The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-08-25
A SAD AFFAIR.
Young MAN and . Lad Drowned In
Dead Slough.

Young man ana . Lad Drowned in
Dead Slough.
Yesterday at noon rumor spread through
the city that two persons had been drowned
in what is called "Dead Slough on the
opposite side Of the river. The rumor was
soon ascertained to be too true. The unfor-
tunate parties we're George W. Anderson, a
young man just entering his twenty>frst year,
and lad named Afford Tinsman, of the age
of thirteen. In company with a few rela,
tives and friends Of the unfortunates we pro.
ceedsd, in skiff, to the spot where the
melancholy event occurred. The slonsh is
not over fifty yards in width, and the depth
of water about Eve feet. Young Anderson
has been one Of the employees at the Collar
Factory of Capt. Geo. Hagney. Fishing has
been, during the Summer mouths, the princi-
pile recreation INDUCED in by the boys of that
establishment, whenever they had leisure
time to devote to pleasure. And having such
y day Yesterday, they went to the other side
of the river to enjoy few hours in their fa>
vorite pasime. Some of the party left quite
early in the morning, and Anderson went
over few hours later accompanied
by the lad Tinsman. Proceeding to
the spot agreed upon, Anderson
found that his companions were on
the opposite bank, and in order to join them
concluded to swim across, which he did.
The lad also desiring to be with the party,
requested Anderson to carry him over,
which he readily consented to do, knowing
that he was an expert swimmer, and thinks
ing the task would be an easy one to &C.
complish. he therefore returned to the op-
posite shore, adjusted young Tinsman on his
back, and with confidence in his ability as a
swimmer, plunged into the water, and had
reached the middle Of the slough, when be
screamed for help. Two of his companions,
Mr.. Reed and Mr.. Jones, rushed to his res.
cue; but their endeavors to save proved in
vain, and the poor boys met common doom.
1t IS impossible to account for the accident.
Even those who witnessed the drowning can
give no correct idea in regard to it, The
most plausible conjecture is that young Tins>
man became frightened, being no swimmer
himself, and either strangled Anderson OF
clinched him in such q way that he lost the
free use Of his arms.
The party in search of the bodies had M
trouble whatever in finding them. There i,
very little if any curren. in this slough, as it.
name indicates, and consequently the bodie.
were easily found, and were not over five
feet from each other.
This is one of the most mournful cases a,
drowning that has ever occurred here within
our recollection. Mr.. Anderson was vel
known IN keokuk as . very promising young
man. he was very industrious, and with
his employer and every one connected with
the establishment in which he worked he
was regarded with much favor. We haye
known him ..from his boyhood-kind-
hearted, genial, noble and good were the
characteristics Of his nature. Just entering
his majority, with health, laudable ambi.
ton and bright hopes for the future he ha,
been stricken down in the twinkling Of an
eye-a verihcation of the or expressed, but
alas too little needed INDUCTION, e'In the
midst Of life We are in DEATH
Afford 1insman was . promising, bright,
eyed boy Of thirteen summers, only son Of
Mr.. ]. B. Tinsman.
Little Alfred was faithful member Of the
Fourteenth Street Mission Sabbath tSchool.
dis seat will be vacantto-day and forever.
and the melancholy and suddsa dsath Of the
little unfortunate will cause . feeling Of
gloom and sorrow to pervade 1.-THE exercises
OF his school this afternoon. 80
This sorrowful occurrence created sloom
throughout the city, but who can estimate the
Oitter anguish Of the families at this .udde an
ana terrible dispeusation of Prov;deno. !,
In their sad bereavement they have the avn,
pathy of every feeling heart in the comm.
nifty. fhs sorrow. stricken famil;es III. ~.
by side on Tenth street, between Erch.,..
and Bank.
The funerals will take place this afternoon
ct three and half o'clock.
We haze been requested, By the friends Of
the deceased, to publicly express their thanks