Description
“A Negro and a Horse Drowned.” - - On Wednesday afternoon, Platte River at this place being out of its banks, and sweeping with wild fury across the bottom on the opposite side of the Bridge, several narrow escapes from drowning, and one fatal accident occurred. Nearly all crossing, except in skiffs, was suspended, though several persons successfully made the passage on horseback. When the river was at its highest stage, and the water was nearly 5 feet deep, with a swift current, over the turnpike, a negro man named Bruin (no name given), on horseback, attempted to make the passage from the west side of the river. His horse was bridled with a stiff bit and with martingales. The negro was repeatedly warned by persons on this side, not to attempt the passage. He plunged in, however. His horse kept on the turnpike until within 40 yards of the landing place at the end of the Bridge. The current being too swift at this point, horse and rider were swept off the narrow road into the deep waters below. Then came the desperate struggle for life, witnessed by scores of persons, unable to render the slightest assistance. The horse made gallant efforts to reach the shore; but the negro, now frightened out of his wits, managed him so badly that it became evident both would drown. Finally, the negro appeared to get astride the horse’s neck, strangling the noble animal. With a mighty effort he reared up, but the pressure on the bridle was too great and he fell backwards and sank. The negro, then released from his horse, and swiftly borne downwards by the rapid current, rose and sunk several times, and, at last, lifted his body nearly half-way out of the water, waved his hand, and sunk forever. As soon as possible, a skiff was at hand, but it came too late. Of course, the body was not recovered.Date(s) of Creation
7/2/1869
