The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1906-07-17
TWO DROWN
FROM LAUNCH
Mr.. John ". Gordon and Miss Sat.
terlieId are Thrown Into
James River.
SAD ENDING or A PLEASURE PARTY

Especial io The Free Lauc'l
Richmond. Va. July l3. 40 4. NJ.
Miss Ro-c VI. Sattcrd,id. daughter of
Mr.. Calvin Sattcri,ld, oi Philadelphia.
and Mr. John " Gordon, Dr.. OF No.
90 West Franklin street. son OF Major
John ". Gordon. of Richmond were
drowned in the river hast night both he-
inc members of a pleasure party which
went ior the evening on the river on ~
naptha launch.
The tragedy occurred about three miles
below Richmond. in what i- known ~
the Dead Mans Reach
In the party wcre besides Miss Satter-
field and Mr.. Gordon Miss May Serpcllc,
of Louisville. Miss Edna Wright OF New
Jersey: Mi-s Amis Clarke. oi Richmond;
NJ Cahen Fitzgerald, Mr. Herbert
WhitelurSt. Mr. John Hohsou of Pow
hatan county, and Mr. Nelson Robins
the host Of the evening
Their launch WAS the Charlotte. which
Mr. Robins secured for thcc,cniog.
Nearly the entire party WAS on the
roof OF the cabin enjoying the c'oi broz'
aud thc spin through thc water About
Io'clocA the PoraAontas. with the eN-
,ur-ion of the 81. Leo Club, WAS ou it~
return trip to Richmond from Dutch Gap
In the cndravor to get in smooth water
the party crossed ia the trough OF the
waves Just behind the steamer.
The violent rocking Of the launch was
such that Mr. Gordon and Miss Satter-
field and Miss Clarke We're thrown from
their seats INTO the water BY Violent
rxertion they We're able to rescue. Miss
clarke by handing her one of the cu-h-
ions. hut We're unable to reach Mr.. Cor
don and Miss Salteriicld ON account of
the rapid motion oi their own boat AMI
the water from the Wheels %! the Poca-
honta-
Miss Clarke was taken into the boat
with the greatest difficulty and not until
then dil the awfulncss of the situation
dawn upon those who survived.
The bodies of Mr. Gordon and Miss
SatterGrld at once disappeared under the
water. and though the party circled
around the spot where they were last
seen for two hours, nothing could
bee discovered OF them.
MIS-, ~Ar1rnfIIp', BODY RECOVERED.
Richmond. July IT,, , T.. NJ.
The body Of Miss SatterGrld wasiound
floating in the river this morning
WAS TRYING TO SAVE GIRL.
1t is generally conceded that young
Gordon lost his life in an attempt to
rescue the young woman from watery
grave. 1t is said that be- WAS an expert
swimmer and could easily have taken
care oi himself.
The other girl. vino was thrown from
the launch simultaneously with the miss
ing couple, says that when she came to-
the surface the first time aud saw the
two struggling in the water. Gordon
called ont to her cheeriully 10 wait a
minute and he would rescue her too.
She SAYS that the young man spoke con-
hdently. ~ If he was experiencing little
trouble in sustaining his companion
above the water.
She then went down for th" second
time. and when she came to the surface
again the other two had disappeared,
only the black water confronting her on
every side with the black vessels float
ing near 10y and a cushion which had
been thrown to her bobbiug up and
down within her reach She sustained
herself with the cushion until the small
boat and rescuers reached her.
sPRANG OVERHEARD.
Miss Clark also states that in her opin-
ion young Gordon did not fall into the
water at all, but that he sprang over
board in order to save Miss Satteriield,
losing his own life in the heroic attempt.
Young Gordon was one OF the most
popular young men Of the social life OF
Richmond. He was born in iscity and
his home has always been here. Col. Cor
don. his father. is one OF the youngest
veterans Of the Confederate army.
The death Of Miss Satterlield has east
n gloom over the entire younger social
set with whom she was immensely pop
MAR Her attractive personality and
radiant disposition had won for her
many friends. She made her debut last
winter. Miss Satterfeld graduated with
highest honors from Hollns Institute
last season. Since leaving school, she
has been entertaining charming house
party.
1t was the intention OF the party
shortly to break up and go into camp III
4l,o mountains for the remainder Ot the