The Sully County watchman. (Clifton, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1894, 1885-06-13
SAD DROWNING OF MISSES IDA
r. KENNY AND MAGGIE
A. WALTER!

Clifton has been bereft. and there is
mourning in every heart. Death, with
swift and sudden sweep of his far
reaching pinions, has descended upon
our little community, and borne away
two lovely and beloved ones.
Last Thursday evening, about five
o'clock, four young girls, Ida and Let
tie Kenny, Maggie Walter, and Julia
Black, who were spending the evening
together at the College, went down to
the Okobojo to battle, selecting place
about half mile north east OF the Col
lege, and over a mile from town. The
stream was much swollen by the recent
heavy rains, being bank-tull every
where, and In many places overilowed,
and having, in the main channel, a
very swift current. The girls selected
for their pastime, one Of these over
flowed spots, where the water stood
several feet deep over the grass, entire
ly outside of the main channel. The
two younger girls were rather timid at
first, being somewhat afraid to ventures
but Ida and Maggie, who were natural
ly fearless and venturesome, laughed
at their fears, telling them there was no
danger, and joking them about their
being afraid of drowning; until finally
all four girls, in n spirit of girlish fun
and merriment laughingly kissed each
other goodbye, and plunged in. They
amused themselves for some time in
the shallow water outside of the main
channel; then Ida and Maggie declared
their intention of crossing to the other
side of the stream, Every one who is
acquainted with this peculiar stream,
knows that it consists of series Of
deep ponds, with PORTIONS of more ele-
waited ground between, which, under or
dlnary circumstances, are quite high
and dry. At one Of these shallow
spots, the two girls proposed to cross,
knowing that the water was not deep
enOught to engulf them, but having no
correct estimate of the tremendous
power of the current The younger
girls refused to 60, and tried in vain to
dissuade them. They started together,
Ida little in advance The moment
she entered the main stream, the resist
less force of the current lifted her from
her feet, and bore her helplessly along
Maggie, generous and daring, realizing
instantly the danger, sprang forward
TO grasp her friend, with wild
hope Of saving her; but she, too, was
dragged down by the remorseless cur
rent, and both were quickly swept into
the deeper water below. When they
re-appeared on the surface, Lettie, wild
with terror, would have sprung in, too,
hoping To save her sister; but Julia
held her back, having presence of mind
to see that it would be but another use
less sacrifice. After watching them for
several minutes, and vain!y trying to
reach them with their outstretchcd
hands, the two girls saw the hope
lessness of their attempts, and, throw
ing on their dresses, ran, barefooted, to
the house Of Mr.. Kenny, about 7 of a
mile distant, and alarmed Mr.. and Mrs.
Kenny, who ran with all haste to the
spot. The girls then ran to the Col
legc, and sent Seaborn Black to the
village for help, Mr.. and Mrs. Black
being absent from home. Nearly the
whole population of the village were
soon at the scene of the disaster; but
before they had reached it, Mr. Kenny
had found Maggic's lifeless body float
ing some distance below, and with the
assistance of Thomas Phillips, brought
it to the shore, being himself almost
overpowered in the effort. All posi-
bic means We're used by the distracted
father, and devoted friends to resuscl-
tate the body, but all in vain. She
was carried home to the village, where
the efforts were renewed, and prolonged
until every shadow OF hope had hed,
and the almost frantic mother had to
yield her daughter up to Death.
In the meantime diligent search was
made for ldas body, and kept up until
darkness and storm put on end to the
work. The family passed fearful
night of agony and suspense, fearing