Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1901-08-21
oHAaLEs A COLE DROWNED.
Sad Accident at Castine--Victim Well
Known In Ellsworth.


Charles A. Cole, proprietor and prinei-
pal of the Cole English and Classical
school at Pawtucket, r. L., was drowned
at Castine Sunday afternoon. Mr.. and
Mrs. Cole had been spending the summer
in Maine. Mrs. Cole, after an extended
visit in Ellsworth, was Joined here by
Mr.. Cole, for few days, and two weeks
ago they left for Castine.
Mr.. Cole, with his son Charles r., was
canoeing on the Bsgaduce river. They
had gone up the river with the tide, pass
ing the rapids at the narrows. On the
return trip the canoe was caught In a
whirlpool at the rapids, and overturned.
The tide runs very swiftly at this point.
Mr.. Cole chung to the canoe, and was
carried down the stream. AS he was
passing a ledge, he left the canoe,
whether In the hope OF reaching the
ledge or of going to the assistance OF his
son, whom he saw struggling In the
water, will never be known. He had
swum but short distance when he dis
appeared below the surface, and did not
rise again. 1t is presumed he was drawn
under by the strong under current or In
a whirlpool.
His son, in the meantime, had reached
the shore in an exhausted condition, and
saw his father sink. The boy also had a
very narrow escape. When the canoe was
first overturned his feet were entangIed
in the seat, and he had struggle to free
himself. Twice he sank while he was
swimming for the shore, and had about
tgiven up when his feet touched bottom.
Mr.. Cole was an expert swsmmer, and
also an experienced canoeman. Had he
chung to the canoe until carried nearer
the shore he would have been saved; the
only explanation that can be offered for
his leaving he canoe is that given above.
The body has not been recovered, and
though every effort is being made, those
familiar with the tides and currents of
the Bagaduce think 1t doubtful IL it will
be recovered for many weeks, il at all.
Charles A. Cole was born at Paris Hill,
Me-, fifty-three years ago, the son OF the
late Judge Cole. He was the last survivor
of the family. He graduated from Bow
doin college with the class OF $50, being a
classmate OF Judge o. P. Cunningham, OF
| Bucksport. 1t was during visit to his
| classmate, then at Ellsworth, one summer
| that he met Margaret, daughter OF the
late Erastus Redman, of Ellsworth, who
| became his wife.
| MIR. Cole, after leaving college, taught
| in number OF schools and became prin-
eipal OF the Jarvis military school at
| Weston, Conn. From there he went to
| Pawtucket where, nineteen years ago, he
| opened the Cole school, which he con-
Quoted with eminent success. He spent
all bis time and energy in his school, and
secured for 1t an excellent reputation In
educational circles.
He leaves widow and one SOD, who are
now in Ellsworth, at the home of Mrs
Coles sister, Mrs. E. f. Robinson. Mrs
Cole returned from Castine with her
brother, Judge j. B. Redman, and Mr.. and
Mrs. Robinson, who went there as soon as
news OF the accident WAS received.
Mrs. Cole bears up bravely under the
great blow that has fallen upon her. She
has the sympathy OF her many Ellsworth
friends and the many friends OF her hus-
| band here.