The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-11

teachers and pupils at the Lakeview
school to coast for an hour or so after
school is dismissed, and it was while in
pursuit of the afternoons pleasure that
one young life was ended.
The fayorite resort for sport of this
sort in the vicinity is to start from the
tower in Lake park, following Circuit
street, down across Lake avenue,
thence along a drive way onto the
frozen surface Of the lake. The slide
is nearly half a mile in length, and the
speed with which the double runners
and sleds of all descriptions tlY over
the frozen surface in descent, almost
battles description. So great is the
speed attained that perfect control of
the sled is necessary if the coaster
would avoid possible obstacles by the
side Of the track.
After crossing Lake avenue, the
coaster follows the shore drive veerins
TO the right and passing through an
open space left in the fence built along
the lake shore. 1t was at this poiut
that the trouble occurred yesterday az
ternoon. The tremendous momentum
acquired by the Coburu BOYS
double runner, caused him to lose con-
troll OF the steering apparatus, with the
result that the sled ran against one of
the fence posts at the side of the drive
way
Young Coburn, who was steering. was
thrown violently againstthe posi-, reoeiy-
ing injuries that resulted fatally. Miss
Babceek and others who were aboard
the double runner, were hurled through
the air, landing at the foot Of a. bank
wall by the lake shore. Others on the
double runner beside Miss Babcock.
who sat next to the steerer, were Merle
Mann, Carrie Grundler and Ida Russell.
schoclmateS of the unfortunate boy.
Mann was the only ono Of these in
1ured. One of his teeth was knocked
out and his face bruised to consider
able extent All We're thoroughly sha-
ken up.
Another coasting party who descend
ed the hill just ahead Of the Coburn
boys party, included Miss Sue r, Fish
or OF 1e4 Beacon street, and Miss Annie
M. Harrington of II Russell street
teachers in the LaiSeVew school. The
hrst those ahead knew of the accident
was when they turned around after
reaching the lake shore. to see the other
double runner jamned fast against the
post and the occupants in proIniscu-
Gus heap at the bottom Of the bank
wall.
Young Coburn lay by the side of the
fatal post and made no motion to in
dictate that he was alive. Miss Fisher.
who is his teacher, ran to his side and
tried to do something for his relief. The
little fellow spoke in reply to his teach
ers inquiry as 10 whether he was cold
or not, bur probably died few min
utes' later.
He was taken home as soon as pos
sible, but showed no signs Of life after
he was carried in. Dr. Samuel Flagg
was called but the boy was past all
help. Mr.. Coburn was notified as soon
as possible, and after telephoning for
Or. Charles II. Perry, started for home,
but his son was dead before he arriV-
ed.
There was no cut about the head or
face, and the only portions of the boys
body that showed injury was a large
spot on the right hand side of the alb
domen where the body evidently came
IN contact with the post, causing in
ternal injury that resulted in death.
There was also slight bruise below
the right kncepan.
Miss l3abcock was taken to the home
Of William S. Woodside. Sherbrook
avenue. where she was attended by DR..
Perry. vino thought her injury was con-
fined to the wound on her head and the
attending mental and physical shock
Mr. and Mrs. Coburn are Frustrated
with grief. Charlie was their only
ciiild, and an unusually bright and
promising boy. Monday evening mis-
parents were talking Of the danger LA
bic in cOasting on the icy hill. ana the
boy was warned to be careful, which
instruction was conscientiously follow
ed out to the best of the little fellows
ability.
Charlie was member of the ninth
grade at the Lake View school, and a
popular boy with schoolmates and
/ teachers, He was also o. member of
the Sunday school of the First Univer-
salist Church, and prjded himself on
| the fact that he had missed but one
| Sunday for a year.
| The funeral arrangements have not
| been made as yet.