Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-08-15

Alter the Gatiies, But Was Restrained by
the Police. 9r1
without word OF warming or a
chance Of being saved, Howard ami
Aubrey Downward of Philadelphia,
formerly OF this city, were drowned late
last Saturday afternoon 10 one of the
three deep pools of water pear Sixty
ninth street and Brewster avenue. Phila-
dolphin. These miniature lakes mark
the way Of Old Gross Channel, and their
treaoherous depths have claimed vic
Tins by the score ere this E
The Downward boys, who we're sons
OF Benjamin ii. Downward, formerly
well-known Wilmington contractor,
were expert swimmers, and the run
ming waters of the Brandywine and the
Cbristiana had been their Fairgrounds
eirce early Childhood. All water looked
alike to them. They had not been tod
OF the extremely cold water in Fro
herg'a Lake, as tho pool in which they
we're drowned ia known to the boys OF
Paschall; they did not know that the
iake Is 80 feet deep in places, and they
certainly could not have known that
their nigh dives would surely end In
death. They we're strangers and there
was no one there to caution or advise
them. v
The boys, aged 10 and IA years, re-,
speotively, we're hot and walked from
their home, No. 69l0 Paschall avenue,
across the meadow lands and across the
Reading railway tracks 10 the avenue
and thence to the Eool-the centre one
OF the three hetHeen the railroad and
the Schuylkill.
They were alone, and, hurriodly I'm .
dressing, made a run and jump into
the inviting pond. The Instant their
oveIheated bodies came in contact with
the extremely cold water their muscles
hardened, their limbs stitfened and the
shock benumbed their senses, and they
went down to the muddy bottom of the
lake. They never had chance for
their lives.
A passer-by saw their clothes and
reported the find to the police of the
4 Thirty. second district. About this time
n the parents Of the boys became anxious
as to their whereabouts, and when the
q word passed from mouth to mouth that
II two boys had drowned in Froberg g
Lake, Mr.. Downward started post haste
4 for the spot.
\ just as Mr.. Downward reached the
Il pool the patrol from the Thirty second
district with Sergeant Curtis and six
n other officers aboard, drove up with
boat-hooks, chains and irons. A glance
" mt tho clothing on the bank told Mr..
a Downward all he needed to know, and
n he threw off his coat and drew off his
shoes and attempted to jump into the
n water Tor the bodies Of his only chill
n dren.
Policemen Davis and Cross seized the
distracted father and tried to lead him
" away. lie threw them off like children
Il and fought his way to the bank again.
n The big hearted policemen restrained
4 him from making foolhardy attempt
"a that would have cost him his life and
n accomplished nothing, but they had to
N give him battle to keep him out OF
n the water. He fought them as If for his
W very life, but was finally overpowered
VI and induced to leave the work Of reacue
Al In the experienced hands of the police.
81 officers Peter Need and A. Waldow
took the hooks and irons, aud after four
N hours work hauled up the body Of
Howard, the eldest son of Mr.. Down.
ward.
The body was found in the position
4 1t struck the water-arlns extended,
m leet together and palms touching-all
III indicating that the boy was paralyzed
# water. 1here WAS nothing about il
~ that suggested a struggle or even pain.
~ His death was instantaneous, to all
outward appearances.
AZ Years ago the bed OF the Schuylkil
IA lay ON line with these pools. The
banks broke time and time again, anc
sach break changed the course of the
river until wide stretch of land separ
Bted the site Of the original chRnne
IN from the bed of the river. Spring.
M opened and filled the pools with clear
'N cnld water, and il was this extremely
IA cold water, rather than the depth o
W the POL that proved fatal to the boys.
,N The body of Aubrey was recovered
Va on Sunday. An investigation has beer
made and it is said that two other boy
# were bathing there, but were powerles
to rescue them. Aubrey, who was tn,
"a first to go into the pond, got into
NJ deep hole. His brother, Howard, see
N ing his peril, went to his assistance
Tho drowning boy seized him anS
dragged him under.
The unfortunate boys and their par
ents were well-known here. The famil,
lived at 3l2 West Seventh street at on
time; later ON Washington street, alloy
"a Seventh, in one OF two houses Their
M which Mr.. Downward had built. ant
some years ago moved TO Philadelphia
Mr.. and Mrs. Downward we're member
of West Presbyterian Church, Will
VA living hero, aud the boys attended TIN
vi Sunday school. Parents and children
were well and favorably known. Til
SF boys were manly young fellows and ha,
q host OF friends -
Alfred DoHnward of South Whining
ton, james Downward Of No. 513 Jeifer
son street and William O. Downward O
No. 2224 Market street, are unclea O
K the drowned boys. The Wilmington
VI relatives we're notified Of the drownin
VI on Saturday night and some of tn
a relatives went 10 Philadelphia Sun
a day.
The bodies were brought TO this Gil
on Tuesday. Services were held il
4 West Presbyterian Church and inter
&, ment Was made at Wilmington an
IN Brandywine cemetery.
IW