Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1915-06-10
The Sad Drowning Of Roy staIey.

| COunt VI tiiC oIOWuipS vi MY Ldheio
Staley, son of Mr.. James P. Staley, which
occurred about noon on Thursday. The
sad affair occurred aftera part of ouredition
had been printed, and as we were unable
at that time to give the details of the dis
tressing occurrence, we now relate the
particulars.
The young man, who was q years, 10
months and days old, and who lived a
short distance east of town, had gone
down the river road to watch the flood
in the Potomac. stopping at John w.
MitcheIl's place. One Of Mr.. Mitchell's
chickens was marooned on fence, and
he had boat in which he thought he
would row to the place and get 1t. Roy
got in the boat with him, as did Freel
Daniels also. The boat began to leak,
and Mr.. Daniels got out and stood on a
fence. The two men continued down the
stream, keeping within Mr.. Mitchell's
lot, where there seemed no particular DAN
ger and where the water was smooth.
When they got 10 the end of the lot a
pile of drift against the fence had DETECTED
the current. causing it to shoot swiftly
out toward the river. The boat was car
ried against a couple of small trees at the
edge of a swift and dangerous looking
current, and they were unable to manage
il. In trying to hold it back the water
began to pour into the boat, and in an
other moment il sank beneath them. This
occurred short distance below Mr..
Mitchell's home, in the public road, where
the water was perhaps six feet deep and
very swift. Both men were submerged
in the rushing water. They came up and
Mr.. Mitchell was carried to pile OF DRIFT
that had lodged against some trees, but
Roy sank again, to be seen alive no more.
Mr.. Mitchell was almost done for, but he
held on to the drift until il began to give
way, when he managed to find temporary
safety in tree. His calls for help soon
brought assistance, and Samuel Muck and
several others got boat and went 10 the
scene. Mr.. Muck Unanswered the boat
to the exhausted man at considerable
peril, and rescued him from his danger
Gus position. The ordeal was trying
one for Mr.. Mitchell, and he was very
nervous for time.
Word ofthe drowning was soon brought
to town, and number OF persons imme-
diately went TO the scene. The turbulent
waters, still rising, made any effort to
recover the body impractical, and it was
not until Saturday, when the waters had
receded, that it could be searched for.
Saturday afternoon number OF persons
sought to find it, and Walter Cation and
]. w. and Elmer Marshall were the first
to observe it. They noticed a partly
submerged coat at the edge of the water,
and The body was thus located. 1t was
held down by piece of driftwood, and
was only few yards from the place
where the boat had capsized.
Ii is said that there was no water in
the lungs, indicating that the shock and
the knowledge of the danger had caused
death before the young man had sunk
beneath the water. The body, which was
in good condition, was taken in charge
by Undertaken Terrell, who embalmed ii
and prepared if for burial.
The funeral service was held Sunday
afternoon in the Reformed Church, o.
which Roy had been member, and was
conducted by his pastor. Rev. Guy P.
Bready. twas one of the largest funerals
ever known here, the church being filled
to its utmost capacity while hundred or
more persons were unable TO gain admit
lance. Members of RoY's Sunday school
class carried beautiful floral tributes, oil
which there was the greatest profu sion.
The body was buried in the cemetery adj
joining the church.
Roy Staley was one OF the best young
men in our community. Ofquiet m9nner
and gentle behavior, exemplary in his
conduct and the best of habits, lie was
esteemed by all who knew him. Only
good could be spoken Of him. His sad
death has brought grief not only to his
own family, but many friends sorrow that
he has been cut off just as he had enter
ed manhood's estate. He is survived
by his father, and his devoted step-moth-
er; a brother, Lester Staley sister, Mrs.
VIM. A. Tabler, of Baltimore; a step
brother. Walter Staley, and step-sister,
Mrs. Walter Cation, OF this vicinity.
A distressing incident OF the affair was
the fact that Mr.. Staley, RoyS father, was
away from home when the drowning oc-
Cured. He had gone to Richmond TO
attend the Confederate reunion, and did
not learn of the death of his son until he
had gotten to Berryville, where his son
Lester met him on the train. The shock
was terrible one when he was told the
sad news. His friends extend to him
and to the other members OF the family
great sympathy in this time OF afillction.
At Richmond.
Messrs. John P. Kearfott, Jos. B. Van
Metre and Mayberry Mckee, three old
Confederates from this neighborhood who
attended the reunion in Richmond, Va,
last week, made a pilgrimage to the ia
nous Yellow Tavern, six or eight miles
out from the city, while they were enjoy
ing the reunion. They readily recognized
the spot where they had a terrific fight,
as members of Company B, First Viz
ginia Cavalry, on May II, 1864, with an
overwhelming force of cavalry under
General Sheridan. II was in this en-
gagement that Gen. ]. E. B. Stuart, the
daring and dashing Confederate cavalry
man, was killed, and Captain Kirk Ham,
IL