The Washington herald., 1909-06-01

Terrorized by a IRE eating It's way to
ward the gasoline tank Of the launch in
which she vas riding. Mrs. Mae Wood.
twenty-five years old, wife Of Carroll D.
Wood. 500 South Fairfax street, Alex
andria. Va, sought refuge in the water
and was drowned yesterday afternoon Of
Marshall Hail
The flames severely burned Carroll D.
Wood. her husband, about the arm and
neck, and scorched the hair and face OF
Mrs Morgan Moore. 50slL South Fairfax
street. Alexandra
The tragedy came in the course Of q
family party Three couples were in the
launch Tryto-aI-. and Mrs. Wood. 4Ir
and Mrs. Moore, and 9Ir, and Mrs. James
Wells. 4g7 South Washington street They
were close friends and lived in the same
aeighborhood.
Story Of the Accident.
The story Of the accident is the story
that has always struck terror into the
hearts Of all persons upon the water
thai Of sudden and uncomfortable fire.
panic. and frantic efforts that block their
own intention.
story OF the Accident.
The launch w9s returning % AIexan-
dria from trip down The river. when
about a mile below Marshall Hall Il was
noticed that gasoline was escaping from
the tank Morgan Moore, who was oper-
Eting The boat discovered the supplv
was down to about a gallon. Il was de-
cided 10 run in 10 The wharf al Marshall
Han and replenish the supply.
Hardly a mile N the nez direction
had been covered. when flames Uers
seen licking thu edges OF the spilled Oil.
Efforts 10 stamp out the fire were in vain.
y panic took possession Of the women IN
the boat, and communicated itself 70 the
men.
Mrs Wood was the first TO jump ta1o
the water. She was followed almost in
-nediately by Wells and his wife. and by
Morgan Moore. Mrs. Moore attempted
70 jump, but was prevented By Wood.
who was the only one Of the six who
stayed in the boat While Wood was
helping those nearest Jls craft, Morgan
Moore was fighting 70 keep Mrs. Wood
from sinking. In TIE struggle that en-
sued his strength gave out, and Mrs
Wood went down in about thirty feet
OF water
Washington authorities were notified.
and began to drag for the body Il had
not been recovered Al an early hour this
morning
Struggled to Save Her.
\ story OF the struggle for the life Of
Mrs. Wood was related last night BY her
husband 4Ir. Wood, ove-burdened with
trouble at his home. sat with his little
girl three years old, and a son, two years
old. Not realizing the sad fate that
had befaIlen their mother. they laughed
and played while their father recited the
story Of the accident that had robbed
him Of his wife. He gave a graphic de-
sCription OF the gay party that left Alex
andTia at $50 O'Clock IN the morning for
q days outing down the river. All went
vel until the return trip. when the leak
IN the tank containing the gasoline was
discovered.
Immediately following the springing Of
a leak in the tank the little craft took
FIRE Excitement became intense. and the
occupants. most OF whom occupied seats
on the stern of the craft. jumped into
the water AR. Wood said before he
realized what had happened some one
in the party cried Jump and a few
seconds later his wife was overheard.
She was followed by the others.
saw Their PredIesment.
The crew Of a Washington launch upon
seeing the predicament Of the occupants
Of the Tryto went 10 their assistance and
took the entire party 10 Alexandria. The
Tryto was beached after having burned
to the waters edge
News OF the accident was carried to
Alexandra by the crew Of the steamer
Trenton. Many persons called at the
home Of NIr. Wood 70 offer their condo
lences- Mrs. Wood was Miss Arnold
The launch Tryto was a speed launch,
owned by Joseph Moore. OF Alexandria
His son Morgan Moore, was in charge OF
the boat Il was built about two years
agO.