the institution
hut on arrival there II was found that
he was dead, and the body was brough,
back to the steamer Hudson. Medica,
Examiner Palmer was summoned ano
took the statements Of witnesses, aftei
which he permitted the body to be re-
moved for burial.
| considerable property. including quite
| a large amount In real estate. He
leaves a widow and three children, wht
ara at present In Canada. The news
On me as terrible shock to Mr.. Fasans
many friends. and II is generally De,
| lieved that his death was due to hear
failure. superinduced by the excitement
OF falling overheard, rather than Il
| death by drowning.