Fort Mill times. [volume] (Fort Mill, S.C.) 1892-current, 1907-09-19

rrienu 1atcn anu DrOWned-Her
Young Husband Tried to Rescue
Her, But He Had to Be Rescued.
Swept off the deck of yatch while
dining with her husband, Mrs. Mar
gerita Croft, on her honeymoon, We'd
nesday met death near Greenwich
Point, close to Philadelphia, and the
life of her husband, John Croft. was
saved only through the frantic eff
forts of friends.
Croft is said to be the head of a
big advertising agency in New York.
but his exact address cannot be learn
ed, as his nervous state is such that
he Will answer no questions concern
ing himself.
A few days ago G. f. n. Bennett. q
wealthy advertising agent of Phila
delphia, inviting Mr.. Croft and his
twenty-one-year-old bride to take a
trip with him to the Jamestown Ex-
position.
The invitation was accepted and
the party set forth on the schooner
rigged yatch Bennett" which is
equipped with motor power. No ac-
cident marked the voyage to Hamp-
ton Roads, and the young coupIe.
piloted by their Philadelphia friends.
enjoyed themselves hugely in the
maze of exhibits.
After a few days spent wandering
around the grounds and visiting the
surburbs, the party decided to return
ha
groom left the Exposition with re-
gret, but when splendid weather ia
vored the beginning OF the voyage
they were content.
Late Wednesday the Bennett using
only her sails for purposes OF propul-
sion. skinned up the Delaware River
to Greenwich Point Just as the
crew were rounding her into the pro-
per channel a tremendous souall
struck the vessel.
On the deck at the time. chatting
and planning for the future they he
lieved would be happy, were the new
ly married couple. With their hosts
they sat at table and ate and drank
amid jesting and criticisms OF the big
fair. When the great gush of wind
struck the vessel, without single
premonitary roar, the sail bellied out.
the boom was swept about in an in
stant, and Mrs. Croft, with her hus-
band looking into her eyes and laugh
ing, was tossed into the water. which
had become turbulent under the in
fuence of the violent wind.
Everybody but Croft sat still.
stunned and bewildered The hus-
band sprang to his feet, and. scorn-
ing the danger of being struck by the
boom as 1t swung back after it's
hinges had caused reaction, leaped
over the rail at the point where his
bride had disappeared. For many
minutes the unfortunate man, crazed
by grief, struggled like maniac.
The crew put the vessel about and
swished by Croft, who fought against
the men who tried to pull him to the
deck.
But the crew was too strong for
Croft, and he was dragged aboard,
while not trace of his young wife
could be found. The Bennett sailed
around the spot many times. the hus-
crying madly for "Margerita" and the
crew hallowing constantly. But the
search was futile. Mrs. Croft, on the
eve of what she believed would he
career of happiness, had died.
Thursday night the Bennett was
still cruising about, and two police
tugs were called. the bluecoats using
hooks and nets With whwich to drag
the bottom on the stream.
Croft. sitting his sobs, gritted his
teeth and said in desperation.
II am going to stay here until ]
find Margerita IL 1t takes all year. :"
Doctors were called to attend the
New Yorker. but the tremendous
nervous strain under which he is lab
oring has sufficed to keep him up
physically. although 1t is believed
when he realizes fully the loss he has
suffered his mind may be affected. at
least temporarily. The grief of the
man has touched the heart of scores,
and boatmen who never heard of
Croft are out aiding in the search