Bridgeton pioneer., 1902-08-28
FRIGHTFUL DETAILS
OF THE TRAGEDY,

AS uAO HhiiOWlAS uobdllS OI GD0 aW-
full tragedy at Cumberland Causeway
Aug. 20 develops, the story becomes
one of the saddest and most deplorable
in which the people of this city have
ever experienced.
A day of pleasure is turned to one
of disaster. Anticipated home com
ing is turned into greatest grief
Beautiful, bright girls of most re-
markable family leave home in the
morning in the full flush of young
womanhood, to be brought back under
the cover of darkness, cold in death,
taken from watery grave, and that
too after it seemed that the heroic
struggle of volunteer life saver
would be crowned with success.
Sad is the story the Pioneer gives
in all it's gruesome details this after
noon.
The party that went down to the
Causeway which separates Cumber-
land from Salem, comprised number
of young folks of st. Mary's Catholic
Church. Among them were Miss Mel
lie Fralinger, the second eldest daugh-
ter of Florence Fralinger and her sis
ters, Bertha and Chrissie. Miss Mel
lie was twenty four years old and for
some time has been in the employ of
Hunt Bros. Miss Bertha was seven
teen. The escorts of the young ladies
were Peter Degan, young farmer
Edward Degan, Girard Degan, who is
employed by George Moore, the tailor,
and Frank Fralinger, cousin of the
young ladies.
The happy young folks arrived at the
Causeway without incident, and pro-
ceeded to plan pleasures for the day
Some of the party scattered about,
and finally Peter and Edward Degan
proposed a trip in a small boat which
was lying about the bridge. The in
vitation to row was accepted by Miss
Nellie and Miss Bertha. Others of
the party were upon the bridge watch
ing the four embark in, the boat,
among them being Miss Chrissie
Fralinger, and a cousin, Frank Fra
linger.
The tide of Stoe Greek was going
out, and at this point was rushing
fast. The boat in which the young
folks were, was anchored just above
the bridge and the young ladies en-
joyedlcrabbing. After awhile the an
chor was raised and before the person
with the oars could get control of the
boat, it shot down with the swiftly
running tide under the bridge.
Low hanging beams under the
bridge caused the party to all lean
over one side of the boat and the little
craft took in water and instantly the
four young folks were thrown into the
creek.
There was great excitement for the
moment. The girls and the fellows
caught low beams under the bridge
but the current was so swift that it
swept them away from it.
Frank Fralinger, cousin, was upon
the bridge. Acting instantly he
plunged into the whirling waters and
heroically went to the struggling
girls.
They were remarkably cool and
obeyed his instructions implicitly.
They caught hold of his shoulders,
and the young man began fearful
struggle to fight against tide with
his precious burden. How he did it
no one can explain. With desperate
courage he baffled the awful current
and actually made rapid Roadway. He
carried the young women under and
above the bridge, and it seemed that
lie would be successful.
Above the bridge was anchored in
the stream an old boat. Girards Degan
hurried to this and managed to break
the chain. Breaking off board he
guided the boat down the stream to
meet the struggling party.
He succeeded, and Frank Fralinger
grabbed the side of the boat. Cling
ing to either arm was one of the
young ladies. On the other side Ed
ward Degan, who had been able to
keep up, had grasped the boat. Peter
Degan was struggling little further
down the stream.
Gfrard Degan was using his every
effort to paddle with the board and
keep the boat from dashing down
against the bridge and crushing out
the life Of those hanging to it. He
was succeeding we'll, and had the
boat very near the shore when Peter
Degan had managed to swim near
enough to catch hold of Frank Fra
linger's leg. This added burden, with
the tide sweeping down, taxed Fra
Enger's strength beyond endurance.
Girard Degan urged Frank to perse-
we're, that it would be but a. moment