The Ouachita Telegraph - Susan Richardson Drowns

Date: May 2000
Submitted by: Lora Peppers <lpeppers@ouachita.lib.la.us>




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The Ouachita Telegraph
Friday, January 16, 1874
Page 3, Column 1

Sad Death of a Young Woman.
 Mr. John Richardson, the obliging, industrious old man who carries the
mail between Monroe and Columbia, crosses the river at Columbia in a
flat of his own.  The old man had two daughters who assisted him in
managing the flat, who had become expert in the use of the oars.  He was
absent one or two trips, and employed a young fellow named Heath to
carry the mail for him.  Miss Susan Richardson and her sister were
ferrying Heath over, on the 16th of last month.  The flat was partly
ferried across, when Susan's oar-lock broke, and she fell overboard.
Her sister at once caught hold on her dress, but the fabric gave way.
Heath, we are told, offered no assistance, and the poor and dutiful
daughter sank under the flat, and was seen no more.  James Taylor, we
are further told, stood on the bank near a boat, and was implored by
Mrs. Richardson to save her daughter.  Taylor refused, on the ground
that the drowning girl might drown him.  The body of Miss Richardson has
not been recovered.

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