The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1901-08-17
RESCUERS WORKED In VAIN
Heroic Efforts Fail to Prevent a
Boys Death by Drowning.
Willie Compton Loses His Life in
the Brick Yard Pond-TwO Brave
Policemen Saved With Difficulty
Excitement mt the Baseball Park.

|
| The Brick Yard Pond, known also as
the Basin, adjoining the American League
Baseball Park, was the scene of a tragedy
yesterday afternoon, which cost one life
by drowning, and nearly caused the loss
| of several others. A game between De-
troit and Washington was in progress at
| the time, and hundreds of spectators went
to the scene of the accident.
Willie Compton fifteen-year- boy,
was drowned Mounted Policeman Will
| liam Riley. who attempted to rescue the
youth. clad in full uniform with the ex-
| ception of hat and coat, got over his
depth, and, dragged down by the weight
of wet clothing went under the water
| twice before log was pushed to his as
sistaice. Sergt. w. F. Falvey. who rush.
ed into the water without laying aside
even his club, also got beyond his depth,
and was helped to shore with difficulty.
Willie ,Farden. the companion of the
boy drowned, swan to shore in an ex-
hausted condition, and Arthur Richards,
who was one of those Who recovered
Compton's body from the bottom of the
pond, was another who nearly succumbed
to exhaustion. 'o-'
The two boys, Willie Farden and Willie
for some time. Willie Fardenl swims well
and Willie Compton could swim little.
The latter had been pushing about the
pond, with the assistance of a log, until
he found himself in shoal water. when he
discarded this assistance and swan about
by himself. The pond is full of many
deep holes-thirty feet in many places
and the boy seems To have got beyond
his depth He cried for assistance.
There we're half a dozen other boys in
swimming at the time, but all. with the
exception of his companion, Willie Far
den, made for shore Immediately, and did
not attempt to rescue the boy. Willie
Farden was worn out himself with con-
tinual swimming. buI did his utmost to
push log to the other boy. Fully a
hundred people had collected on the bank,
bat no one at this time offered to go
to the boys assistance. They, however,
urged Willie Farden in his efforts TO
Sist his companion.
AT this moment Policeman Riley made
his appearance, and, throwing aside his
coat hat. and club, dashed into the water.
He is a good swimmer, but the distance
was considerable to the farther side of
the pond, where the boy was drowning.
The boy sank below the water, rose. sank
again. and rose. Willie Farden was very
near him by this time with the log. but
Willie Compton had no further strength
and sank for the last time
Policeman Riley swan to the spot. fully
fifty yards across the pond, arriving there
just after the boy sank for the last time
He dived several times for the boy, but
did not succeed in finding him. He was
then in an exhausted condition. He found
himself unable to make further head
way. and was slowly sinking. Sergeant
Falvey rushed into the water to his assis-
lance without removing a single article
of apparel, and carrying both club and
pistol.
Lieutenant Daley. who was in charge of
the police at the baseball park during the
progress of the game, arrived from with
in the enclosure, to find the citizens
making every effort to rescue the police
men: William Corbett the Waterman at
the baseball park. Invested himself of his
clothing, and rushed into the water.
A full dozen others, some having dis
robed and others still in their clothes,
were also in the water. Sergeant Falvey
was pulled to shore by chain of people
in and out of the water. who seized him
by the hand and rescued him. Waterman
Corbett pushed log to Policeman Riley |
In the nick of time, and the officer Sc
cured a hold upon it, and came within |
reach of the chain. and was also pulled |
ashore.
Those in the water were at this time |
diving over the spot where the boy VIII |
lie Compton, had sunk out of sight. |
Among these We're Robert Boyle and Ar |
thur Richards. The latter, boy of about |
seventeen years of age, was the first to |
i. .ie pouS. ne 5iaspeu the IlSit arm
and brought 1t to the surface, where il |
was seized by Boyle and others, and |
brought 10 shore. Richards had been ac-
tive in giving assistance TO Policemen |
Riley and Falvey, and was exhausted. |
and was assisted to shore at the same |
time the body Of the drowned boy was |
brought to land.
Coroner hewitt, DR.. ]. L. Jones, and Dr.
scott, were in attendance at the baseball |
game and-were sent for The Compton |
boy had been under the water about ten !
minutes before his body was recovered |
and IL was some minutes later before the
physicians arrived. They worked over
The body for fully an hour, but We're I'M
able to restore life.
The body was conveyed to the home of |
he parents at 1913 Third Street northeast
n the Ninth precinct patrol wagon. VIII
lie Compton is son of Joseph w Comp |
ON. q clerk in the Post offics- Dena rtnept !