The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-04-01
VICTIM OF
THE RIVER
Phillip Barrett Slipped to
a Watery Grave.
WAS PLAYING ON THE BANK
He Never Rose After He First
Sank.
WAS PLAYING on THE BANK
He Was the Son of w. n. Barrett, o.
Of the Best knewn slea Of ths
City-Body II
Recovered.

The Alabama River yesterday after.
noon claimed as its first victim or the
year little Phillip Barrett. the 10 year
old son of w. II. Barrett From the
treacherous bank of the river at the
extensian of Whitman Street, the child
slipped into swirling waters and after
unavatling heartrending struggles. dis
appeared beneath the water and was
seen no more.
The body of the unfortunate boy
has not yet been recovered, although
every EFFORT is being made to ldcate
It. The tragedy occurred at shout
o'clock yesterday afternoon.
Together with Barrett. Chester WILL
is. the young son of Mr.. and Mrs. John
E. Willis. fell into the river at the
same time. More fortunate than his
companion he was rescued by his
younger brother who extended to him
stick by the aid of which he was
enabled to regain the bank and safety.
Philip Barrett and the three Willis boys
yesterday afternoon went down to the
river to see the Government boat.
which Is anchored just opposite the OK
tension OF Whitman street. the river
Is high and II was near the level Of
the street With the carelessneas Of
young boys they seated themselves on
the bank and danEied their feet in
the water. oblivious to the danger and
their position.
The river Is now at a comparatively
high stage. and the bank at the point
where the boys were seated desceuds
precipitously being entirely above wa
ter when the river Is at the normal
stage. The boys did mot realize the
danger they were mourning in their
innocent fun. because the bank - so
low that even in the event of an acct
dent II would appear that a safe pos
ition could easily be reached. Exactly
how the awful misfortune was precfp-
hated IL is impossible ID determine.
Whether one of the boys slipped into
the water and dragged his companion
ws.h him. or whether the water soak
ed bank caved in precipitating both
into the yawning river one cannot say.
The fact Of the terribies eatastropne
overshadows any idle speculation aa
to the precise nature of the hapDeu-
ing.
In a moment the boys were missing
from their place on the bank and WE'RE
struggling in the water while their
companions screamed for help. This
brother of Chester Willis found stick.
fortunately convenient and with this
his life was saved.
whelmed with grief at the death of
their boy. The awful suddeness OF the
happening greatly shocked them and
Mrs. Barrett is FRUSTRATED by the mis-
fortuna.
Mr.. Barrett learned of the accident
about $50 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
When approaching home he noticed q
large crowd moving in the direction
of the river. Never for a momeut sus-
pecting the true nature Of the excite-
ment he payed little attention to the
crowd until one OF the small Willis
boys informed him that his child was
dead When the fact of the tragedy
was forced upon his number senses he
was paralyzed with the shock OF
grief almost unbearable.
1t is hoped that the body VIII he
recovered today. The thorough search
will be continued along line OF will
ows that grow in the river at the scene
of the tragedy and II Is thought thar
the body may have lodged among
these. in which case its recovery Is
certain. No chance OF finding the body.
however small. will be neglected.
The residence of Mr.. ana Mrs. Bar
rett was filed with sorroTing friends
for hours Yesterday afternoon ana
night. The sympathy of the entire
community is extended to them In their
misfortune.
Mr.. Barrett is one Of the best known
residents of the city. He Is doorkeep-
err Of the Montgomery Theatre and
also connected with an oil Company
here. The sympathy Of a wide circle
of friends goes to him In his loss