The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1844-06-28
Drowning of HIr. Dodd.

The melancholy fate Of this young man we no.
,iced in our paper of the l4th inst. The follow
ing letter of our esteemed FRIEND detailing the
particulars, will be read with painful interest.
RASDoLuu's Grove, June II, 1874.
M.ssrS. Editor5-Please have the kindness to
publish the following notice. Extremely painful
as the sad calamity is, we are nevertheless DESTROYS
that the circumstances attending it should be
known,
On Saturday last, the s IN day of June Gen. NJ.
l.. Covell, Col. Miller and Alert Dodj, Esq, Of
Bloomington, Mclean county, were returning
home from the Ottawa convention. On arriving
OF the Mackinaw river, which was much swollen,
they attempted to cross the stream on horseback,
when the latter named gentleman was precipitated
from bis horse and unfortunately drowned.
Mr.. Dodd had passed to near the middle of the
stream before the accident occurred; Col Mlller's
horse had swan some distance, and about the
same moment that Mr. Dold was plunged into
the current, tho Col was also endorsed. Gen
CovelFs horse was in deep water q. the .",e bnt
feet below, and in advance of the Gen. Mr.. Dodd
was also below and in advance about 40 feet dis
tant; both gentlemen were IN imminent danger and
required assistance. Gen. Covell instantly dis
mounted in water breast high, to give encourage
ment and such assistance as lay in his power, at
the same time requesting Mr.. Dodd to seize the
tail OF his horse and not be alarmed his attcn-
ton for the moment was directed to Col Miller,
the nearest apparent sufferer. Fortunately, how
ever the plunge under water created only momen-
tary alarm in the Col, and with swimming short
cued from watery grave. Mr.. Dodd, however,
made but a momentary and Intellectual effort TO
SWIM then raising his head imploringly he sank
to rise no more, and at about the same mqment II
time that the Col. was out of danger
Thus by All avid visitation of Providence this
community has been deprived of one of its bright
est ornaments. n'he situation of Gen, Covell was
one of cxtremey trial. Here was his friend and
neighbor close 70 his side, in pcrilous situation
earnestly CALLING for assistance; there, in the
midst of raid current, struggling for life, was q
friend which ihe regarded as brother; a, the
same time he was deeply concerned for the safety
of his own family, his dwelling being struck with
lightning during his absence and portions of hi.
furniture shattered TO fragments, vague and uncer
tain rumors Of which had reached him on the way
home.
Immediately after Mr.. DoJd's Disappearance
Gen. Covell FASTENED to the nearest settlement
and procured assistance to search for the body. and
although the utmost exerions were made by out
citizens, il was not recovered until next morning
1t was then conveyed to Bloomington, and on
Monday every remark of respect was paid to the
deceased by our citizens, almost the entire popu.
aion joining in procession, and after an appro
pirate discourse by the Rev. Mr. Grubbs, the NOR.
tai remains of ALDEnT Dom was conveyed to the
tomb. He was native of Connecticut, and bu,
stranger amongst us, but was highly esteemed
by all who knew him. On the day OF his decease
unknown to him and perhaps unexpected, he re.
ceived the nomination from respectable conven.
ton Of this county, as the democratic candidate
for the house of representatives.
remain, dear srs,
Your most obedicnt servant,
JOHN MOORE.