Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-10-12
NJ ISIS Bette Wilson browne d at
Virginia Beach

NJ ISIS Bette Wilson browne d I
Virginia Beach
Intelligence was received
Lexington NJ onday of the drowl
; ing Sunday afternoon at Virgil
ia Beach of MICS Bette Hunting
} ton Wilson of CharlesT Town, w. Va
youngest daughter of the LAT
Hon. William L. Wilson, who die
in Lexington several years ag
while president Of Washingto
and Lee University.
Miss Wilson met her death il
the ocean while bathing with
party made up of her sister, Mis-
Mary Wilson, Miss Mary NJ. Simp
son Of Washington. d. c., Mis-
Louis Latimer, of Washington
Miss Eliza Dillon, OF Indian Rock
her brother, Mr.. William L. vii
son, Jr., and Messrs. d. StOrmon,
and w. j. O'Keefe, OF Virgins
Beach.
After having remained in the
surf until they had become chilled
Messrs. Wilson and O'Keefe left
the girls in the care of Mr.. Stor'
mont.
Shortly afterwards the entire
party was caught by a terribly
strong undertow and rapidly
swept out. Mr.. Stormont realized
his inability to rescue all unaided,
and telling them to float, swan
ashore for aid. One life. boat
launched quickly swamped and
the second was without sufficient
oars. Hastily manned, it was
hurried through the choppy sea
toward the drowning girls.
Miss Bette Wilson was at this
time mere speck on the surface
from the shore, and the others
were strung out at distances up to
q quarter of mile from the
bre skers.
The second boat took aboard
Misses Simpson, Latimer and Mary
Wilson, but the dory threatening
to sink with any more in it, the
crew had to start ashore with
those rescued and leave Miss Dillon
and Miss Bette Wilson for another
trip. Miss Dillon, who was still
conscious, remained fast on the
first dory that had capsized, but
Miss Bette Wilson, having lost
her hold, was being swept far
to sea.
All this time Miss Wilson'S cries
for help could be heard, but those
ashore were powerless to help her.
Those in the second life-boat had
neither rudder nor steering oar,
and it was with great skill that
they succeeded in reaching the
party of girls and bringing Misses
simpson, Latimer and Mary Will
son ashore.
The rescued were quickly re-
moved from the boat. All were
apparently in lifeless condition
md 1t was only by heroic effort on
,he part of DR.. Brennamin, of the
Princess Anne Hotel and DR..
Granville, assistant to DR.. Land,
together with others on the Beach,
hat the girls were revived. 1t
ooked for a time as though all
we're dead, but after being
oiled upon barrels and receiving
lypodermic injection signs of life
we're seen. After getting the salt
water swallowed by the girls out
f their stomachs they were able to
lelp themselves to some extent,
nd then they were put to bed in
he Princess Anne Hotel.
When the rescuers reached Miss
Dillon a second time, she was still
linging to the overturned dory.
n, young woman, yet concious
nd practically in possession OF all
f her faculties, was raised into
he lifeboat, and then Miss Bette
wilson was sought. She had
rifted about u mile from shore,
ut the tide turning, her body
1as coming towards shore again
1hen the rescuers reached it.
When the life-boat reached Miss
wilson death had come and she
7as floating with her face and feet
ubmerged. 1t is thought she
led from heart disease while yet
eating upon her back and await
ng the resculng party.
Mrs. Wilson was with b er
augbters at Virginia Beach. The
were taken Monday b.
oat to Washington, thence to
,harles Town, w. Va, where the
ntermeut took place Tuesday In
he family lot in Edge Hill Gene
cry.
T1,r,r Eorrn;I prnnaaIi nm