Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-08-08
IN RUSHING WATERS.
a.,uIIIING EXPERIENCE OF 4
FREDERICKSBURG PARTY.
ON 4 MISSION OF MERCY.
,.,,sht in the swollen Creek md
carried Down the Rapid stream
N,rro,y Escape from Drovning-A
Ind, nurncd 20 Death In stafford.

FREDERICKSBURG, VA, August T.
lsrecialD Mr.. Walter c. oswald. of this
c.tv. while inspecting ties on the Poto-
ma, saturday evening for Mr.. W. 5.
1.,nbr,v was overcome 10y the heat and
,.u .o,,-io.fl. and bui for timely help
voula have been drowned. He was cross
a.. oQ thc wharf when he stopped to
watch ID young boy grabbing. suddenly he
,..e. and fen forward. The boy leaned
.,.r ard succeeded in catching hold OF
..at. hut was unable 90 hold him. and
ql.a several barge men arrived and res
M him me was sinking tor the third
r After considerable work the men
s..e..td in partially restoring him TO
cons. BUSINESS. and started With him for
oy. ON arriving at White oak his
condition was so serious that they de-
,,-mnel 20 remain and send for "a ply
san. Accordingly messenger was
l....d forward. and Dr 4. a.. Dogsett,
l.. s.. ; Embey. Jr. Mr.. W. }. Jacobs
l.l driver Immediately left 90 ieEder
lae necessary aid. After several houis
fa.y succeeded ln restoring Mr OSW"lN
tu CONSEQUENCES. and stuicd WIN mn
.l "a natures iu the vehicle 10 to"h. ch
their way. however. heavy stoi Jul 0"iiie
up and as the horses entered Nhlle Odh
creek. tho water az which was Iar out OF
its banks. they were swiftly carried down
3D., s,r.sm ami the lives Of the men
y.,r, au boo imminent danger. Finally,
Ir. Dogceit attempted 90 get out OF the
carriage on the on side OF the horses. but
t.. current carried him under ne horses,
aud De- was thought 10 have been drown
.. Ou arising. though, be caught hold
o. Gre pole and managed 10 pull himself
DID, Iu the mean time the horses and
,l. had gone some distance further
..rt -.reaI1 and when the carriage came
llt ly being caught between two
Tree. The party were confronted on either
. bv high banks. thus rendering the
I.r-,s utterly poWcriess 10 get out, and
OIL. occupants, should they attempt II, in
p.at danger of losing their lives. AS
the water was high enough i'm the vehicle
e. float the mattress upon which Mr..
Oswald lay. the party concluded 20 hold
their positions until driven out. the horses
having secured "a front fOOthOld on the
banks thus keeping their heads above
water. Ia this position they remained
for au hour and fifty minutes, by which
time the water had receded sufficiently
for them 10 get the horses and themselves
out with safety. Beyond their expert
onccs. fortunately, they have suffered no
iu-enects. Mr.. Oswald is considerably
improved to-day.
Mrs Elizabeth lie Couteur wife of Cap
tain william lie Couteur, prominent
ANA wel-to-do farmer Of stafford county
was burned so fearfully about her body
yesterday that she died this morning.
How the accident occurred is not definite
Is known. as al the time Of the occur
renee she wls alone. An examination.
however. Of the kitchen disclosed a
broken coal-oil lamp. and 1t IS supposed
that she attempted to start the fire with
which TO cook dinner by the use Of the
tu.d When seen by two laborers on the
tarm she was running towards a nearby
branch When they reached her she was
entirely devoid Of clothing, save her cor
$40 and shoes She was about 81 years of
a-. aHl q most estimab.e and greatly
beloved Christian lady. Her funeral will
take place from the Methodist church IN
Tbs city tomorrow afternoon az o'clock.
During the storm which passed over
This section Saturday night the large
barn oa The "Suowden" Farm, IN STAFFORD
county was struck by lightning and COM
IletcIy consumed. All of its contents, i'm
Guiding q large quantity of grain and
farming implements. were also burned,
together with several other smaller out
houses
Rev Cephas Shelbournc. Of the Chris
tan church here yesterday rendered his
resignation as pastor. Mi Shelbourne as
accepted a call 10 Roanoke. The MEM
beers of his church and the citizens gene
rally regret his departure