Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1901-08-20
drowned In Tie Shenandoah.


fuNI
Shortly after noon on Sunday the peo-
pie of Charles Town were shocked by
the news that Mr.. c. B. Goetz, we'll
known citizen of this place, had been
drowned an hour or two previous in the
Shenandoah river. and large numbers of
persons at once fastened to that locality.
Mr.. and Mrs. G. B. Goetz and sons Ray
and Ralph had been camping for some
DAYS on the banks of the river along the
beautiful stretch at Watson's Eddy, and
Sunday morning Mr.. Goetz and Ray went
in their boat to visit Messrs. Claude E.
and CLAYTON l.. Haines, who were camp
ed at the old Watson Factory, about a
mile below. On their return journey,
with Mr.. Goetz sitting on a camp chair
in the rear of the boat and Ray at the
oars, they crossed over the river to the
other side and had made about half the
distance up to their camp, when the
camp chair slipped and Mr.. Goetz was
precipitated into the water. Ray grab
bed his father and was thrown out with
him, but the latter being powerful man
of $50 pounds weight and not swimmer,
the youth was unable to rescue him, and
was compelled to swim TO the shore to
save his own life, the boat having in the
meantime drifted away,
Whilst all this was going on Mrs.
Goetz and her youngest son Ralph. sat
in front of their tent half mile away
across the water, looking on and think
ing it some persons bathing and disport-
ing in the water, all unmindfui that il
was her husband going down to his
death with Ray engaged in vain en-
deavor to save HIM.
| At the lower camp an empty boat wa:
seen drifting in shore, and Mr.. Clayton
l.. Haines took a paddle and went up tht
river and, recognizing it as Mr.. Goetz:
boat, got in it and started across the river
thinking the boat had gotten away from
them on the other shore, and not dream
ing of Mr.. Goetz being drowned. Hi
learned this however, as he approached
the other shore where Messrs. George
Wilt, John Hostler and Others had al
ready responded TO the alarm. HI
brought Ray across. after which MIR
Beavers and others were summoned .ant
the startling news sent to town.
A number of boats were gotten out Oh
the water and the river dragged TO
hours without success in finding til
body Dynamite cartridges were a
/ last secured and number of them ex
ploded in hopes of raising the remain
of the drowned man. AT last, at 81.
o'clock in the evening, drag from on
of the boats, manned by Messrs. Johi
II. Hostler, John Painter and Fonros
| Pennell,) caught the body short dis
lance from the east bank of the river
and it was soon brought over. Corone
e. Frank Gallaher thereupon swore in
jury of inquest, as follows: B. E. Beav
ers, N. Conrad. F. G. Butler, Arcl
Woody, w. c. Bragg and ]. E. Waters
The jury viewed the body, and the in
quest was tn en- adjourned over unit
yesterday afternoon at 4 O'Clock, whe
verdict was rendered in accordanc
with the above facts. The remains G
the deceased were taken in charg
by the assistants of unde rtaker Charlie
Rissler, and brought to town and pre-
pared for burial.
Funeral services will be held thi
Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock, at tn
late residence of the deceased, conduct
ed by Rev. DR.. A. c. Hopkins. Inter
ment in Edge Hill Cemetery.
The deceased was of the Goetz Har
ness Works family, and was we'll known
m this community, an excellent work
man, industrious, and a man of kindl'
disposition to his family. He leaves
wife and three children, besides father
mother. sister and two brothers. all 0
whom have the sincere sympathy of the
entire community in their sudden ant
sore bereavement.