The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1890-05-03
A Sad Drowning.

Harry Baumgardner, second son of
Mr.. Baumgardner, Of the firm of
Baumgardner & Walter, was drowned
in the Illinois river, below the dam,
at $40 o'clock last Monday EVENING"
Harry, in company with Frank +.
Sapp, a reporter on the Republican and
son of the proprietor, F. M. Sapp,
rOwed up to the dam in Franks boat
to practice with target rifle at
o'clock in the afternoon. They rOwed
up through the break in the dam on
the side of the island, and fastened
the boat to the east end, remaining
until about 8 o'clock, when they de-
cided to go home. They left the rifle
and luggage upon the bank. fearing
that they might get wet in going
through the break in the dam, intend
ing to return and get the articles.
They passed the dam proper In
safety, and were returning toward the
point of the island in the back water,
Harry steering and Frank rowing,
when the boat pushed its nose into
the current, just below the dam, and
whirling about, capSiZed. The young
men found that they could touch the
bottom, but were wearing rubber
boots, and the under current being
very heavy, swept them off their feet
into the deep water below.
Frank shouted to people on the
shore, among whom was Ben. BOYLE,
jr., fishing near by. who finally ran
| for John Budach, farmer living near
the dam. Frank saw that Harry, who
was counted an average swimmer, had
become terribly frightened, and ap-
peared to have no strength to main
tain himself. He told him to cling to
the boat, and seeing him catch hold,
started to tow it to the shore. Harry lost
his head, however climbed upon the
side of the boat. which whirled and he
went down. When he came up he
caught hold of Frank. but the latter,
seeing that both would drown if he al
lowed this, shook himself loose and
laced the oar uAder Harry's arm.
While Harry was clinging to the oar,
Frank got the boat, which was float
ing away, and as Harry dropped the
oar, Frank again caught hold of him
and placed him upon the boat. He
was unconscious but when he recov-
cred he moved about and the boat
turned completely over, again sending
him under the water.
During all this they were being
carried rapidly down stream. Frank
again grasped him and got him on the
boat. but upon recovering Harry again
caused the boat towhirl, and again he
went to the bottom. Feeling him
with his feet upon the bottom Of the
river, Frank dove and again placed
him upon the boot. He then waited
until Harry had recovered his senses
and started for the shore. But Harry
again became greatly frightened and
would not remain quiet. The boat
again whirled and Harry went to the
bottom for the last time. Frank
looked about for him but being unable
to find him and being himself nearly
exhausted with the half hours strug-
gle in the water swan to the island,
reaching it just as his strength failed,
and as cramp seized him as he was
nearing the shore.
BY this time, Budach had started in
for them with his boat, but, as the
young men We're nearly quarter Of
mile from him., he was unable TO get
near enough to be of any service to
them. He found Frank. exhausted
and somewhat iaCOherent. lying upon
the shore of the island, and brought
him to the south bank where Ben.
Boyle. jr., accompanied him to the
home of his uncle, Ed. Sapp. city
editor of the Republican. 1t was some
time before he was able to give clear
account of the affair, but his story
told, when he had fully recovered, is
given above. Frank made gallant
fight for his friends life, and had
poor Harry retained his presence of
mind as did his friend, both would
doubles have been rescued alive.
The body was taken from the river a
short distance from the point at
which he was drowned on Tuesday
morning at ll:l5 o'clock. All Monday
night the search was kept up and sew
eral drag hooks were kept in the
water constantly. At day break
another sqMad of men went to work
and the drag was operated under the
direction Of the veteran Bill Barker.
Fred Saunders and Judd Rowland
were operating the drag which caught
the body. Three hooks caught Sc
curely in the back of the vest. When
the body was brought to the surface
of the water the hands were clinched
on a mass of weeds and the head was.
bent toward. Evidently he had
caught hold of weeds at the bottom
of the river and these kept him down.
Several charges of dynamite were dis
charged at 10 O'Clock but they had no
effect as far as removing the body was
concerned. The body was then taken
to Charles Beckwith's barn and IN
dertakqA Zimmerman brought ma
tural c6for to the face and removed
the old clothing, substituting new
suit.
Deputy Coroner Weeks empaneled
jury and verdict of accidental
death by drowning was returned.
The body was then taken home.
The death of the young man, just
entering manhood, having completed
his education and obtained (Only few
weeks ago. his diploma as trained
pharmacist (having graduated from
the Chicago College Of Pharmacy with
much more than usual hOnors) is mex
pressibly sad. The world before him
was bright. and the rewards of indus
try, study, careful preparation for his
| life'S work, most excellent habits and
kindly manner, would surely have
been his. The pride of mothers
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