The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-07-25
MISCELLANEOUS.
Distressing Calamity.

Dlstrcsslng Calamity.
ST.. ANTHONY, Minn., July 8.
Our community was startled on Thurs
day by report that six persons had beer
drowned in Lake Calhoun Soon ever,
vehicle was brought into active requisition
We made our way to the scene of the ca
tastrophe, and found the report too true.
The following named persons are the
lost:
Rev. II. NJ. Nichols, pastor of the Cor,
gregational society of Minneapolis; Nancy
lis wife, and Henry. their son, aged 13
Mr.. A. Cleveland, brother-in- law of Mr.
n, and Emerette, aged 13, and Ella, aget
II, daughters OF Mr.. Cleveland But one
little boy, aged two years, is left of tn,
Nichols family-whilc the Cleveland famil,
remaining consists Of bereaved, sorrowin!
wife and two interesting daughters of ten
der years.
The circumstances of the catastrophe, a.
correctly as we could CLEAN them, are al
follows:
The above mentioned families were visit
ing the Lake on picnic excursion. The
party consisted of ten persons. 1t was
proposed to bathc, and while Mr.. N. and
Mr.. G. were putting on bathing dresses
Mr.. Ms son and Mr. C.'s daughters en-
tered the water. Owing to an abrupt de-
scent, some 20 feet from the margin of the
water, one of the little girls was soon be-
yond her depth. This being observed by
the brave boy, he ventured in to relieve
her, failing III which he desired the other
little girl to reach out her hand, which she
did
Thus joined hand in hand they strug
gled, but failing to get up the shelving
bank, and becoming alarmed, they called
for help, when Mr.. c. and n rushed in
hand in hand Not being within reach
they requested Mrs. n to enter the water,
which she did, taking her husband by the
hand. Mr. c. still retaining hold of Mr.
Ms hand, entered the deep water, and sue.
ceeded in reaching the struggling children
But, standing on the shelving bank, he lost
his balance, and in falling dragged Mr.
N. and his wife into the deep water. They
sunk, retaining fast hold on each other
Thus those that could swim were prevented
from doing so, and soon sunk to rise nc
more. Mrs. N. was buoyed up by her light
skirts, and repeatedly called on her sister,
Mrs c., to come to her aid. This noble
woman done all delicate, sickly invalid
could but her efforts were of no avail.
Mrs N. too perished. What narrowing
sight to gaze upon husband, sister and
children perishing, and yet powerless to
give effectual aid.
Two noble fellows, named Hamilton,
heard the screams of those on shore, ran to
the place, plunged in, but alas, it was too
late. One of these noble brothers, becom-
| tnl H., A. n
those he sought to rescue, had not his
brother dragged him forcibly from the
water.
Hours intervened before the bodies OF
she drowned were recovered. By this time
hundreds of persons had collected on the
bank The bodies were placed in wagons
and brought to town.
Rev. Mr.. Nichols was native of Mass.
After entering the ministry he removed to
Saltwater, in this State, where he remained
for several years. From thence he came to
Minneapolis and took charge of the Ply
mouth Congregational church. He was
devoted, energetic pastor, much beloved by
his people and highly respected in our com
munity Mr.. Cleveland, his brother-in- law,
was on visit here His home is near Lake
Minnetonka.
This sad event has cast deep gloom owe,
our town; and well it may A lesson
fraught with instruction to the living, and
proclaimed in tone that none dare disre-
gard. Death, sooner or later will claim all
living us his portion; therefore be ready
How mysterious arc the ways of God, and
past finding out Some are taken and 9TH
ers left. The living of today may be the
dead Of tomorrow. 1t is so to-day. Who
can tell whether it will not be so again ?
and, reader, you may be the next victim.
Ponder well the import of the warning.
During the afternoon of Thursday, the
bodies of Mr.. Nichols, wife and son, Mr..
Cleveland and his two daughters, six in all
in appropriate coffins-were exposed in
the parlor of the late residence of Mr..
Nichols. side by side, and throngs of visit
ors gathered to view the sorrowful scene.
The funeral services were delayed for the
arrival of friends from Emcelsior, and
would, probably, be postponed until this
morning. Visitors from St. Paul, and all
the adjacent country, were in attendance,
awaiting the funeral services.