TRAGEDY AT LAKE OTTOSEE

by Ron Allen

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In earlier times, there have been many attractions at Chilhowee Park. Permanent rides at the park have included a Ferris wheel, a roller coaster, dodgems, swings, and a miniature railroad. Outdoor theaters were at the site, as well as the lake, where boating and swimming were popular outdoor activities for the public. The lake was originally opened as Lake Beaman, and the park itself was called Beaman's Park. The name changed to Lake Ottosee, then later became Chilhowee Park.

Lake Ottosee was in the area north of what today is Magnolia avenue, where the lake at Chilhowee Park still exists, albeit a smaller rendition today. In 1896, the section on the opposite, or south side of that street, (that street then being the trolley line right of way) was called Elmwood Park. That year, it was announced that a new attraction was being opened at the Lake Ottosee. It was called the "Shoot the Chute", an elevated device with an incline that propelled boats onto the lake at a rapid speed. The attraction was completed and opened on July 1, 1896. The Journal reported the opening event the following day, detailing the activities the previous evening, when a "Trolley and Chute party" for one hundred or so guests from local society were invited to the park by Mr and Mrs. J. B. Harrison, sponsors of the event.

At eight o'clock on the evening of July 1, 1896, the party left Depot Street headed for the lake, along the Citizens Route to Lake Ottosee. (Another trolley line from the downtown area to the park took a different route, south of what later became Magnolia, through the old Fair Grounds section). The ladies in attendance were reportedly reluctant initially to board the boats and try this new gimmick, but eventually most of them took the ride down the "Chute", and apparently enjoyed the breezy attraction. Following the rides, the party retired to the pavilion and danced to the music of Clark's orchestra, eventually returning to the city after midnight. The new attraction was obviously enjoyed by all who attended the opening night's activities, and the Shoot the Chute was officially opened as a new park attraction.

Nearly a month later, on July 30, 1896, the annual outing of the Broad Street Methodist Church was held at Lake Ottosee. Four church members who were in attendance embarked from the lake shore in a row boat at about 4 o'clock that afternoon. They were three young people -- Charles Perry, Walter Wright, Miss Carrie Phibbs -- and Mrs. Mary Forster. They rowed their boat along the lake and stopped near the base of the Shoot the Chute, which was in full operation on that fateful day. Some young ladies had just boarded the boat at the top of the ride, the ride incline was tilted, and the boat quickly hurled at its rapid speed down the incline of the Chute. The boat bounced once off the water, then plowed directly into the doomed rowboat that was directly in its path. Youngsters Charles Perry and Carrie Phibbs disappeared beneath the surface and were killed instantly. Some of those along the shore who witnessed the tragedy reported that Walter Wright came to the surface of the water once or twice, but then he sank into the murky waters of the lake. and was drowned, his body later recovered from the lake with those of Perry and Phibbs. The impact of the collision had also threw the fourth passenger, Mrs. Forster, into the water, but she had managed to cling to the overturned boat. A bystander on the bank, seventeen year old John Cooper, quickly removed his coat and trousers and swam towards the lady in distress. He was soon aided by Bill Ferguson, who also dove into the lake and swam to Mary Foster's aid, assisting young Cooper in keeping her afloat until a rescue boat arrived to take her to safe ground. She survived, but with serious injuries. Several boats soon were at the accident scene on the lake, attempting to recover the bodies of the young people. Eventually, and after some effort, the three bodies were brought to the surface from their watery graves.

A Journal reporter interviewed Citizens Railway superintendent A. B Skelding that night, inquiring as to whether the Shoot the Chute might be closed following the tragedy. There had been much speculation in town that evening, many suggesting that the ride should be closed. However, Skelding, while acknowledging the sadness of the unfortunate tragedy, said that the evidence was that it had been a unavoidable event. He stated that since the attraction had originally opened, warnings had always been given to all who went onto the lake, either to bathe or in boats, to keep back of the warning ropes in the area of the Chute. He said the ride would continue in operation on the following day, and if persons who bathed or went boating on the lake "will not heed our warnings, we will be obliged to stop them altogether".

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