Smyrna times., 1901-08-07
PLEASURE PARTY MEETS
SAD END WHILE BATHING
THREE YOUNG PEOPLE LOSE THEIR LIVES
IN SINEPUXENT BAY.
G. Grier RadcIifi, One of the Drowned, Was a
Prominent Young Attorney and Well
Known on the Peninsula.

Jennie White, daughter of James s.
P. White, of Whitesburg, Worcester
county, and Miss Ethel Leonore Phil
lips, of near Baltimore, were drowned
Saturday afternoon while bathing with
aparty of friends in Sinepuxent Bav.
at Jones Landing, four miles east of
Newark, Worcester county.
G. Grier Radclif, Esq, of Salisbury.
is well known to parties in SMYRNA.
He Is grandson of George S. Grier.
Of Milford, and a nephew of the Grier
Brothers, dentists, well known in this
vicinity. He was also an intimate
friend of Prof. Chas. H. LeFevre. of
this town, who during his tenure of
the Principalship of the Salisbury High
School, roOmed in the same building
with him. Prof. LeFevre speaks of
him as being a promising "young man
Of pure ideas, high sense of honor.
and cOmpauionable disposition. None
knew him but to love him.
now the Sad Accident Occurred.
The story of the tragedy is told in
the Baltimore San as follows.
"a party, composed of those who
were drowned and Miss Abby White,
daughter of Mr.. King V. White. of
Powellville, Wicomico county; Miss
Iris Tull, of Marion, Somerset county.
and Mr.. S. King White, vice-principaI
Of the Salisbury High School, drove to
tbs landing of Mr.. Gordon B. Jones to
spend the afternoon. Shortly after ar
irving there they all went in bathing.
The shore is sandy and the bathing for
those who are familiar with the spot is
considered entirely safe, but at one
point the bottom dips suddenly into
the channel. The members of the par-
ty had been advised of this, but Miss
Phillips, Miss White and Mr.. Ratcliff
we're bathing a short distance from the
others, and without realizing they
we're IN danger suddenly found them
selves beyond their depth. They cried
Tor nelp and Mr.. King White and Miss
Iull Immediately started to their as
astance, but before they could reach
them they, too, were struggling in
water over their heads. Neither Mr.
Katclltf nor Mr.. White was an expert
swimmer, but Mr.. White succeeded in
getting Miss Tull to place of safety
and started again to the assistance of
the others
lhree Sank For Last Time Together.
The young ladies in the meantime
mad become thoroughly frightened and
III thelr efforts to save themselves had
entWlned their arms around Mr.. Rat
eln's neck. Before Mr.. White could
quite reach them he saw all three sink
for the last time.
AS soon as they disappeared from
'he surface Mr.. White rushed to the
snofe to procure a boat, at the same
"ne calling for help. Two men who
were working on the shore had also
reached the landing and went in the
OOa' 10 the place of the accident, but it
was three-quarters of an hour before
Tue bodies could be found. The other
members of the party were in a thor
Uuenly exhausted condition, but did
ai III their power to resuscitate their
Ulenus. The nearest physician was at
'How Hill, l2 miles away, and could
NV oe reached in time to be of service.
"a u Grler Ratcliff, ESQ.,, who was
--O"hed' was one of the best known
!Oung lawyers on the peninsula, hav-
n; Oeen associated with Mr.. James E.
-uesood for the last five years. He
p' p@' .ne @ son OF MIR. and Mrs. John A. |
:. I''clln' OF Milford, Del, and nephew
81 H. u. Grier, of Salisbury. He
~ @i'eu life with the Adams Express
"Owpany, and was agent at Chester for
@' I'erAl years, later being promoted to
"" POsltlon OF route agent on the New
aS aD'A division. He read law in the
'. 'lce OF Mr.. Ellegood and attended law
P.M. at the Maryland University in
al a'inore. He was about 30 years old.
sa was considered an exceptionally
,iasal l' young man, having been asso-
knOwn cases" 'O" !" '0rne wen
n. .'oi' Charles H. LeFevre attended
Viii. iuneral at Milford yesterday. /
ls.. tue there Mr.. LeFevre was given a
os"' "ei, possibly the last words his de-
IN ny. 'eo friend ever wrote. 1t was found
,ooia siS coat pocket after the drowning
h@ uen'' The letter was in reference
ps~. so unbecoming treatment Prof. Le-
i.Sn ,ne received at the hands of the Sal
sn:,y School Board. II was never
NJ M'Iea p and with a broken sentence
Il :. hatcliff put the letter in his pocket
il na. ,sn at a more convenient time. 1t
srizaa aral that Prof. LeFevre should
'A' the letter very highly.