Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1922-07-24
William B. Harper Loses Life
In Shenandoah River When His.
Neck Is Broken While Bathing

William B. Harper, junior mem
Der of the firm O. ". s. Harper and
Son, pharmacists and very we'll
known throughout the section. lost
his life while spending an afternoon
on the water IN the Shenandoah
River east Of Charles Town yeSter
day afternoon.
With a friend he had gone to the
bathing beach arranged there this
year and was diving from a float on
the river Just what happened tic
cause the tragedy probably never
will be determined It is believed.
however, that his foot slipped as he
took off for the dive and that, in
stead OF hitting the surface of tn !
water at an angle for an easy dive.
he Went down perpendicularly after
losing his balance His forehead
was injured by contact with SOM
obstacle and when his body was re-
covered by friends who went TO his
assistance as soon as they saw he
was in trouble It was found that
his neck had been broken Whether
it was broken by impact with the
float or by hitting the bottom is not
known. He did not regain conscious
ness after the tragedy. He was
rushed to the Charles Town Hos
rital and died some fifteen minutes
after reaching it. more than an hour
after the accident
Relatives were advised Of the
tragedy and the body was imme-
diateIy prepared to be brought back
here where it was taken to the home
of his parents. Mr. and Mrs. W. S.
Harper. Public Square, from which
place burial service will be held
Wednesday morning at 1880 with
burial in Green Hill Cemetery. DR..
w c. Taylor. formerly pastor of the
First Baptist Church, now of Blacks
burg. Va, who baptized the deceas.
ed as his first baptism after com
ing 20 the local pastorate, is expect
ed 10 have charge of the service,
assisted by the Reverend J. R. ia
cobs, pastor of the Southern Meth
odist Church The Masons and the
Elks. TO both OF which fraternities.
as we'll as the knights of Pythias,
the deceased belonged, will have a
part in the burial rites.
News of the death of "Bill' Har-
per. as he was popularity and gen
orally known about the city, cast a
distinct pail over the community
when it was reported Yesterday
evening. He had won a wide repu
tation for himself through his bust
ness, social and athletic interests,
and it was generally conceded that
his future. Just opening before him,
Nas promising. lie was an accom-
plished man in the water and by
reason Of his experience and his
ability feared little when enjoying
aquatic sports. The accident, COM
ing with whitening swiftness, only
increased the feeling of regret
which was generally expressed The
deceased. with several of his friends.
had made complete plans to 90 to
his river camp on the Potomac to-
morrow morning for a week as he
has been accustomed to do annually
The deceased was twenty seven
years of age. native of Berkeley
county. He was educated in local
schools and then took an academic
curse at Gettysburg where he was
graduated with the degree of
Bachelor Of Arts, and with special
training in chemistry. With the ex.
ception Of service during the war
when he was associated with the Du-
pont interests in special chemistry
work for the government, he has
been in business with his father on
South Queen street.
Surviving are his parents and