Year: 1879

A LITTLE GIRLS SUDDEN DEATH WHILE PLAY


CAPE OF A COMPANION.


There is mourning in the home Of Mr.. James
Reese in Harlem the death OF young and much
loved daughter. The circumstances connected with
the misfortune peculiarly sad. Mr.. Reese lives
at No. 12S 10th street. between Lexington and
Fourth avenues and Immediately opposite his house
large excavations have been made for the founda-
tions Of buildings in course Of erection. These
cavations are and have been entirely unguarded by
fence rope. and the children of the neighborhood,
who quite numerous, have been accustomed to
play about the open lots. At the the dirt re-
moved from the cellars had been heaped up to a
height of about twelve feet The upper part of this
is soft and loamy and covered with loose
sand and gravel to a depth Of about six
and q half inches. Subsequently some dirt
on the side of the heap toward 10th street
was removed. but instead Of being taken from the
top, even IN such manner that there would be
lett perpendicular cut. it scooped out from the
bottom first and inwardly. that the upper part
overhung the lower. This noticed and COM
mented upon by many of the neighbors. four or i've
OF whom have been in the habit for many years of
crossing the lots where the houses building to
reach the rear entrances Of their dwellings. One lady,
whose yard is separated by fence from the spot
where the accident took place. forbade her children
from going to their usual play ground. because she
feared the very thing which happened





On Wednesday, at about half-past six in the even
Ing Mr.. Reese was sitting at the supper table with
his little daughters near him. The elder. Lille who
twelve and half years of age. asked il she could
go out and play in the lots. Mr.. Reese at first
fused saying that she ought to stay indoors and
help her mother with her household duties. The
latter, however. said that she had been such very
good girl during the day that she might play for
while. During the ensuing half hour Mr.. Reese
Lille several times. and about oclock she
arranging some tricks in mimic architecture in
front of Mr. John Lambs house the opposite side
of the street. Mr.. Reese then went down into the
cellar. and few moments afterward heard the
dreadful cry that Lille was buried in the sand. He
rushed out OF his house and to the spot, where q
crowd was gathering. Neighbors hurried forth and
with every available implement within reach began
TO dig up the earth which hid the child from sight


Lille. In company with Amy White q neghbor's
daughter. aged six years. had been playing
only about three minutes in the hollow
under the cmbankment when it suddenly gave
way. Amy, who attempted to escape by running,
was buried up to her. chin. and Lille. who had
been sitting OH the ground. was completely
covered. When Amy's screams drew people to
the fate of her older companion. and some time
elapsed before she exclaimed that Lille must
he buried out of sight Then it that the father
heard the alarm aud that the digging resumed
with frantic haste Had the full extent of the acci-
dent been known at first there is possibility
that no lite would have beon lost The work of ex-
agonzed father urging It forward with trembling
voice. Men were despatched for medical aid The
little body was stl warm, but life extinct Mr.
Reese took his daughter in his arms and called her
name N pitcous accents. Mrs. Reese frantic
with grief. The childish face OF the corpse
fectly lfeike. and no bruises could be found upon
any part OF the body although there stones in
the gravel which fell Drs smith, Cox and Neil were
quickly in attendance, but their utmost efforts were
unavailing to restore life. The dead child was q
granddaughter of exCongressman Reese. of Reese
vile. in Northern New York. She was remarkably
intelligent ana idolzed by her parents. The
funeral will take place Tomorrow.