The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-19
GIRL DRAGS LOVER
TO WATERY GRAVE
Miss Pendleton Leaps
From a Bridge Into
Jackson River.
---------------
GALLANT YOUTH
TRIES SAVE HER
But Throwing Her Arms About
His Neck When They Were
Near Shore, Girl Carries
Both Down-Bodies
Have Not Been
Recovered.
Special to The Times Dispatch.1

CLIFTON FORGE, VA, April Is
Foiled in her attempt to marry the
man OF her choice and the dread of
meeting her mother and other relatives
after an unsuccessful attempt to elope
is given as the only reason for Miss
Mabel Pendleton. young and attrac-
tive woman. committing suicide by
jumping into jackson River from the
foot-bridSe which connects the main
part OF the city with South Clifton
Forge, this morning about o'clock.
Last night Mr.. Stuart Gay, son nf
Captain and Mrs c. S. Gay, and Miss
Mabel Pcndleton, who had been sweet
hearts for a long time. made UP their
minds to elope and get married.
They left on the midnight train for
Washington. but were intercepted ut
staunton and sent back to Clifton
Forge on passenger train No. 3, which
arrives here at G:30 A. NJ.
Chief of Police Hornbarger had been
requested to meet No. 3 and see that
the couple left the train at this point
This duty he performed. and the couple
agreed to obey orders without protest,
and started for their homes across
what Is known as the wire bridge that
spans Jackson River.
Jumps to Save Her.
Chief Hornbarger kept his eye on
them long enough to see that they
made a start for home, and when he
saw them start up the steps to the
bridge landing, he felt satisfied that
they would go home. and he therefore
paid no further attention to them.
After getting on the wire bridge, ff-
teen or twenty feet from the north
side of the river. Miss .Pendleton
jumped over the railing to the waters
OF the Jackson, out,thirty feet below.
and. as after events disclosed, went
down to a w-ater,. grave
The young man hesitated moment
climbed over the railing. and dropped
to the river. not with any attempt at
suicide. however, but to rescue his
sweetheart. When he reached the water
he swan to the young lady. some dis
tance away, and was making a dcs-
pcrate effort to save her life, when she
threw her arms about his neck and
they both We're drowned together.
Stuart Gay was an expert swimmer,
but with his wet clothing and the girl
to manage. he found it a hopeless task,
and had to surrender his life.
Like flash Of lightning the news
spread over the city. and within short
time the banks of the river were lined
with hundreds Of people. some watch
ing those searching for the bodies,
while others paraded the. banks of the
stream in the hope that they might
discover the lifcicss bodies of the
young lady and her companion.
Say They Did Not Leave Train.
There are those who claim that the
young couple never left tho train when
it arrived here. but went on to Hin
ton to carry out their plans of getting
married.
This is believed by many, yet all in
vain, as your correspondent has talked
with those who saw the girl in tie
river. and the man let himself down
to rescue her.
Miss Pendleton made her home ut
Waynesboro. Va, and was here on a
visit when she agreed to become the
bride of Stuart Gay. The young lady's
father Is dead, but her mother spends
most of her time with Mrs Hooker. on
Verge Street.
It Is understood that 1t was Mr..
Hooker, who sent the message TO
Staunton, asking for the arrest Of the
couple, and their return to Staun-
ton.
The objection to the marriage was
confined mainly to tho ages OF the
couple.
Miss Pendlcton spent yesterday in
Low Moor and came to Clifton Forge
late yesterday afternoon. She was a
beautiful girl, and had a host OF
friends, who will hear OF her death
with genuine sorrow. Every effort
will be put forth to recover the bodies
and the river will bo watched for sew
eral miles. So far the search has
been fruitless.
Tho tragedy is the chief topic Of
conversation. and no one will discuss
any other subject.
Gay was nineteen years of age and
Miss Pandleton eighteen. Their pa
rents are heartbroken over the sad oc-
currence