Watermen's Memorial



Daniel Gaskill
April 14, 1898

Summary
Age 81,
Oysterman
Drowning, Drowned at the mouth of the Cohansey River when he took the yawl boat to get a string of fish from another boat. He was wearing a pair of boots two sizes too big. When he stepped onto the yawl, he fell into the water and drowned, when his boots came up and his head was held under. His brother Harry Gaskill hinted at fowl play and thought more effort was needed in finding the body. $75 reward.


BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS ARTICLE
SATURDAY, APRIL 16, 1898
BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS (BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY)

Daniel Gaskill

 

OYSTERMAN DROWNED
DANIEL GASKILL LOSSES HIS LIFE

Fell Overboard at the Mouth of the Cohansey and Quickly Porished.

Daniel Gaskill, aged 81 years, an oysterman, was drowned at the mouth of the Cohansey River at 10 o’clock Thursday night.

He was one of a crew of three on the Mayflower, captained by Mortn Hughes. He was a resident of Millville and when not on the water he lived with his mother on Cedar street. Only one of the crew was with him when he was drowned and the one was Ammel Aiken, who is badly affected by the sad calamity. Aiken was in Bridgeton yesterday afternoon and he related to a News reporter how the drowning occurred.

He said that about 9 o’clock in the evening Gaskill and he took a yawl boat and rowed away from the Mayflower to get a string of fish of Janice Dilks, who was in a boat some distance from where they lay anchored.

They were returning and stopped at another schooner whose name Aiken did not know. As they started for the rowboat Gaskill went ahead. He was wearing a pair of rubber boots two sizes too large for him, borrowed of Captain Hughes.

Then Aiken tells of the drowning as follows, “ As Dan stepped hinto the yawl he either stubbed his toe, or jumped overboard, I don’t know which. As he cut the water I said “Oh Dan’s drowned!” I shoved an oar out over the boat’s side and thought if he did come up he could grab it but he did not come up. Then I dont know what happened. A man who was standing near explained that Aiken fainted and knew no more till he receoved in the cabin of Mayflower. Aiken continued : “The rubber boots he wore brought up his feet and kept his head under water. Yes, he could swim wome but he did not have a chance. I thought a good deal of Dan and would have lost a fortune rather than have him drowned. “

The crew of the Mayflower, as soon as apprised of the drowning, grappled for the body but without success. The undertow is very strong at the point and the body had evidently been washed quite a distance from where it entered the water. All of the crew were in the city yesterday afternoon. Adverse winds and tides held them back. Cnseuently no news of the drowning reached this place earlier. It was necessary for the crew to notify Coroner Davis and the Custom House officiale. All expressed to the most inense regret at the death of thei companion whome they had known for several years. Up to a late hour last night the body had not been recovred. Gaskill was not married.


gaskill-daniel


BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS ARTICLE
SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1898
BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS (BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY)

Millville Brieflets
The Little Things of the Day

Bits of News of Lcal and Personal Character Which Interest Everybody


Yesterday was a beautiful Sunday. John Wesle entertainment toniht, Hundred of people read our late dispatches Saturday night.

When will Millville have a fire alarm system?

Open cars will soon be put on the trolly line.

There were many strangers here yesterday.

It was very close last evening.

Many more spring suits came out yesterday.

It is surprising to note the number of visitors on Sunday. It is safe to say that there are hundreds who visit friends in other cities and towns every air Sabbath.

Normal School students return to their studies this morning. Millville is well represented there. Wouldnt it pay our Senators to act quickly instead of shooting off so many speches?

Several strange wheelman were in town yesterday.

The steamer Wildwcod was unable to find a buyer.

There was a great demand for the Sunday paper yesterday.

The News late edition is for sale at the News office and Aaronsons newsstand. Millville has several young men who are anxious for a company to be formed.

The First Presbyterian Church was crowded last evening.

The merchants did excellent business on Saturday. In the evening the streets were crowded with shoppers.

Col. F.G. Aaronson was summoned to report in Philadelphia this morning at his G.A.R. Post headquarters.

The members of Christ P.E. Church had an excellent supper in the guild room on Saturday afternoon.

There will be some interested dispatches displayed in the big windows of the News headqurters tonight.

City Council will hold another special meeting tomorrow night in the council chamber.

A large number of people took a stroll over the dam on Sunay.

The churches were well filled last night.

A twelve pound boy arrived at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Francene Rabart yesterday.

The Salvation Army have a hymn that they sing to the tine of “A Hot Time in the Old Twn Tonight”

Steam barge Harry arrived in port on Saturday.

The body of Daniel Gaskill, who was drowned in Cohansey Creek,
has not yet been receovered.

Schooner Maine, Captain Bennett in command, will begin Wednesday to load water pipes from R.D. Wood & Do.’s wharves for Boston. The captain has been waiting here sometme for orders.

A baby girl has come to the home of Mr and Mrs Clarence Hankins, of West Main street.

The scooner J. Henry Edmunds which plies up the Maurice River is reported aground on Great Egg Harbor bar.

 

BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS ARTICLE
SATURDAY, APRIL 19, 1898
BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS (BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY)

gaskill-daniel

 

BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS ARTICLE
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 1898
BRIDGETON EVENING NEWS (BRIDGETON, NEW JERSEY)

gaskill-daniel