The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1905-11-25
JOHN DRUMGOULD'S
COURAGEOUS ACT
He Diyed Into Fifteen Feet
OF Water and Brought Up
James Cruickshank Who
Was Going Down For The
Last Time.

One of the saddest accidents that ever
happened in this city, occurred at 4.30
last evening when three lads, all between
the ages OF z and IL, were drowned in
Stevens branch just below Bianchi &
Sons stoneshed.
The dead are:
Frank Bianchi, aged H.
John Bianchi, aged Z.
Francis Broderick, aged s.
These lads with three others were
playing on the ice between Bianehi a.
Sons works and the new trestle across
the river to the Morse and SortweIl prop
terty. The older Bianchi boy had skates
on, but the others had none. The Ice
on this section of the river was very.
thin and Francis Broderick ventured out
too far and the Ice gave way, letting
him into the water.
Tried to Save Companion.
Frank Bianchi tried to pull the little
fellow out but the ice kept breaking, let
ting him in, too. Made desperate at
seeing his brother and the little Brode-
Trick boy in the water, seven years old
AJohn BianclIi got 4 stick and tried to
help the boys out. Again the ice gave
lway, this time taking two boys with it,
John Bianchi and James Cruickshank.
The later was only nine years old but
he managed to keep alloat and screamed
Iat the top Of his lungs.
John Drumgould's Bravery.
John Drumgould, boy some IL years
Eof age, heard the screams and ran to
the boys assistance. By this time three
lof the lads had disappeared and Drum
gould dived into the water. Just in time
TO catch James Cruickshank as he was
going down the third time. Drumgould
came up under the ice, but it was 50
thin that he broke it with his fist and
managed to get To shore with his preci-
ous burden.
BY this time the two lads who had
been with the boys on the ice and who
had not fallen in, had attracted the at
Itention Of some men returning from
work. These seized plank and started
for the river but there was no sign
Of any body in the water when the men
! arrived The broke up the ice, however,
lin hopes that the unfortunate boys might
be on the surface Of the water, just
Iunder the ice. but there were no signs
of them. A boat was secured near by,
and men Immediately began searching
/. for the bodies, with long poles and
hooks. Frank Bianchi's body was found
inside of half an hour but the other two
were not found until an hour later.
Mr.. Bianchi Rushed Into Water.
When Mareielo Bianchi heard that
his boys were in the river, he rushed TO
the edge Of the river and waded right
in until the water was over his head.
: Not being able to swim, he probably
would have drowned had not Henry
Moore bent the limb of a tree down 50
tht he could get hold Of it, and then
helped him out.
Chief of Police Patrick Brown and
D. j. w. Jackson arrived at the river
soon after the drowning. At that time
there was no boat and no grapples to
be found, but Mr.. Brown went to the
I tool sharpening shop of Moore Brothers
& Brault, where Robert Morgan and
: William Hurry, sharpeners, soon had
! three grapples fashioned and welded onto
J poles. A boat was finally found drawn
! up on the shore near James Ahern's
:. shop.
James Cruickshank was taken 10 the
! home Of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. jaime:
: Cniickahank Of Prospect avenue. The
little fellow was given hot bath and
{ tucked into warm bed. He was pretty
! badly frightened but it i not thought
! that any bad results will follow
The Bianchi boys were the only child
rem Of Mr.. and Mrs. Marcello Bianeh
lof 2la Second street. The sad accident
has prostrated Mrs. Bianchi and the ser
vices Of several women were needet
e Ito keep her from doing herself harm.
Francis Broderick is the SON of Mr.
and Mrs. John Broderick Of 513 Nortl
d Main street. Mr.. and Mrs. Brodericl
). have three other children, but Franci
it was their Oldest boy.
d All three Of the lads were bright litti
II fellows.
q Mrs. Bianchi has not yet been inform
t ed of the death Of but one of the BOYS
g she not being in condition to be toll
y of the smaller boys death. A nurs
It and doctor remained with her throug
& the night, and she was out of her hea
for many hours.