The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-08-24
d TALE OF DEA tn FROM BE4IJ
FORT.

, A special to the News and Observe
from Beaufort, n c., dated NJ onday tell
a tale of death.
Sixteen fishermen were rarnnino q,
Swan Island, near the mouth of tn,
Neuse river, during the recent storm
The island was overfowed, compelln,
them to seek the mainland In tn
attempt all OF their boats were cap
sized, except one drowning fourteen
consisting of tour Smith and Salte
brothers and six others. All were mar
Eled and men of large families, citi
zens OF Piney Point, Carteret county.
"A crew of four more who were
camping on another island are miss.
Ing, and are undoubtedly drowned
The two survivors saved themselves by
cutting away their boats mast and
throwing their cargo overheard They
witnessed the drowning of their COM
panlons, but were powerless to aid
Them"
Following are the names of the lost
"Kllby Smith, John Smith, Elijah
Smith, Wallace Smith. CAN of these
were brothers) John styron, James
W. Ellis, Henry Willis, Joe salter,
John Salter, Kilby Rose, Bart Salter,
William Salter. All lived at Hunting
Quarters, N. c., and nearly of them
have families"
From Ucracoke also comes via Wash
ton tale OF woe, part of which is as
follows:
Not since the awful storm OF 1916
has Ocracoke been the witness of such
scenes. The whole island is a complete
wreck. Tie wind reached a velocity
OF seventy miles an hour and the sea
was breaking from twenty to thirty
feet high on the island.
Thirty three houses were DESTROYED,
seven chlmneys gone, two churches
and two souls hurled into eter-
nifty was the story whispered in our ear
IS the passengers placed their feet upon
terra frma
1.-TWO souls sleep in a watery grave,
Fet to God all the praise that so many
doomed to meet a similar
ate were saved and restored to the
BOSOM of their loved ones.
THE wind began to blow on last
tuesday about noon and increased all
he time until Wednesday when it reg
stored almost hurricane on Wednes-
lay night between IL and 2 o'clock.
The schooner L. A. Willis, in charge
# Captain r. S. Griffin, parted two
nchor chains, causing her to drift to
he inlet landing ON ashoal about three
niles from where she originally
'as. The Willis left here last Friday
ne week ago for Ocracoke with
ieasure party on board consisting of
:. S. Kelly, O. M. Winfield, J. B. La
nam, 7. ". Phillips, Spencer Brooks,
!. Ross, Lyndln Shaw, George L.
Hugh Paul and John Ross. q
this party of pleasure seekers two
ere drowned: Mr.. George L. Buck
an, one OF our most honcred and old
It citizens and father Of Mr.. J. F.
hickman, and the cook, Henry BIango, y
lored.
"Mr. A. S. Kelly is in a precarious
ndltlon, due to exposure and famine. "
1e lay boat used for the purpose OF ;,
passengers to and from .
e island parted her chains. drinftins ~
nile and half and went ashore near !"
"The custodian and his wife were 7.
'cued Friday afternoon by the life .
wing crew at Portsmouth. Is
'The schooner Willis was in such a al
stion that only her masts could he e.
N by the crew of the life saving i'll
ton. de
Saturday morning distress signal ~ -.
seen flying from the mast OF the 81
Ills. Assistance was immediately
dered by the life-saving station and
s. Kelly and John Ross, passengers, ac
Captain Griffin and mate. Benia. Or
Griffin, were taken off the ill-tated fro
sci and carried to the Hotel Ponder IN
ere they were welcomed with words VI
oy and all done for them that could his
but two were missing. ins
Tears intermingled with smiles Of
smiles for the rescued, tears for !
Sc for whom fate bad willed other. ne,
g. The rest OF the party of the i Tw
Ills fortunately were at the lathe as
house when the storm began and bv
lid have been on the Willis and SUI
haps met their death had the wind
frustrated their efforts. =:
After the Willis went ashore sbe i.
ost Immediately filled with wafer
sand, causing those on board to he