The Savannah morning news., 1900-08-07
DRcwNrNGoF WALTER L. DAGGETr
A Former Resident of Savannah,
with Mnny Friends Here.

The Morning News telegram yesterday
announced the drowning Of Mr.. Walker L.
Daggett of Charleston, S. c., while max
ing a landing from the steamer Lolita
on HAWAII Island one of the summer re-
sorts off that city. From the News and
Courier of Monday the facts are gathered
OF the sad tragedy. The excursion party,
1t seems, had 10 be landed from boats,
the steamer having 10 lay 10 some dis
lance from shore. The News and Cour-
ier's account goes on to say:
Zone boat landed its party then a sec
ond lot reached the shore, and waved a
merry challenge 10 those on the steamer
to hurry up. The third boat took in four
teen men. and only twelve reached the
shore AS the boat pushed away from
the steamer it was noticed that 1t was
heavily loaded. and began almost at once
TO ship water. This was treated as a
joke by the occupants. The waves broke
over the bows continually and before the
boat had gone more than a few lengths
away from the Lolita, filled and rolled
over.
Keep perfectly cool, boys said Mr.
walter Daggett. We can all swim, and
there need be no danger He turned over
en- his back and swan that way for
while, and then over again and swan
steadily toward the shore The others
called to each other, and all headed
swimming, toward the nearest point of
the beach. The overturned boat drifted
in the way of some of the swimmers, and
they made good use of It to hold UP. Tide
was with them and they appeared to have
every chance, even though the swim was
10 be long one and in very rough water.
AS soon as the men on the Lotta realized
that the boat had overturned they start
ed up the engines and steered directly for
the group in the water. A short distance
only brought the steamer to standstill
stuck hard on the sands, and the strug-
Cling men could hope for little from that
score. A life preserver thrown from the
deck of the Lolita, however, very prob
ably saved one life and possibly others
were also assisted in this way
After what seemed to them an inter-
minable struggle in the waves a number
OF men stood dripping and exhausted on
the beach. Where is Walter Daggett?
said one of the party. And where is
Lindsey Hopper queried another Posi-
bly, they were taken aboard the Lolita
was The answer. But the men were not
on the steamer. And then came the
weary hours of searching for the missing
men. Up and down the beach the now
saddened men patrolled. Hours passed.
The morning was gone and then the af-
ternoon dragged by, with no sign to show
the fate of their late companions. Until
$50 O'Clock the search continued, and then
with heavy hearts the party boarded the
Lolita and came back to the city. No
one appears 20 have seen the men go
down, and no one heard a call. If call was
made, when the two swimmers gave up
and sank below the waves. The rough
ness of the water separated the party in
the water. and each was seemingly work
ing independently for the Shore
Mr. Walter l.. Daggett, who resided for
a number of years in Savannah and was
employed in the job department of the
Morning News, was we'll known here was
among the best known of Charlestons
young business men. He. was born in
having learned the printers
trade when a youth, was acknowledged
to be first-class workman before he
was of age. During the life of the
Charleston World Mr.. Daggett was assist
ant foreman and afterward foreman of
the composing room, and was highly re-
garded by his employers and associates.
Later he organized the Daggett Printing
Company, and as manager made IL A
financial success. The establishment is
one of the best in that city, and attained
its position by the thrift and enterprise
of Mr.. Daggett. He was a hard worker,
a quick thinker and first-rate business
man.
Apart from business matters, Mr.. Dag
gett was genial, kindly man, and MANY
are the printers, travelling in search of
who can testify to his gen
erostty, for no worthy member of. the
craft ever called on him for help but
that it was extended with a hearty, well
come hand. He was prominent figure
in Pythianism and also a member of other
fraternal organizations. His death seems
particularly sad, in view of the fact that
he leaves a widow and eight young chill
dren, all of whom are girls. Mr.. Dag
gett was about 43 years of age.