Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1907-04-20
Jackson River at Clifton Forge Re-
fuses TO Give up Mabel P5ad-
Teton And Young Gay
MERCHANTS CLOSE STORES TO AID
Dynamite Fails to Reveal Trace of
Location of victims-Trasedy
Casts Gloom over Entire commu.
nity-said That the Girl Had Told
Parents She Would XIII Herself.

Notwithstanding that continuous
search has been made since carly
yesterday morning to recover the
bodies of Miss Mabel Penllcton and
Stuart c. Cay. who were drowned IN
Jackson river after they had plunged
from the suspension bridge, their
bodies are still in the stream.
Dynamiting was kept M greater
portion of last night. and hundreds
of persons have stood along the
banks of the stream, hoping to get
glimpse of the bodies or some of the
clothing worn by the unfortunate pair.
Just as soon as boats could be got.
ten. citizens began the search for. the
bodies Of The two young lovers All
day and all night long drag nets and
hooks were used. The stream was
dynamlted for Il mile or more.
As soon as the news of the affair
spread, many places OF business were
closed and all joined In the search,
but to no avail The racts In the case
are about as follows:
Miss Mabel Pendleton, who lived
near Waynesboro, came here Wednes.
day evening from Low Moor. where
she had been visiting relatives. and
In company with Mr.. Gay, witnessed
tho production of "The Clansman" in
the Masonic theatre.
Caught at Staunton.
After the play they went to tho dc.
pot and waited for tho midnight train.
Purchasing tickets for Washington.
they boarded the train, but In some
manner Mrs. W. II. Hooker, a, sister
of Miss Pendleton. heard OF tho clone.
ment and wired the officials of Staun.
ton TO arrest them. They were ar.
rested and sent back here
At the station they We're met Inv
Chief of Police ". It. Hombarger.
who told them to go to their homes.
which they said they would do The
chief accompanied them short dis.
lance and left them. They. continued
IN the direction of South Clifton.
whore young Gay lived. A sister of
the girl also lived there.
They started to cross the river over
the bridge, and Miss Pendlcton. who
was In the rear of Mr. Cay, took off
her hat and placed 1t on the bridge.
and before the young man could
reach her side, jumped to the river
below
Boys Heroic Act.
Young Gay being an excellent
swimmer. jumped In after her and
succeeded in bringing her to the sur.
lace; but before other help could come
TO their rescue. the girl threw both
arms around Mr.. Gays neck and both
disappeared for the last time. Howard,
0uaries' a negro. who was one of
The cyc-witnesses, went to their res.
cue, but having on his clothes. which
prevented him from swimming, he
could not render the drowning pair
any assistance.
1t was first reported that both
jumped from the bridge together. hut
this is denied by those who witnessed
The sad affair The pair had been
on intimate terms several wears ana
their youth was the only objection TO
their marriage.
Girl Had Threatened Suicide,
1t Is reported that Miss Pcndleton
had several times said she was going
10 commit suicide unless she could
marry Mr.. Gay. She was beautiful
girl. highly respeGt1d and possessed
disposition, chat @or, her many
frie"dis. - Sic Is survived Wy :ner
mother, Mrs. Matte Pcndlcton. and
one sister. Mrs. Hooker.
Young Gay was the youngest son
OF Captain Charles S. Gay. promj.
nent railroad man of this place. and
was popular among the young people
Of this city. He was member of
the Methodist Episcopal church
south. and had been employed at the
chesapeake & Ohio shops here two
years or more.
The sad affair has caused much OK.
citemcnt here and for several hours
business was at standstill.
Mr.. Gay Is survived by his mother,
father. one sister and one brother.
He was born In Charlottesville and
lived several years in Stannton.
rho tragedy has cast gloom over
The entire town and expressions of
sympathy for the two young lovers
and their parents arc heard on every.