The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-08-16

Miss MARVIN Riley OF Birmingham,
Ala, who is Il guest AT the barrymore
hotel on Wrightsville Beach, had d
narrow escape from drowning in the
surf in front OF the hotel Sunday
shortly liter nOoL her rescue Ly y u
Nj. Freeman Yopp, the hotel life say
er being one of the most thrilling and
heroic of its kind that ever occurred
on the Beach.
Miss Riley, in company with her
friend, Miss Reba Lewis, of Birming-
ham, and two gentlemen, Mr.. Hankins
of this city, and a Mr.. Smith, Of Bal
ur1Ore, made up a surf party which
started in bathing about noon. Miss
| Riley and Mr.. Smith led the way into
the surf and ON account of the low tide
they had to go some distance out before
they reached the breakers. Suddenly
| both OF the bathers were caught in the
swiftly outgoing under-fOw, and a
Zig wave striking them, causei them
to be separated and Miss Riley drifted
| out beyond her depth, away from the
others.
She Immediately made an cutlery,
| and her companion, not being a good
! swimmer, thought it best to summons
| assistance, so he ran to the waters
edge and cried for help. Mr.. Yopp,
who at the time was not on duty, d
hour not being one of the regular bath
49, Lo,-- --o, cif+;r~ on tho nNroh NJ
the third floor of the hotel, talking
with a friend. When he heard the call
for help, realizing the necessity TO"
Immediate action, sprang over the ban
lister and sided down the posts lead
ing from one foo to the other, to the
ground. He then started on a rapid
run to the surf, several hundred yards
distant, casting off as he ran his diff
ferent top garments. When he reached
the waters edge he slung his shoes on
and rushed bravely to the rescue OF the
drowning woman. In her st Vggles
when the life saver reached her Miss
Riley caught at Mr.. YOpp frantlcaly,
but he resorted to heroic methods to
bring her into submission II then he
started for the shore with the ~lifeless
body in his arms. Other help had by
this time started out, and when Mr..
YOpp was able to touch bottom a life
line was handed him by Mr.. w. G.
Manson, chief engineer at the hotel,
and the two were brought ashore, Miss
Riley in an unconscious condition and
apparently lead and Mr.. Yopp fright
fully fatigued and wearied by his
strenuous experience.
Energetic and heroic efforts were
then inaugurated to restore life and
after nearly th~ree-quarters Of an hours
hard work on the part of several per-
sons, directed by JanitOr James Walton
of the Carolina Yacht club, and with
the free use Of stimulants Miss Riley
slowly regained consciousness. Ply
sicians had been hastily summoned
and as soon as possible they had the
young lady removed to the hotel
where she was given attention, the
presence of a physician being required
throughout the afternoon and during
part of the night. Several times dur
ing the night Miss Riley he'd several
sinking spells and her condition was
| thought to be desperate, but yesterday
there appeared to be much improve
ment, though she is still awfully weak.
The incident occurred when the
beach was crowded and it created in
tense excitement. Soon after MI.
Yopp started out in the surf, the
beach became crowded with people.
and the thrilling rescue was witness
J ed by a large number of ladies and
gentlemen. Mr.. Yopp had to run
a long distance from the hotel to
the surf and hen he had to go
out probably 300 yards into
the water before he reached Miss Ri
ley.
The young man was shoWered with
congratulations by those who had
witnessed the rescue.
Later in the day the guests in the
barrymore as a token of their APP
probation for his heroic rescue,
made up a purse which they contrib
uted to Mr.. Yopp.
This is the first serious occurrence
of the entire summer, the season hav-
ing been unusually free from serious
mishaps.
FOUR WERE DROWNED
Schooner and Steamer Collide in
Tnnn leland Sonn6