Last Saturday afternoon Edward Cox and Charles Howard, two young men from Kearneysville, aged 20 and 17 yeas, respectively, were drowned in the Potomac river near the residence of James W. Engle, at Rattling Springs. The two young men got off a train at the Old Furnace and attempted to skate to the Virginia Ore Bank. When about half way there, in a lonely section, the broke through the ice. They were seen by Michael Kidwiler, who was about a half a mile away, and were fighting the ice frantically in an effort to save their lives. Mr. Kidwiler ran to their assistance, but before he could reach the place they had sunk, only their hats remaining on the surface of the water. They had made desperate efforts to save themselves, having broken the ice fifteen or twenty feet towards the shore. Geo W. Moler and his son and Caroll Engle were notified by Mr. Kidwiler, and they hauled a boat to the place and launched it, breaking the ice to the point where the bodies had last been seen, some fifty yards from shore. With boat hooks Mr. Moler raised the bodies, which were taken ashore. They were afterward taken to Harper’s Ferry, prepared for burial, and then sent to Kearneysville. The funeral service was held in the Reformed church at Kearneysville on Monday, and was conducted by Rev. Geo. G. Everhart, assisted by Rev. H. H. Kennedy. The bodies were interred side by side in Elmwood Cemetery, Shepherdstown. The funeral was attended by an immense throng of people.
Both of the young men were well-known residents of Kearneysville, and worked in the stone quarries at that place. They were industrious and of excellent character, and their sad death has caused much regret in the community.
