Noah Nally Drowned, 1900

Locktender Goes Down to Death in Chaney's Lock.

His Hat Found By His Wife

Floating on the Water-Body is Recovered- Believed to Have Been An Accident.

Noah R. Nally, locktender at Lock #43, known as Chaney's Lock on the C. & O. Canal, below Williamsport, was drowned in the lock between 5 & 6 o'clock Monday evening. His body was recovered later in the canal about fifty feet below the lower lock.

Mr. Nally had locked a boat through when his wife called him to supper. He replied that he would first go to the patch below the lock after corn & failing to return within a reasonable time, Mrs. Nally went in search for him. Upon arriving at the lock, she saw her husband's hat & a pole floating on the water. Instantly she concluded that he had fallen into the canal & was drowned. Help was summoned & the locks & canal dragged, resulting in the finding of the body.

No person was near when he was drowned. It is supposed that he accidently fell overboard & was seized with cramps, then some think the circumstances surrounding his death point to suicide; but the friends of the dead man deny this. It is said that he had been despondent & in trouble, but it was not known that he contemplated self-destruction. The drowning was reported to State's Attorney Poffenberger, who did not deem it necessary to hold an inquest.

It is said that Nally had a quarrel with a boatman, but it is not known if it was in any way connected with his death.

Mr. Nally was the son of Eza Nally, a well known farmer, living near Williamsport. He was 46 years & leaves a wife & 2 small children aged 3 & 5 yeas respectfully. Besides these he is survived by two brothers, Alvey & Greeley, & his father. The funeral will take place Wednesday at 10 o'clock, interment at Bakersville.