The Washington times., 1905-02-02
-FOUR IN RIVER
RESCU|NG ONE
Clark Slated Over Ice That
Was Too Thin.
HALF HOUR I'M ICY WATER
Other Accidents Occur in Attempts to
Pull Boy Out of the Eastern
Branch.
HALF HOUR I'M ICY WATER


Attempting to skate across the thin
ice in the channel of the Eastern |
Branch, John Clark. fourteen years old, |
and living at 124S Eleventh street south |
east. broke through the ice.
Attempts to rescue him resulted in |
the plungfng of four other boys in the |
icy waters
For almost half an hour Clark kept
his head above the surface by holding |
on to a cake of ice, which, while sup
porting him, was not strong enough TO |
bear his weight.
Clark was finally pulled out and taken
to the Providence Hospital.
How it Happened.
About o'clock yesterday afternoon
Clark started across the Eastern Branch |
On his skates, to join some companions
on the other side. In spite of the warn
ings of other skaters, Clark kept on. |
making for the wharf of the gas works |
near the foot Of Twelfth street south |
east.
Near the shore at this point there is
a strip of thin ice. Clark was skating
fast when he struck this. and was al
most half way across when the ice be-
gan to crack.
him. They shouted to him to go back.
but the boy refused to listen. Taking a
short stroke, he attempted to cross the
remaining strip with a dash, but had
hardly started when the ice broke. i
clings to an Ice Floe.
Clark plunged into the freezing water
and was lost to sight, only to reappear
holding tightly to a piece of ice which
was only strong enough to keep his
head out OF the water Time and again
he attempted to crawl to safety on one
of the big cakes floating within easy
reach. Each time they gave way be-
meath his weight.
The boy was soon surrounded by a
crowd OF skaters. Among the first to
go to the boys aid was Harry Shep-
herd, seventeen years old and living at
boldly, but himself broke through when
more than q dozen feet away from
Clark. Luckily the solid ice was only a
few feet behind him, and reaching it he
drew himself to safety.
Albert Luckett, fourteen years old. of
1901 G street sou theast, and William
Flaherty. fifteen years old, of i2l1 I
street southeast. tried to creep cautious
ly over the thin sheet of ice They had
bined weight proved too great q strain
On the ice. 1t broke and both were
plunged into the water almost directly
in front of the boy they We're trying to.
save.
Brought a Rope.
Attracted by the cries for aid Harry
Bailey. the keeper or a nearby boat
house, walked out on the ice. saw the
boys plight. and hurried off in search
OF a piece of rope. He returned with 1t
on the run and found several men en-
pioyed in the gas house attempting d
rescue by means of plank which they
had secured.
At every attempt to crawl out to the
q
threatening manner. At length Luckett
and F1aherty Were rescued and taken to
the gas house There they were stripped,
rubbed, and reclothed.
Clark was still in the frozen water
and was rapidly becoming exhausted
when John Pers1ng, seventeen years old
and living at 1111. n Street southeast,
saw the crowd and investigated He tied
skate TO the end of the rope furnished
by Bailey and made several casts. At
length he succeeded in landing it direct
" in front of Clark.
The latter, however. had both his hands
employed in keeping his head above the
water and could only take the skate be-
tween his teeth,
This helped but little. The hoy was
Too exhausted to aid in his own rescue,
His lips almost Immediately froze to the
skate which had been thrown him.
Goes After Clark
Persing then fastened the end of the
rope around his waist and started
toward the boy. Farther and farther
he walked. until it seemed to the watch
ing crowd that the ice would not break
with him.
Just as he reached the opening
caused by the previous falls, however,
UP in a moment, and grabbing Clark by
the shoulders assisted him To a plank
which some one had showed out in readi-
ness. On the plank, Clark vas seized
by dozen waiting hands, and was
pulled out just as the ambulance Of the
Providence Hospital arrived.
Cheer
sing, at great risk to his own life, de-
liberateiy walked out on the thin ice
however, he Immediately departed for
his home, where dry clothing was put
Gu, and the incident apparently forgot
ten.
In his rescue Persing was assisted by
James Hardin, nineteen years old. and
living at 1928 Eleventh street southeast.
Hardin Ventured far out the ice, and
caught Clark as he lifted out of
the water by Pers.ng The ice, strained
by the double weight. bent dangerously
and cracked in such threatening mar
ner that many spectators feared the
faught and that all three would be
plunged in the frozen stream.
Boy VIII Live.
His hands and feet frozen and uncun-
scious from exposure, Clark was finally
brought to dry land Some one in the
crowd produced a flask, and whisky was
poured down the unconscious boys
throat in an effort TO revive him. He
rallied but slightly. and was hurried
to the hospital, where for time II was
feared he would die from the effects
OF his long and terrible exposure.
He yielded to treatment however, and
was this morning reported greatly i'm
proved The attending physician says
Clark passed quiet night; and will,
unless pneumonia should develop, be
able to return TO his home within q
reasonable time.
COLLEGE OF LAW WILL