The Washington herald., 1910-08-26
BODY OF TAGGART
COMING TO CAPITAL
Recovered Near Drowning
Spot at Colonial Beach.
GRIEF-STRICKEN PARTY BACK
Small Group of Friends Meet Them
on Return from Resort Where
Popular Young Man Met Heroic
Death-HIs Brother Gives First Ae-
curate Details of Bathing Tragedy.

After dragging the river for twenty
four hours, the body OF Courtney Tag
CART. who was drowned Wednesday at
Colonial Beach. Va. while rescuing two
young women Of his bathing party. was
recovered at II 20 O'Clock yesterday morn
ing a short distance from the spot where
he sank. The body will arrive in Wash
ington at o'clock this morning on the
steamer Capital City. Il was stated at
Mr.. Taggart,s home. 9O3 French street
northwest. last night that no funeral ar
rangements have been made.
a small group Of friends and members
OF the Belmont Club. OF which young Mr.
Taggart was a prominent member, met
the sorrowfuI party, which arrived on the
Queen Anne last night at II O'Clock
stopping only % speak hurriedly with
their friends. the party. consisting OF c.
3. Taggart. brother Of the young man;
Mr. and Mrs W. F. Kelley, Miss Edna
Thomas. hancee OF Mr.. Taggart, and Mr..
and Mrs Thomas. went straight 70 their
homes.
Yesterday morning seven men went out
in two row boats, joined by a sixty-fOOt
rope. 10 which were attached thirty large
hooks. After dragging for ten minutes,
the body was recovered about twenty feet
from the scene OF the accident There
were no signs OF mutilation on the body
except for a few scratches about the
eyes
Men Who Found Body.
The men who found the body were c.
T Jackson and c. p. Wilkerson, OF
Colonial Beach; H. NJ King, Falls
Church. Va; G. T. Jones, Hyattsvnle.
Nd: A. w May. c. II. May. and ". ].
Mackenzie. Of Washington.
Giles B. Taggart special attorney in
the Bureau Of Corporations of the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor,
reached Colonial Beach yesterday after
noon al O'Clock on the Queen Anne to
take charge OF the body An inquest
was held and a verdict Of accidental
death issued by the coroner, after which
the body was embalmed at Fitzhugh's s
undertaking establishment.
Courtney met his death while rescuing
his two girl friends. who got out beyond
their depth" said Mr. G. B. Taggart, on
his return lass night After an almost
superhuman effort, he succeeded in help
ing Miss Lena Thomas into the shallow
water. and then tried to save Miss Cora
Thomas. her sister, while under water
himself.
Several persons passed in a sailhoat.
ard laughed at Miss COras cries for help,
not realizing the situation. He kept her
body afioat and as he went down for
the second time &c had the presence OF
mind TO push her toward the shore, which
placed her oGt Of danger. He was too
exhausted 10 struggle any longer, and
sank
Small Boys Give Aid.
Two small boys. named Jerry Spauld-
ing and Jerry Berve who were rowing
near by. helped Miss Cora and Mr.. Kelley.
who had swan after the girls canoe. into
their row boat and took them. 10 shore" &"
Mr.. Taggart expressed indignation at
the way things are managed at Colonial
Beach. especially at that point where
the shore Is very treacherous. There
are two channels. he said, neither Of
them being marked 20 warn bathers.
When HIS brother met his death the
party was out in shallow water, and sud
denly went over their heads without an
instant's warning Upon reEaining shall
low water again. they struck the second
channel and again went over their heads.
Along all the swimming portion Of the
beach, Mr.. Taggart said, there is not a
danger sign or buoy TO warn swimmers
OF the peril. and any one not familiar
with the water takes his life into his own
hands If the channels had been properly
marked, he declared, the accident would
not have occurred.
William S. Taggart. the young man s
father. who is dangerously Ill at his home
with infammatory rheumatism, has stood
the shock welI and was reported resting
comfortably last night His mother, who
is prostrated with the sad news. is also
keeping her strength.
Popular Excursion, Baltimore 4 Ohio
r.. r., August IS.