Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-06-14
NORMAN WATKINS BROWNS
IN FATAL DIVE FROM BOAT
Eieven-Ycar-Old Soutlside Boy Loses
His Life I'm James
River.
BODY NOT YET RECOVERED
Scene of Accident Is at Joy Water
Camp, Four Miles From City-Of-
fccrs Will Resume Search for
Body To-Day.

Norman Watkins, eleven years old.
the son Of Mrs. Eliza Watkins. Of 500
HUI Street, was drowned in James
River yesterday afternoon about
o'clock near JOY Water Camp, a we'll
known spot on the river bank close to
Stop No. -, of the Richmond and
petersburg Electric Line. County Of
hcer ~. T. Traylor, In company with
Claude Davis. James johnson and sew
eral other men, spent all of the early
night dragging the river in the vicin-
ny ~, IN an effort to locate the body.
Ihey were unsuccessful because of
tho rising tide, the rocks and tho
darkness, but VIII return to the work
this morning.
The boy, who carried route Of
morning papers, left home early vcs-
terday in company with George and
Randolph Moore, of West Thirteenth
street, Walter Shepperson, 81 East
ruth street. and Willie McCronncy, II
Last Fourth Street. in hired boat
consent OF their parents, and intended
going but short distance. II was
said last night. However, they found
that the current made progress easy.
ana continued their trip until near the
scene of the accident.
COMPANIONS BREAK NEWS
TO ANGUISHED MOTHER
1t was not until late yesterday after
noon, when the three other bows re-
turned to South Richmond with tho
clothes of young Watkins that Mrs.
watkins learned of her sons death.
she became historical. and neighbors
and friends found the greatest DIM
Guilty In consoling her.
stories as to the manner in which
watkins was drowned vary, each OF
the boys telling somewhat different
tales. Randolph Moore said that ,he
Ito said that young Watkins took off
MS clothing. and. mounting the rear
seat OF tho rowbont, dived off into tho
river. He disappeared almost inme
aihtely ana did not rcappear At that
tlme the boat was near the shore, and
all OF the boys, with tho execution of
scVen-ycar-o Randolph Moore, were
on the shore. Randolph Moore said he
cried for help to his companion, who
rushed out to him. Walter Shepnerson
dived into the river, in an effort to 10.
cate his friend, where he saw bubbles
rising, and claimed to have caught
mold OF foot, but to have been unable
TO bring the body to the surface.
OFFICERS WORK IN VAIN
TO RECOVER BODY
Clerks from the general Offices OF
the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway were
having an outing near the scene of
the accident and several OF them were
informed Of the drowning by the boys
before they started their return to
Richmond. Several of the men mado
efforts to locate the body. while others
tclephoned the county and city police.
policeman Traylor then hurried to thu
spot and endeavored to recover the
body
The first definite news of the accident
was brought to the city by the BOYS
several hours after tho accident and
after they had rowed up stream and
against the tide, the four or five miles
back to Richmond. Tho Shepperson
boy reported the drowning to his home.
and persons there notified Mrs. Wat
kins Shepperson claimed that Wat
kins was hanging out of the rear of
the boat and trying 10 touch bottom
with his foot when ne slipped In and
went down.
Watkins had been cautioned by his
mother. when he left home yesterday
morning. to deliver his papers and TO
return as quickly as possible lie met
tho other boys. however. and they Sc
cured the boat near Mayo's Bridge be-
tween and o'clock. The spot Mt
which the drowning occurred is cx-
trcmely rocky at points, il is said, while
at others the mud is very thick II is
the belief of those who cndeavored to
recover the body last night that tho
boy dived deep enough TO sink his head
into the mud or to strike his head
against one of the rocky lodges. Tho
river at this point is not swift, and IL
is believed that the body will be re-
covered to-day unless it becomes
loosened and drifts with the current.