RESCUER LOSES OWN LIFE
-----
MR. FRED ALEXANDER DROWNED
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Tragedy in the Catawba River Yesterday Afternoon Near Fort Mill, S.C.-Son of Mr. Pharr Alexander Went in Swimming With Two Companions-Young Miller Strong Got Into Dangerous Position and Mr. Alexander Went to His Rescue, Sank and Never Rose-Youth First Engandered Managed to Save Himself-Accident Great Shock to Relatives and Friends of the Alexanders-Search For the Body.
In his efforts to save Miller Strong, the young son of Dr. and Mrs. C.M. Strong from this city, from drowning, Mr. Fred Alexander lost his life in the swift current of the Catawba river yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
A small party, consisting of the Misses Guy, of Chester, S.C.; Mrs. Dr. C.M. Strong, Misses Rob and John Miller and Messrs. Miller Strong, Ray Lee and Fred Alexander, were outing on the Catawba yesterday, the two last-named young men having gone down from the city at noon. Shortly after dinner they went down below the dam about one-quarter of a mile, taking with them young Strong to enjoy the water.
They had been in the water only a short while when the lad waded too far into water and was seemingly in a hazardous position. Mr. Alexander seeing that he was in imminent danger of drowning, immediately went toward him and was himself enveloped by the water. It happened that the boy caught a snag and saved himself until Mr. Lee could reach out his hand to bring him back to safety. In the meantime Mr. Alexander had gone down to the bottom.
The depth of the water at the place where they were swimming is problematical. Being only a short distance below the dam the water at this point is exceedingly swift and the bed of the river is uneven. The party probably slipped unknowingly into a depth upon which they had not speculated.
SEARCH FOR THE BODY
As soon as notification could be sent to the officials of the Southern Power Company at the dam, a search for the body of the drowned young man began. The local officials were notified and they ordered that the Rock Hill station be shut down and that all power be supplied through the Great Falls station some miles below. This coursse was taken in order to drain the river as much as possible for the search. A great crowd gathered and began the tedious work. At sundown a message came to friends in the city that no trace of the body had at that time been found and it looked as if the search would necessarily proling itself into the night.
Later came the tidings of the finding of the body of the young man a short distance below the dam. The recovery was made about 6 o'clock. The remains were then taken to the home of Mr. Alexander. The party was expected to arrive there at 1 o'clock this morning. At midnight arrangements for the funeral had not been made, but it was supposed that this would be held some time to-day.
MR. ALEXANDER A POOR SWIMMER
Intimate friends of the young man declared after being informed of the tragedy that he was a very poor swimmer. They took the view that he would have ventured into deep water only in the event that he could be of service in saving a friend, which was precisely the case. Mr. Lee, who was with him all the while, is a much better swimmer, but Mr. Alexander went beyond his aid in his attempt to rescue Miller Strong from his threatening death.
PARENTS NOTIFIED
Mr. Pharr Alexander, who lives on the Providence road, is the father of the drowned man. He spent yesterday in the city, together with two of his younger boys. When the sad tidings came of the unfortunate end of his son, friends made an effort to get Mr. Alexander to his home before informing him of the tragedy. He left the city with Mr. Walter S. Pharr about 5 o'clock and arrangements were made to notify him and Mrs. Alexander after he had reached his home. Both the younger boys were notified and a daughter, Miss Ola Alexander, heard the news from a stranger as he entered the store of the Stone-Barringer Company, where she is employed. She immediately put on her hat and left the store.
A PROMINENT YOUNG MAN
Mr. Alexander was one of the most prominent young men of the Sharon neighborhood, in which he was born and reared. he was aged about 22 years, and had been a student at the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Raleigh. Later he spent some of his time with the Southern Power Company, but was not employed by this concern at the time of his death. He is well known in the city, where he generally spent the summer months engaged in various duties. The terrible intelligence of his untimely end spread with great rapidity over the city, many of his friends from the country being here yesterday. Univeral sorrow was expressed as well as sympathy for the stricken family.
Charlotte Observer
08.16.1908
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MR. FRED ALEXANDER DROWNED
-----
Tragedy in the Catawba River Yesterday Afternoon Near Fort Mill, S.C.-Son of Mr. Pharr Alexander Went in Swimming With Two Companions-Young Miller Strong Got Into Dangerous Position and Mr. Alexander Went to His Rescue, Sank and Never Rose-Youth First Engandered Managed to Save Himself-Accident Great Shock to Relatives and Friends of the Alexanders-Search For the Body.
In his efforts to save Miller Strong, the young son of Dr. and Mrs. C.M. Strong from this city, from drowning, Mr. Fred Alexander lost his life in the swift current of the Catawba river yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
A small party, consisting of the Misses Guy, of Chester, S.C.; Mrs. Dr. C.M. Strong, Misses Rob and John Miller and Messrs. Miller Strong, Ray Lee and Fred Alexander, were outing on the Catawba yesterday, the two last-named young men having gone down from the city at noon. Shortly after dinner they went down below the dam about one-quarter of a mile, taking with them young Strong to enjoy the water.
They had been in the water only a short while when the lad waded too far into water and was seemingly in a hazardous position. Mr. Alexander seeing that he was in imminent danger of drowning, immediately went toward him and was himself enveloped by the water. It happened that the boy caught a snag and saved himself until Mr. Lee could reach out his hand to bring him back to safety. In the meantime Mr. Alexander had gone down to the bottom.
The depth of the water at the place where they were swimming is problematical. Being only a short distance below the dam the water at this point is exceedingly swift and the bed of the river is uneven. The party probably slipped unknowingly into a depth upon which they had not speculated.
SEARCH FOR THE BODY
As soon as notification could be sent to the officials of the Southern Power Company at the dam, a search for the body of the drowned young man began. The local officials were notified and they ordered that the Rock Hill station be shut down and that all power be supplied through the Great Falls station some miles below. This coursse was taken in order to drain the river as much as possible for the search. A great crowd gathered and began the tedious work. At sundown a message came to friends in the city that no trace of the body had at that time been found and it looked as if the search would necessarily proling itself into the night.
Later came the tidings of the finding of the body of the young man a short distance below the dam. The recovery was made about 6 o'clock. The remains were then taken to the home of Mr. Alexander. The party was expected to arrive there at 1 o'clock this morning. At midnight arrangements for the funeral had not been made, but it was supposed that this would be held some time to-day.
MR. ALEXANDER A POOR SWIMMER
Intimate friends of the young man declared after being informed of the tragedy that he was a very poor swimmer. They took the view that he would have ventured into deep water only in the event that he could be of service in saving a friend, which was precisely the case. Mr. Lee, who was with him all the while, is a much better swimmer, but Mr. Alexander went beyond his aid in his attempt to rescue Miller Strong from his threatening death.
PARENTS NOTIFIED
Mr. Pharr Alexander, who lives on the Providence road, is the father of the drowned man. He spent yesterday in the city, together with two of his younger boys. When the sad tidings came of the unfortunate end of his son, friends made an effort to get Mr. Alexander to his home before informing him of the tragedy. He left the city with Mr. Walter S. Pharr about 5 o'clock and arrangements were made to notify him and Mrs. Alexander after he had reached his home. Both the younger boys were notified and a daughter, Miss Ola Alexander, heard the news from a stranger as he entered the store of the Stone-Barringer Company, where she is employed. She immediately put on her hat and left the store.
A PROMINENT YOUNG MAN
Mr. Alexander was one of the most prominent young men of the Sharon neighborhood, in which he was born and reared. he was aged about 22 years, and had been a student at the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Raleigh. Later he spent some of his time with the Southern Power Company, but was not employed by this concern at the time of his death. He is well known in the city, where he generally spent the summer months engaged in various duties. The terrible intelligence of his untimely end spread with great rapidity over the city, many of his friends from the country being here yesterday. Univeral sorrow was expressed as well as sympathy for the stricken family.
Charlotte Observer
08.16.1908
RESCUER LOSES OWN LIFE
-----
MR. FRED ALEXANDER DROWNED
-----
Tragedy in the Catawba River Yesterday Afternoon Near Fort Mill, S.C.-Son of Mr. Pharr Alexander Went in Swimming With Two Companions-Young Miller Strong Got Into Dangerous Position and Mr. Alexander Went to His Rescue, Sank and Never Rose-Youth First Engandered Managed to Save Himself-Accident Great Shock to Relatives and Friends of the Alexanders-Search For the Body.
In his efforts to save Miller Strong, the young son of Dr. and Mrs. C.M. Strong from this city, from drowning, Mr. Fred Alexander lost his life in the swift current of the Catawba river yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
A small party, consisting of the Misses Guy, of Chester, S.C.; Mrs. Dr. C.M. Strong, Misses Rob and John Miller and Messrs. Miller Strong, Ray Lee and Fred Alexander, were outing on the Catawba yesterday, the two last-named young men having gone down from the city at noon. Shortly after dinner they went down below the dam about one-quarter of a mile, taking with them young Strong to enjoy the water.
They had been in the water only a short while when the lad waded too far into water and was seemingly in a hazardous position. Mr. Alexander seeing that he was in imminent danger of drowning, immediately went toward him and was himself enveloped by the water. It happened that the boy caught a snag and saved himself until Mr. Lee could reach out his hand to bring him back to safety. In the meantime Mr. Alexander had gone down to the bottom.
The depth of the water at the place where they were swimming is problematical. Being only a short distance below the dam the water at this point is exceedingly swift and the bed of the river is uneven. The party probably slipped unknowingly into a depth upon which they had not speculated.
SEARCH FOR THE BODY
As soon as notification could be sent to the officials of the Southern Power Company at the dam, a search for the body of the drowned young man began. The local officials were notified and they ordered that the Rock Hill station be shut down and that all power be supplied through the Great Falls station some miles below. This coursse was taken in order to drain the river as much as possible for the search. A great crowd gathered and began the tedious work. At sundown a message came to friends in the city that no trace of the body had at that time been found and it looked as if the search would necessarily proling itself into the night.
Later came the tidings of the finding of the body of the young man a short distance below the dam. The recovery was made about 6 o'clock. The remains were then taken to the home of Mr. Alexander. The party was expected to arrive there at 1 o'clock this morning. At midnight arrangements for the funeral had not been made, but it was supposed that this would be held some time to-day.
MR. ALEXANDER A POOR SWIMMER
Intimate friends of the young man declared after being informed of the tragedy that he was a very poor swimmer. They took the view that he would have ventured into deep water only in the event that he could be of service in saving a friend, which was precisely the case. Mr. Lee, who was with him all the while, is a much better swimmer, but Mr. Alexander went beyond his aid in his attempt to rescue Miller Strong from his threatening death.
PARENTS NOTIFIED
Mr. Pharr Alexander, who lives on the Providence road, is the father of the drowned man. He spent yesterday in the city, together with two of his younger boys. When the sad tidings came of the unfortunate end of his son, friends made an effort to get Mr. Alexander to his home before informing him of the tragedy. He left the city with Mr. Walter S. Pharr about 5 o'clock and arrangements were made to notify him and Mrs. Alexander after he had reached his home. Both the younger boys were notified and a daughter, Miss Ola Alexander, heard the news from a stranger as he entered the store of the Stone-Barringer Company, where she is employed. She immediately put on her hat and left the store.
A PROMINENT YOUNG MAN
Mr. Alexander was one of the most prominent young men of the Sharon neighborhood, in which he was born and reared. he was aged about 22 years, and had been a student at the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Raleigh. Later he spent some of his time with the Southern Power Company, but was not employed by this concern at the time of his death. He is well known in the city, where he generally spent the summer months engaged in various duties. The terrible intelligence of his untimely end spread with great rapidity over the city, many of his friends from the country being here yesterday. Univeral sorrow was expressed as well as sympathy for the stricken family.
Charlotte Observer
08.16.1908
-----
MR. FRED ALEXANDER DROWNED
-----
Tragedy in the Catawba River Yesterday Afternoon Near Fort Mill, S.C.-Son of Mr. Pharr Alexander Went in Swimming With Two Companions-Young Miller Strong Got Into Dangerous Position and Mr. Alexander Went to His Rescue, Sank and Never Rose-Youth First Engandered Managed to Save Himself-Accident Great Shock to Relatives and Friends of the Alexanders-Search For the Body.
In his efforts to save Miller Strong, the young son of Dr. and Mrs. C.M. Strong from this city, from drowning, Mr. Fred Alexander lost his life in the swift current of the Catawba river yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock.
A small party, consisting of the Misses Guy, of Chester, S.C.; Mrs. Dr. C.M. Strong, Misses Rob and John Miller and Messrs. Miller Strong, Ray Lee and Fred Alexander, were outing on the Catawba yesterday, the two last-named young men having gone down from the city at noon. Shortly after dinner they went down below the dam about one-quarter of a mile, taking with them young Strong to enjoy the water.
They had been in the water only a short while when the lad waded too far into water and was seemingly in a hazardous position. Mr. Alexander seeing that he was in imminent danger of drowning, immediately went toward him and was himself enveloped by the water. It happened that the boy caught a snag and saved himself until Mr. Lee could reach out his hand to bring him back to safety. In the meantime Mr. Alexander had gone down to the bottom.
The depth of the water at the place where they were swimming is problematical. Being only a short distance below the dam the water at this point is exceedingly swift and the bed of the river is uneven. The party probably slipped unknowingly into a depth upon which they had not speculated.
SEARCH FOR THE BODY
As soon as notification could be sent to the officials of the Southern Power Company at the dam, a search for the body of the drowned young man began. The local officials were notified and they ordered that the Rock Hill station be shut down and that all power be supplied through the Great Falls station some miles below. This coursse was taken in order to drain the river as much as possible for the search. A great crowd gathered and began the tedious work. At sundown a message came to friends in the city that no trace of the body had at that time been found and it looked as if the search would necessarily proling itself into the night.
Later came the tidings of the finding of the body of the young man a short distance below the dam. The recovery was made about 6 o'clock. The remains were then taken to the home of Mr. Alexander. The party was expected to arrive there at 1 o'clock this morning. At midnight arrangements for the funeral had not been made, but it was supposed that this would be held some time to-day.
MR. ALEXANDER A POOR SWIMMER
Intimate friends of the young man declared after being informed of the tragedy that he was a very poor swimmer. They took the view that he would have ventured into deep water only in the event that he could be of service in saving a friend, which was precisely the case. Mr. Lee, who was with him all the while, is a much better swimmer, but Mr. Alexander went beyond his aid in his attempt to rescue Miller Strong from his threatening death.
PARENTS NOTIFIED
Mr. Pharr Alexander, who lives on the Providence road, is the father of the drowned man. He spent yesterday in the city, together with two of his younger boys. When the sad tidings came of the unfortunate end of his son, friends made an effort to get Mr. Alexander to his home before informing him of the tragedy. He left the city with Mr. Walter S. Pharr about 5 o'clock and arrangements were made to notify him and Mrs. Alexander after he had reached his home. Both the younger boys were notified and a daughter, Miss Ola Alexander, heard the news from a stranger as he entered the store of the Stone-Barringer Company, where she is employed. She immediately put on her hat and left the store.
A PROMINENT YOUNG MAN
Mr. Alexander was one of the most prominent young men of the Sharon neighborhood, in which he was born and reared. he was aged about 22 years, and had been a student at the Agricultural and Mechanical College at Raleigh. Later he spent some of his time with the Southern Power Company, but was not employed by this concern at the time of his death. He is well known in the city, where he generally spent the summer months engaged in various duties. The terrible intelligence of his untimely end spread with great rapidity over the city, many of his friends from the country being here yesterday. Univeral sorrow was expressed as well as sympathy for the stricken family.
Charlotte Observer
08.16.1908
Inscription
Son of C.P. & M.J. Alexander
Drowned
He gave his life to save a friend.
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