The sea coast echo. [volume] (Bay Saint Louis, Miss.) 1892-current, 1908-06-13

effort to jump overheard, but was pre-
vented by the collegians who knew not
how to swim and who had remained on
board.
After those who had been rescued
were attended to, the loss sustained was
realized, and upon the return of siiff
that had gone to another part of the
island, in charge of Capt. 1ldebrand Bri-
ghanti, search for the bodies was i'm
mediately instituted, oyster tongs being
the means employed. Inthe meantime,
it was discovered that the "Nfizpah"
had struck another bar, harder aground
than the first time, and remained fast
all night until relieved the following
morning by rise in the tide. This ac-
counts for the tardy return of the party
The search for the bodies was imme-
diately and diligently begun, and three
hours after the drowning the body of
Brother Clement was brought to the
surface, yet warm. Every effort to
resuscitate was made for nearly an
hour, but the last spark of life had fled,
and every hope that had leaped into the
human breast when the warmth of the
body had been discovered was shat
tered.
About half hour later the body of
young Wilbert was found, but cold in
death. The accident occurred about
4:3O in the afternoon, and the bodies
we're recovered about dark. A great
lightning and rain storm arose after the
bodies had been recovered, and every
moment it was expected the high wind
would carry away every vestige of sail
and rigging, When the storm subsided
somewhat, an effort was made to bring
the vessel ashore, but to no avail, and
death vigil was kept over night on the
dark and solemn waters, everybody on
board wet from the rain, with no drink
ing water at hand, and not knowing
when the return home could be made.
The night, as dark as Erebus, intensifie ed
! the ordeal all the more, and the incon-
venience of the situation to the corporal
body was accentuated when light but
keen north wind arose and struck those
who were drenched to the very skin.
Elmer Wilbert was but 13 years of
age. He is the son of Joseph Wilbert,
one of the most prominent 1umbermen
| in the South. The lad had been attend
ing the sessions of st. Stanislaus
throughout the year and was just pre-
pairing to return home for the vacation
months, after having passed success
full examination, He was rather small
for his age, but that did not prevent
him from engaging in the sports and
pastimes of his elder companions. He
was the youngest of five brothers and
two sisters.
= The body was prepared for burial by
Tyler's Undertaking Establishment,
and, upon instructions from Mr.. Will
bert, who had been telephoned to dur
ing the morning, the white casket was
shipped to Plaquemine Thursday after
/ noon by way of New Orleans, thence
over the S. P. route for interment in the
family burying ground. ~
Brother Clement was great favorite
among the boys. He was their friend
and companion, and was untiring in his
efforts tomake the boys happy and con-
| tented. Wherever Brother Clement
went he was bound to be accompanied
by some of the boys. He was 40 years
/ of age, and was native of Mobile, Ala.
He has been in the Order since 1888, and
first became connected with the College
Faculty three years ago. He has sew
eral relatives living in different parts of
the country. The news of his death
caused a shock to the residents of Bay
ST. Louis; for he was no stranger to
those who dwell outside of college walls.
The funeral took place from the college
chapel Thursday afternoon at 6 o'clock,
and interment was had in the private
cemetery of the college.
! When Brother Stanislaus and Bro,
Osmond, provincial of the Order, heard
of the sad news, they rose from sick
bed in Mobile, boarded the noon train
on Thursday and reached Bay st. Louis
on the same train that was to bear away
the remains of young Wilbert. Brother
Stanislaus and Brother Isadore accom-
panied the remains to Plaquemine.
The tragic event, deplorable in the
very extreme, will not bear comment.
1t was one of those unforeseen, ineyita-
BILE occurrences that seem improbable.
There is divine Providence whose in
scrutable ways at times are past human
understanding. But since He has de-
creed that such things should come to
pass, and since it is not the will of man
but the will Of Him who ruleth the en- :
tire universe, then it is but fitting that.
though our hearts be filled with grief.
we should bow in humble submission.