The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-05-26
TRAGIC DROW Ming
AT SOUTH BEACH.
Mrs. w. D. Shields and Mrs.
John Cannon of this City
the Victims.
Party of Seven Caught in Sluice and
all Others had Narrow Escape.

The excursion of PaIatka Red Men to
St. Augustine on Wednesday morning
started out as a happy party of three
coach loads. Ii returned in the evening
Subdued and sadened multitude.
Two lady members of the party were
dead from drowning at the beach, and
five others had narrow escapes from the
same kind of death.
The dead are Mrs. w. D. Shields and
Mrs. John Cannon.
Mrs. William Potts, a sister OF Mrs.
Shields, was resuScitated only after
working over her more than an hour.
The tragedy of the drowning as told
by Mr.. w. A. Hicks, superintendent OF
the Palatka Telephone Co., who was
one of the party, is as follows:
About 2:30 in the afternoon a party
of excurSionists went over to South
Beach. Mrs. Shields, Mrs. Cannon, Mrs.
Potts, Mrs. A. T. Squier, jr., John Can
non, Geo. Wilkinson of East Palatka
and myself formed party who kept to-
gether and went out about 100 yards
from the beach. The tide was out and
we were never in deep water. From
this point we worked ourselves, all
keeping together, for about quarter of
a mile north. From here Mrs. Squier
expressed desire TO go to shore and we
all started, hand in hand, and ignorant
of the fact that between US and the
beach was Sluice some Is feet deep.
When we reached this Sluice all went
in and down, many of the party losing
control of themselves. When we went
into the Sluice | had hold of Mrs
Squier'S hand, and as we went down she
grabbed me around the neck When
we came up told her to let go and
place her hand on my shoulder and
would save her In this way we made
toward the shore. When we had again
reached shallow water and where Mrs.
Squire could stand, was so exhausted
that collapsed, and Mrs. Squire had 10
drag me TO the shore. Ii took me sew
cral moments TO recover from the ex-
hauStion, and when | again looked out
in the water | saw the forms of the three
the ladies floating. John Cannon man
aged 10 get TO the Pavilion, greatly ex-
hauSted.
There were several of the excursion
lists on the beach who saw our plight,
among them being Thos. Squire, ir.,
and w. d. Shields. They threw their
coats and went in, Mr.. Shields bringing
in his wife, and Mr.. Squire securing
Mrs. Cannon. Mr.. Wilkinson who was
of the bathing party brought in Mrs.
Potts. All three of these ladies were
apparently dead, but all went at the
work of resusctation, working over each
for more than an hour, when Mrs. Potts
alone showed signs of life. Mrs. Shields
and Mrs. Cannon were worked over
much longer, but they were evidently
beyond power of human aid. )"
Their bodies were turned over to an
undertaken and that of Mrs. Shields was
brought home on the excursion train.
The body of Mrs. Cannon, accompanied
by her husband, was brought 10 Palatb
next day.
Mrs. Potts was taken TO the hospital
where she continues to improve.
Mrs. w. D. Shields was formerly Miss
Clara, daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. K. c.
Rciifenberg of this city, and besides her
parents and husband she is survived by
several sisters, among whom are Mrs.
Harry Carmen, Mrs. John McWaters,
and Mrs William Potts The funeral
of Mrs. Shields waa held at her late
home yesterday afternoon and was con.
Quoted By'Rev. P. Q. CaSon of the Bap-
list church. There were many floral
tributes from mourning friends. The
interment, conducted by Undertaken
Mooney, was in Oak Hill.
The body of Mrs. Cannon, accompa-
MED by her husband, arrived at noon on
Thursday and was taken TO ST. Marks
church, from which the funeral, con-
Quoted by Rev. VIM. Wyllie, was held
At 2:3O p. m. The interment was in
West View.
Mrs. Cannon, who was the niece OF
Mrs. Howell A. Davis, had only re-
turned last week from a visit to her |
alher's home in Massachusetts,. She |
VAS before her marriage TO Mr.. Cannon,
Miss Ethel LeRoc.
The families of the deceased request
he News to thank the many friends for
heir kindness TO them Tn their bereave.
nent