John L. Minor & Ransdell Peed

From the Northern Neck News Friday, March 10, 1882

A Sad Drowning Affair

On Friday last Mr. John Minor and his brother-in-law, Ransdell Peed, both of this county, were drowned in the Rappahannock river, just above Naylor's Hole wharf, under the following distressing circumstances: -- There were taking a load of corn and fodder, in a small row boat, from Sabine Hall, where Mr. Minor lived last year as a tenant, to a farm higher up the river, when a powerful steam tug passed them, having in tow several large barges. One of them called to the captain of the tug and asked for a tow, which the captain refused, on the ground that the rate of speed at which he was going was too great for so small a craft; but, as the barges swept by, a rope was thrown to the unfortunate men from one of them and made fast to the little boat.

Just how the accident occurred is not known; but, from the best information which we can gather, the tug slackened its speed from some cause, when the barges came suddenly together, knocking a hole in the frail little boat and capsizing it. The unfortunate men went down with their boat, and it is thought that they must have been severely injured by the collision, as they never rose to the surface again, or, it may be, that being drawn beneath the barges, they were drowned before they could reach the surface. The boat has been found, bottom upwards, with a large hole in the bottom, and their hats and coats have also been found; but, though a search was immediately begun for bodies, neither has yet been discovered. There were both excellent citizens, and Mr. Minor, having lived for several years in this immediate neighborhood, was most highly esteemed by the entire community. He leaves a wife and one child and an aged mother and several brothers and one sister to mourn his death. Mr. Peed was unmarried.

Friday, March 31, 1882

The bodies of Messrs. Jno L. Minor and Ransdell Peed, who were drowned in the Rappahannock river on the 3rd of this month under such distressing circumstances, have been found. Mr. Peed's body was found on Saturday last entangled in the gill-net of Wm. Gouldman, who towed it several miles up the river to his landing, where he left it in the water at the stern of the boat until he could inform the friends of the deceased. On Sunday morning as the body was being taken from the water that of Mr. Minor was discovered floating within a few feet, whither, doubtless, it had been attracted by some strange and unaccountable affinity. The remains of both men have been interred in the Peed burying ground in Westmoreland county.