Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1904-10-10
SOMERSET.
SHAW NUT.

The people of this little community
received a severe shock last Friday
afternoon in the drowning of Mrs.
Louise Emery of Benton, and the mar
row escape of L. II. Nichols, suporin-
tendent of the sawmills Of Lawrence
Newhall & Page Co. of this village,
Although diligent search has been
made by friends ami relatives, I'D 10
the present time the body has hot been
recovered. All day sunday boats were
dragging the river in the vicinity of
the accident, but without results. Mrs,
Louise Emery was the widow of the
late Joshua Emery of Benton, and
was As years of age. She is survived
By two sons. Earl and Joshua, and by
two sisters, Miss Lillian Hunter and
Mrs. BENJAMIN Luce, all of whom are
re siGents of Fairfield. The sympathy
of the entire community is exten.led
to the bereaved ones. In d recent lit
terview with Mr.. Nichols he related
tine facts of the accident AS follows:
Mrs. Emery had been visiting al the
home of Mr.. Nichols for a few days
and as she was preparing to moTa to
Fairfield, she thought that she had
better return home after her little rest
and complete her arrangements for
moving. Mrs. Emery and Ms.
Nichols after dinner went to the mills
and hunted up Mr. Nichols, who is
superintendent of the mills here, and
asked him to row her over. AS the
water is very shallow below the dam
most of the crossing by boat is above
the dam. He left his work and went
to the boat landing. Mr.. Nichols is
very careful and trustworthy man
and is well acquainted with the river
having always lived and worked
around it. When they started the
weather was fair, and the wind favor
able. there being only an ordinary
breeze blowing from the south. Ow-
ing to the high water caused by the
recent rain it was necessary for Mr..
Nichols to row up river some little
distance before starting to cross as the
current would naturally bear them
down river in the direction of the dam.
They had started to cross and were
about midway of the river, which is
quite wide at this point, when without
any warning a squall from the north
struck them and swept all before it.
Tic wind blew with such force and Mr..
Nichols having only paddle with
which to guide the boat. that they
We're gradually carried down stream.
in spite of his heroic efforts to stem
the storm. Mr.. Nichols, thoroughly
aware of the danger of the dam. made
for the only possible hope of safety. a
boom buoy which lies about 10 feet
above the dam. AS they made the
buoy Mr.. Nichols told Mrs. Emery to
grab it with both arms" This she
did and as the boat swung around he
jumped onto the dam. At this time
there was about 10 inches Of water go
ing over the dam and the wind was
churning the water into white caps.
BY this time the mill crew saw the
danger and a boat manned by ''lOg
men" started to the rescue. When
Mr.. Nichols jumped out of the boat.
Mrs Emery jumped out also but hung
to the buoy. He told her to Jump
back again" as quick as she could,
which she did. BY her hanging to
the buoy and keeping the bow of the
boat head to the wind. and he holding
the stem standing shoulder deep in the
water braced against the flush-boards,
he was in hopes that he could hold her
until help arrived. They held in this
position for time but for some un-
known reason, either benumbed by the
cold or fanting, no one knows which,
her hold slipped and the bow of the
boat swung around away from the
buoy. AS it did Mr.. Nichols told her
to jump for him and apparently she
did, but something happened and she
missed and was carried over the dam
to her death. BY reaching down and
grasping the dashboard Mr.. Nichols
was able to keep himself from follow
ing. although every wave would take
him off his feet. Before his strength
gave out he was rescued by the crew
from shore, who showed great bravery
and good Judgment in the management
Of the rescue. Mr.. Nichols claims that
it was not due TO over excitement as
there was no time after they realized
their peril that either one showed
fright. Mr.. Nichols was overcome
by the sad end of his friend and
visitor and the sympathy Of all is ex-
tended to him.
SMITHFIELD.
onc OF our Oldest CltlZenS Moses DlnS-
r!or" is very i'll with n complication of
diseases
Miss Jennie Crowell is attending the
baptists convention at Waterville.
Mrs, Nichols is visiting In Rome.
Miss Cora Stevens is going to Winthrop
to work for Mrs. MILFORD Trewcrey
MIS-. Cara Hartford has made a record
with three cows which we think will be
hhrd to beat. She informs us that from
tne OH of July until the last daV Of Sep
tember She made 1871 pounds of butter |
nNe good sized cheeses. rails. d four good
calves by hand. besides using what milk |
ana cream was necessary in the family. |
u anyone has made a better record |
Please report.
Christopher Adeli stepped on nail a !
-" days ago which penetrated nearly |
~, ohyh his foot. 1t has given him con- |
Slnerahle trouble but is now better.
r n" funeral services of the late Melvin |
lreWorgy. whose death by typhoid fever
Wa MhS briefly noted. last week. was held at |
NE iat" home and was conducted by Rev |
ofn "a Il |