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Beacon
Oct 20, 1904
Plunged to His Death at Johnson's Cove Bridge
Herbert Ross Drives into the Abyss and Death Follows. One Horse Killed—Wagon Destroyed
A painful tragedy occurred at the Johnson Cove bridge, Bayside, on Wednesday night last. Several weeks ago this bridge was carried away by a "freshet," leaving a yawning chasm twenty-five feet wide and from twenty to thirty feet in depth. A fence was built across the roadway on either side and travel was directed through the fields and over the gulley to the east of the bridge.
            On Wednesday night, about 9 o'clock, Herbert Ross, with a double team from W. F. Kennedy and Co.'s stable, was driving home from St. Stephen, when he drove through the flimsy fence in the darkness and plunged into the frightful abyss. The team turned a complete summersault. One horse had his neck broken and died instantly, the other received several injuries, and the carriage was hopelessly wrecked. The driver sustained terrible injuries to his face, his jaw being broken and his chin and nose split. A portion of his jaw with three teeth in it was found in the carriage. His body was badly bruised as well. In this terrible plight he lay until about 12:30 o'clock, when Hiram Greenlaw and his son returning from fishing heard a noise in the gulley and discovered the wrecked team.  Ross was taken to Greenlaw's house and Dr. Wade summoned. The Dr. did what he could for him and the next day he was taken to the Chipman hospital. St. Stephen. He seemed to be doing well until early Sunday morning, when he collapsed and about 5 o'clock died. His sister, Miss Mary Ross, was at his bedside when he died. His brother, Townsend, and niece, Miss Fannie Ross, drove to St. Stephen early Sunday morning, only to find the injured man dead on arrival.
            Mr. James Cummings, who was driving from St. Stephen Wednesday night, must have passed the bridge within five minutes after the accident occurred. After safely crossing the gully he stopped on the southern side of the bridge to light his cigar. He did not hear the slightest sound coming from the bridge opening. The presumption is that Ross was unconscious for some time after the plunge was made.
            The body was brought to St. Andrews on Sunday afternoon by undertaker Rigby. It was taken to the late home of the deceased, where many friends gathered to sympathize with the family of the deceased. The deceased was 44 years of age and was the youngest son of the late Robert Ross. He was of genial temperament and had many friends among the young people of the place.