Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-08-23
IN OUR OWN STATE
Mrs. Proctor, Wife of Governor,
Narrowly Escaped Drowning
George Couture, Member Of sherman's
Band, Drowned-Aoeldent Occurred on
Excursion on Lake champlaIn.

Band, Orowned-Aoeldent Occurred on
Excursion on Lake champlaln.
The trip of the Vermont Association Of
Boston on Lake Champlan Friday was
broken up by an accident which resulted
In the drowning of George Couture, 81,
OF Burlington, member of Sherman's
band and the narrow escape of Mrs.
Proctor wife Of Governor f. d. Proctor.
who was not restored fully to conscious
ness until two or three hours after she
had been taken from the water The
water was so rough at Keelers Bay That
the captain of the Chateauguay decided
to land the passengers from small boats
instead of running the steamer directly
to the shore Naphtha launches were
being used to carry the passengers when
eX-ldeut Gov. Fiske signalled to Henry
Martin to come to the opposite side of
the Chateauguay from which the crew
were helping passengers into the small
boats. Mr.. Martin and his companion,
Victor Hurlburt, ran up to the gangway
and Mrs. Proctor was helped into the
launch and Couture stepped into It, The
steamer was drifting toward the shore
and Capt. Rockwell not knowing of the
position of Martins launch ordered the
engines started When the steamer
moved the canopy top of the launch
caught on the guard Of the steamer and
this tipped the launch partly over, the
paddle wheels of the steamer at the
same time creating a big suction Mr.
Hurlburt was reaching his hand to help
Mrs. Prouty, wife of Lieut.. Gov. Prouty
into the launch when the steamer star
ted.
Seeing her danger Mrs. Proctor cried
to Mr.. Hurburt to save her and he held
her up until he saw there was danger of
her head being crushed between the two
boats and he let go. The next instant
VI nl CT ths.
threw 1t and the two occupants under
the wheel The launch was thrown into
the paddle wheel and Mr.. Couture was
not seen again. 1t is thought he was
struck by the wheel and stunned or killed
Mrs. Proctor was thrown about eight
feet under water but her dress retained
enough air so she gradually rose to the
surface. Life preservers were thrown
toward her but she could not reach any
Of them.
Herbert Mctcalf. son of the Rev. ]. H.
Metcalf, formerly of Burlington. and
Hugh Fraser, who were in a little power
boat, ran alongside Mrs Proctor and Met
calf grabbed ner dress, which tore away.
fraser however. got "A better hold and
at that instant Captin Rockwell and
First Mate Frank Cross got alongside in
a lifeboat and Mrs. Proctor was lifted
from the water and the boat started for
shore.
Gov. Proctor did not know OF her ac-
cident until his wife was taken out Of the
water Or. i. a. Burnham of Boston. a
member Of the party, was called and sent
ashore in a boat to care for Mrs. Proc
tor and the governor was taken to his
wife as soon as possible. DR.. Burnham
took charge of Mrs. Proctor and was
assisted by Mrs w j. Bgelow and Miss
Emma Bruce, who were trained nurses
As soon as Mrs. Proctor was strong
enough she was placed on a cot and car
ried into a boathouse, where she re-
NAMED until she was able to be taken
to the railroad station, two or three
hours later a special train was ordered
and Gov Proctor and his wife and party
left for Proctor. Mrs Proctor is making
complete recovery but she has been
confined to her ned several days.
Mr.. Couture leaves a wife and four
children, the oldest boy IL years and
the youngest six months old. He was 81
years Of age and was a carpenter by
trade, being a member OF the Carpenters
Union Of Burlington, and was highly re-
garded by his associates. Couture had
taken out a policy Friday morning in the
Peerless Accident company for $500 The
fact that he met death by drowning will
entitle his heirs to double the amount
insured for. Tine Vermont Association
of Boston subscribed a good sum to be
given to his widow and the members of
the band gave her the money which they
received for their days work.
Mrs Proctor is suffering from an injury
received during the accident but Is max
ing good recovery, and does not seem to
feel the nervous effects of the shock as
seriously as might be expected.