The Newtown bee. (Newtown, Conn.) 1877-current, 1899-09-08
I airne1d County.E
LONG HILL.

FIVE BATHERs DROWNED AT BLACK ROCK.
One of the saddest drowning acciden's
in this part OF the state in recent ysars
occurred at Black Rock, on Tuesday last.
The story as told by the Bridgeport
Morning Union Is IS follows: At $3.50
Friday morning, Elijah Middlebrook
started from his home In Long Hill with
a party. They intended to 60 to Black
Rock beach for clsmbake and swim,
as they had done scores OF times before.
The party consisted of Elijah Middle
brook, his wife Mary Middlebrook, his
Ia year old daughter, Mary G. Middle
brook, Fred Kohler and Tony Kohler of
Tashua, who worked for him, his son,
Robert Middlebrook, Ethel Hit, and
Margaret and Kate Kohler. When they
arrived in Bridgeport they took Florence
Hit into the party. Ethel had been
visiting with them at Long Hill for the
past week. They are the daughters OF
Louis G. Hit of 800 Grand street. They
drove to Black Rock beach and stopped
by St. Mary's. By-the-5ea. After enjoy.
ing themselves about the shore for q
while they decided to 60 In bathing. Il
was about II o'clock. They went into
the water and for some little time they
splashed about In the shallow water In
safety. Before starting to battle K j ab
Middlebrook and his wife both cautioned
the othe rs to be very careful. They had
frequently been there before and knew
that the water grew suddenly deeper In
places, and at certain turns of the tide
there was strong undertow that was
dangerous. While they were wading
about they heard Robert Middlebrook
scream. He was little further out than
the rest. They didn't think much about
it for he is a very timid child naturally
He screamed again and Elijah Middle.
brook started to 60 to him. Fred Kohler
Mrs Middlet I )ok and Robert Middle
brook are the only ones left of the bath.
ers and they are unable to give any clear
account of the way the tragedy came
about. Mr. Kohler said the party sud
denly fell into deep water. He went tC
rescue the children but the rushing It'd,
overcame him. he was almost insensi
Bile himself when he finally reached th,
shore. Mrs Middlebrook says abe wal
wadipg In the water about up to he
knees when Robert screamed. Almos
before she knew it the whole party ex
cept herself were struggling in deej
water. Her husband went out to saw,
the drowning children. He was a goo,
swimmer but could not manage to max
much Roadway. She stood there ant
saw the whole party 90 down ant
drown. She was po~erless to rende
them any aid. Elijah Middlebrook bat
tied manfully for the lives of himself, hi
children and his friends, but In vain
She heard him speak several times. A
last, towards the close he cried out in
loud voice that couli be ll.ir " hear
upon the Shore. "God be lp US ALL" Tha
was the last time he spoke on earth. FL
was swept away to his death with tn
others. Mrs Midd!ebrook says she CA
never forget these words. They wi
ring IN hi r memory forever. She canno
understand why good swimmt like he
husband could not save the children an
himself unless he was weighted dow!
with the four drowning people clingin
to him or had cramps, which impeded hi
movements. The list of dead is az fol
lows: Elijah Middlebrook, aged 46 years
Mary G. Middlebrook, aged IA years
Tony Kohler, aged Is years; Ethel Hit
aged "A years; Florence Hit, aged /
years. Elijah Middlebrook, the son O
the late Charles s. Middlebrook, an,
grandson Of the late DR. Elijah Middle
brook, was born in Long Hill 46 year
ago and lived until Friday morning In til
old brick Middlebrook homestead on th
Newtown turnpike seven miles from thi
city. The house has been a landmar
for more than half century and wa
known to all who drive up and down th
old turnpike. Mr. Middlebrook carrie
on farming and contracting bushes
aud did large business In road buildin
and similar work where teams were ri
quired. Two or three yes rs ago In CON
pany with his sons he began cutting iC
and selling it in Bridgeport. They con
menced In q small way bnt this yea
their business called for several team
and was carried on under the name {
Middlebrook Brothers.