Fatal Accident.

Wesley Byers Drowned While Learning to Swim at Sugar Hill.

A very sad and fatal accident occurred at the main water dam of the Sugar Hill mines last Saturday.  John Wesley Byars, the 16 year old son of Mr. Thomas Byars, lost his life while trying to learn to swim on a plank.  The plank slipped in some way, when he fell into the water and was drowned.

A boy companion Walter Ray, was near him when he drowned but could not save him.  Byars remained in the water about three hours before his body was discovered by his father and a negro man who dived down after him and brought him to the top.

The funeral services were conducted Monday afternoon at the Cross Roads church and the remains were interred there.

He was a devoted son and brother and loved by every one who knew him.  His parents moved to Sugar Hill mines May, 1889, and have lived there ever since.

Wesley was foreman of the main water pump for the mines and was a trusted and faithful employee.  He is survived by his parents and three brothers and four sisters, who are almost broken hearted but look forward to the home beyond where there is no parting.