The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-08-04
LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE IN
BATHING IN THE WATERS
OF SAVANNAH RIVER
Gave His Life
To Save Another
William McKelvey, Seeing Friends in
Danger, Lost his Own Life in Try
ing to Rescue Them from Swift
Current.

On last Friday afternoon, at about
seven o'clock, Calhoun Cason, of
Abbeville, and William McCelvey, of
Mt. Carmel, lost their lives in the
Savannah River, at Wildwood.
Nrs. J. L. Perrin was chaperoning
a party of young people at this popu-
lar resort for summer visitors. The
young people had been enjoying
themselves there for. several days.
The time passed pleasantly until the
sad occurrence Friday. Late in the
afternoon, party of the young peo-
pie consisting of the Misses Perrin,
Julian Wilkinson, G. A. Neuffer, Jr.,
Calhoun Cason and John Perrin put
on their bathing suits and went in
the river to enjoy the water. The
place where they all were, was sup
posed to, be shallow and entirely
safe. But without warning, and in
less time than it takes to tell it, Miss
Mary Perrin and Calhoun Cason had
fallen into a deep hole, where they
were taken up by, the strong current
of the river and carried down..
Julian Wilkinson is an expert
swimmer. He swan below the
point where Miss Perrin went down
and caught her under the water.
Towing ner by her hair, he swan
forty feet against the current of the
river and brought her safely to the
bank. Gottlob Neuffer undertook
to save young Cason and held to him
until he was himself carried under
+ twice when he was forced to abandon
him to his fate. -.
Young William McCelvey was sit
ting on the bank when the young
people went under. Without wait
ing to undress, or to. take any. pre-
cautions for his own safety, he jump
ed into the stream to assist them, but
the current was too strong for him,
and he went to his death.
The. body of Mr., McCelvey was
soon recovered, but a large party
dragged the river until six o'clock
the next morning before Mr.. Cason's
body. could be located. His. body
was brought to Abbeville as soon as
recovered and after being prepared
for burial, was taken to the home of
his grandmother, Mrs. Fannie Mar
shall.
The funeral services were neld at
the Episcopal church on Sunday
morning at 10 o'clock and his body
laid to rest in Long Cane cemetery.
He was buried with Masonic honors.
MIR. Cascn was young man, only
about twenty-five years of age. When
quite "a boy he commenced work in
the post office under the then post
master, Robt. S. Link. He has been
at the post-office since that time, hay
ing come into a regular position
through the civil service. He was a
young man of steady habits, highly
regarded, and very popular with the
young people of the city. Mr.. Cason's
father was the late Samuel C. Cason,
of the Abbeville bar, and his mother,
who is still living, was, before her
marriage, Miss Lizzie Marshall. On
the death OF his father. Mr.. .Cason
became the mainstay of his mother
in helping her along, in caring for his
younger brother and sister. His
death was a great shock to to the
town.,
Mr.. McCelvey was son Of Mr..
and Mrs. Pat McCelvey, of Mt. Car
mel. His mother was Miss Mars,
of this county. He was about thir-
ty years of age. His untimely
death is the source of great sorrow
to his friends, but there should be
consolation in the contemplation
that he laid down his life that an
other might live, and counted not the
cost.