HONEYMOON TRAGEDY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XL, Issue 7091, 27 August 1901, Page 4

HONEYMOON TRAGEDY.

YOUNG--AMEEICA;N,:BRipE .. .DROWNED, AT STRATFORD; .'..•'

A young married lady, Edith Lydiar Wedge, 17. years; of age; wife of Miv William S. Wedge,?;an American; wasdrowned at Stratford-on-Avon afew days ago under sad circumstances'. -.Mr and Mrs Wedge were spending their honeymoon at Stratford, where they hadbeen stayingfor abouta fortnight. The' coupe went on the river between four arid five i o'clock in the; morning,,- and while the •lady was standing up in the boat she lost her balance and fell into the water. -; Mr .Wedge threw an par to his wife, and leaped into the water, making a desperate effort to save; her; but .being an imperfect swimmeiY and there being ) rib assistance at hand, his attoropt was unsuccessful; and he himself had a narrow escape.' The couple were married in London only ten weeks ago, and hadengagedtheboat for a fortnight, and spent every morning: and ovening upon the river. Mr Wedge, who is between4o and 50 years of age, hroke his leg abouta raonth ago, and the injury naturally impeded his efforts to save-his wife. ; He, however, plunged into the water a number of times.and .only discontinued his efforts when completely exhausted. An hour later he was found on the bank of the river in his wet clothes, completely "exhausted and prostrated withgrief.: ':;':_; ' ■:'• "'••'" :r:-'"-At the inquest the husband, a commercial traveller for the Interactional Health Association, stated ■ that he was married at St. Catherine's Church, Leytonston, Essex, on April 30. Deceased's maiden name was Hoy; He had known: her a year previous to the "marriage. They had been. staying at Stratfbrd-bn-Avon.''. At four a.m. they: went iora row up the river. : Mrs Wedge rose in the boat to change her position, overbalanced," and fell into the. stream. He threw an oar out, hastily divested him-' self of coat and waistcoat, and jumped in after her| but failedtd reach her. He was not an expert swimmer, but dived repeatedly: until he became exhausted. Deceased took out a small policy for i£3oo. In reply to the coroner witness said he bad not made any claim against the oompany, but had wired that day informing them of the occurrence.

Evidence was given that Wedge was greatly distressed, and broke down com-, pletely when the "body was recovered. Inquiries show that the pair livedhappily together.. '-■'.;; .";'■ ;.^ The inquiry was adjourned for further evidence. '. -.. ' . • -■ *■