The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1906-07-31
Two young cirls Drowned.

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Mount Holly was the drowning at Rance.
cas- Park, on Saturday evening, of Miss
Laura Bozarth, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs.
Benjamin Bozarth, of Monroe street,
aged 20 years, and Miss Susie Stills,
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. George Stills,
of Smithville. and of about the same age.
The latter parents lost two of their young
children several years ago, who fell
through the ice and were drowned.
At least one thousand people were at
the Park at the time of the drowning, but
as the accident occurred around the bend
In the lake and near the dam, there were
only eight persons who witnessed the
tragedy, which prevented any unusual
excitement among the throng. As boat
after boat pushed out to the scene, each
being manned by several persons. the sad
story became known, and as the rumor
spread hundreds of people lined the
shore in search of information.
1t was o'clock when Raymond Rambo
and Clarence Carmelia invited the ladies
to take ride, and proceeding to the land
ding they entered boat. AS the story
goes the young men at once began to rock
the craft. To this the girls objected and
asked to be put on shore again, but the
request was denied, and the boat glided
down stream. About 7.20 o'clock word
was received that the girls had been
drowned, death having been caused by
the boat capsizing, the result of foolhardY
actions on the part of the men, who are
said to have been rocking the boat and
splashing water on the girls Eye wit
nesses claim that when the boat upset one
man swan to shore. the other got on top
of the boat and the women were left to
their fate. A recital of these facts caused
Rambo and Carmelia to be placed under
surveillance, but they were subsequently
released until to-day when Coroner De-
Worth will hold an inquest at the Court
House.
On the other hand 1t is said by some
that the girls did not act altogether
properly In the boat. as they got up and
jumped around in a manner to endanger
their lives. This caused the craft to take
in water, and in order to tighten the boat
one of the men jumped overheard and held
on to the side to prevent it from overturn-
ing. Perhaps the true story of the affair
will be brought out to-day.
One or two good swimmers offered their
services to dive for the bodies, and word
was sent to the store at Hainesport for
graphing iron. To this Budd Colby, of
Centreton, attached some snapper hooks,
and about 1890 o'clock he caught the
girls, they being on the bottom of the lake
about fifteen feet from each other. One
was in ten feet, the other in about
four feet of water. Placed in boat they
were brought to the landing, most of the
people having left for home. After being
viewed by Coroner DeWorth, they were
placed in charge of Undertaken Hiram II.
Earnest, who took them to their respective
homes Sunday morning.
When James Stills, trolley motorman,
saw the dead body of his sister, he tainted, |
and he was an hour and half coming to- |
For time it was thought he would die
from the shock.
Ellis H. Parker gave Budd Colby s5 for
the bodies.
The accident is deplored ON all sides,
and serves as warning to all who go
boating that while ON the water there
should be the utmost care exercised.
Yesterday morning coroner Deworth I
selected the following jury: Charles Han
cock, foreman; Benjamin w. Zelley, s.
Earl Assay, William II. Goldy, Daniel
Evan and William Sherman. After view
ing the bodies the party, together with
she coroner and constable Throckmorton,
went to Rancocos Park and looked at the
'pot where the accident occurred. They
hen adjourned until this morning.
At one o'clock this afternoon the re
mains of Miss Stills will be buried in the
Brotherhood of America cemetery. Mount
Holly The officiating clergyman will be
Rev. G. F. Smith, of the Methodist
church at Lumberton, assisted by Rev. d.
Everett VanDright, former pastor, but
low of Seaville.
Miss Bozarth will also be buried this
afternoon at 4so'clock from her late resi-,
ience on Monroe street, with interment in
1t. Andrews burying ground. The SER
vices will be in charge of Rev. James
,toddard. Six young ladies from the fac
DRY of the Mount Holly Shoe Company
will act as pail bearers.