Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes Co., O. [Ohio]) 1870-1895, 1874-07-30
Nearly Drowned at odells
Lake.

A party of about forty ladies and gen.
tlemen of Wooster went on an excur-
sion party to Odell's Lake last Wednes-
day. It came near having mournful
ending, as some of the individuals had
a very narrow escape from death by
drowning.
The excurtionists arrived at the lake
at nine O'Clock in the morning, and at
eleven all were in the midst of the en-
Ijoyment of the pleasures of such a time
and spot. For ride on the lake, DR..
Il. A. Hart, Mr.. E. Thomen, Miss Mary
A. Hart, Miss Melissa Frick and Misses
Louise, Kate and Mamie Hins-seven in
all-now got in boat, and were push
ed of from shore.
The boat was too heavily loaded, and
swamped almost Immediately, when not
more than thirty feet from shore, and
before the oars had been used. All
were thrown into water eighteen feet
deep, the boat turning upside down.
Mr.. Thomen quickly righted the boat,
but again it was overturned by the girls
grasping it on one side, the second turn
ing again submerging them. The situ-
alton was now frightening. DIR. Hart
got hold Of his sister and Miss Frick
and kept their heads above water by
helding on to the boat, while Mr.. Tho
men was doing all in his power to stea-
dy it and get the others to cling to 1t in
order TO save themselves.
On shore there was great excitement.
Shrieks from the women and their weep
ing veices filled the air as they beheld
their loved friends evidently perishing
so near them. 1t was indeed q heart
breaking scene to witness the fran
tic struggles in the water, the sinking
and rising of friends in mortal peril of
their lives.
Lewis Shibly and John Heelzel at
to wade out to their aid, but
after going couple of yards from
shore they stepped off into water ever
their heads, and, as neither could swim,
It was with an effort that those on land
got them safely to shore.
But George Faber and August Inn
gard, both veteran swimmers, now
came to the rescue, and boldly plunged
in to the assistance of the imperiled
ones. Faber swan to Louise Hine, the
iarthest from shore, who was under wa
.er and had sunk the second time,
yrasping her by the hair, and thus SWIM
ng with her until she could be carried
'ut. Imgard went for Kate Hine who
was also under water, catching at her
1oating hair, all he could see, which
proved to be her false braids, which
ore from her head in his clutch. She
hen sank several feet under water, but
,e reached down and grasped her by
he real hair, and brought her up to
he surface, and safely to land. Misses
Hart and Frick clung to DR.. Hart, who
lsld on to the boat, which was finally,
~ Thomen and others, got so close to
and that they could easily get ashore.
Mamie Hine got out herself, with but
little assistance.
All were safe, and rejoiced at their
They had need to be
thankful, for it was q narrow escape
rom death, such as none of them will
'ver want again.
The wet parties were not near as styl-
sh in appearance as before their invol-
,ntary bath. The ladies looked pitiable
n their dripping garments and general
voebegoneness. Their lady friends,
however, soon contributed liberal
hare of their clothing to them, while
he wet garments were hung on the
pushes to dry. The gentlemen Jared
worse, as there was no extra pants in
he party. Their appearance, while
heir clothes hung out to dry, can be
August Imgard's whole
apparel consisted of a blanket shawl,
md DIR. Hart's of small shawl and
ady's waterproof cloak-George Faber,
Chomen and the rest in similar Modock
But the clothes of all were dried in
bout an hour. Dinner was then had.
The enjoyment was resumed, and con-
inued throughout the day as if moth
Rg had happened. Miss Hart took
boat ride on the lake, the only one of
he ladies who would venture. At nine
''clock the excurtionists returned to
Wooster on the Wooster Demo-