The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1906-08-18
Drowned i'm Red River.

A tragic and most distressing accident occur
red last Sunday night about $50 o'clock. In which
Miss Mary Wells lost her life by drowning In Red
river.
A marty OF six persons consisting OF Sam L.
wells q nd wife. Misses Mary and Clara Wells. and
Messrs Ben Ferrier and Howard Wells. left Col
fax on sunday morning to spend the day visiting
in Boyce and started on the return trip about
dark. They Travelled in the gasoline launch Mil
ton Dunn. owned by Frank Dunn and 8. l..
Wells a vessel 6ls feet vide by % feet in length
They we're using napths instead OF gasoline. and
when at point about FIVE miles from conax de-
cided to refill their tank. and did so compare
lively in the dark for the sake Of safety but spill
ed some OF the explosive In the attempt The
sparker ignited the spilled naptha. enveloping
the boat In a flame and causing panic to get
out All hands rushing tn one side caused the
boat tn capsze but five of the inmates managed
TO preserve thor lives by cingfng to the overturn
ed boat In the confusion Of the explosion. and
the boat rocking and turning almost over once
or twice. Miss Mary Wells disappeared. and ther
loss was not known until her survivors began TO
call to one another IN the dark.
Realizing their great peril they began to cry
aloud for help and fortunately attracted the at
tention OF James Taylor. colored man living on
Mr. McNeeIy's Five Oaks plantation. Taylor
managed to get to them with his skiff after they
had been In the water about a half hour, and
had aoated to a point about the upper line OF the
Goodwin place. The action of Taylor was alto
gether praiseworthy and heroic. and he deserves
great honor for his bravery and success In the
saving of life. He repeatedly called to them to
hold on fast and he would be sure and save ALL As
he came near he asked who they were and how
many aud cautioned them to keep still and LEI
him get the two ladies In his skin first. This he
did quickly and skillfuly and then helped tht
| three men aboard, taking them all safely to shore
/ where they were met by a number OF Negro
women, who took them in charge. built nre II
the cabin near by and furnished them with dry
clothing, all them being chilled. muddy ane
cramped from their long stay In the murky water
The launch finally settled and sank opposite
| Johnson's landing, located about the center o
the Goodwin place. end all day Monday ant
| Tuesday was spent diving. searching and drag
cling the river for the body of Miss Mary Wells
supposed to be in or near the launch. Fully TIVE
hundred citizens. white and black. engaged II
this humane work. quite number sitting mp a
night and watching for two or three days an
nights NJ ulHssFhl points TOT Wv oou!'
The body was finally Dissolved on Thursda
morning by Mr. sparrow. at point south OF tn
Catholic church about opposite the Corinn
place. several miles from the suDken boat. Tn
remains we're brought to Colfax and buried In tn
town cemetery that afternoon. many friends an
relatives being present
The deceased was tine second daughter OF Cap
M Wells. the popular postmaster at Cola,
and was granddaughter OF Ex-Gov. J. Mad
son Wells. She was about "a years old tn
familyis quite numerous. there being about te
OF her brothers and sisters living. and scores
uneles, aunts and cousins Miss Mary was know
among her friends and loved ones by the nicl
name of Midget" and her sunny pleasant wa,
made her a great favorite with all who knew he
The family has the heartfelt sympathy OF Il
citizens OF this entire community in their gres
sorrow and the Chronicle joins them In sadne
aud regret at the untimcly and tragic death
this lovely young lady.