The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-07
The Broadwater Natatorium the
Scene Of An Unfortunate Ao-
cident Last Night
and Every Effort to Save Him
Proves Fruitless,

son dove in at the lower end and afterwards
went to the south end, where his friend
Nelson was, and the two started to 90 to
the north end, where they could dive in the
deep water. They swan and waded until
they reached the rope which ia stretched
across the plunge about sixty feet from the
north end. Nelson was in front and
crossed over ON the rope to the east side
and then started to swim to the end of the
tank. He had got about twenty feet when
he suddenly threw up his hands and began
to halo. There were twenty-five to thirty
people in the bath at the time and but
little attention was paid to the noise at the
Peterson Thought his is friend was
his assistance. He was about
twenty feet away and a few strokes brought
him along side of the drowning man. The
latter Immediately caught hold Of Peterson
Peterson endeavored to help him out, but
fearful of being drowned himself he
managed to pull himself loose. At the
first cry of alarm the lady who has charge
of the bathing department knocked on the
w win t. Fa AID from the . outside tide
McGuigan, followed by Prof. Mowry, the
swimming expert, rushed in. On reaching
the northeast corner of the tank, where the
man was still struggling in the water, all
three jumped in and endeayored to save
reach him, and did his best to keep him
above water, but found the task more than
he could accomplish. His feet became en-.
tangled with the sinking body and he was
about to go down himself when j. V. Je-
rome came to his assistance and helped him
to land. An employe of the establishment
threw in ife-preserver as the man arose
for the last time, but it did not reach him.
By this time all was confusion and excite
ment. Nobody seemed to know what to do.
Prof. Mowry offered no assistance until
s after vs the body boz so had been Reen II
half dozen men stood on the walk
in bathing suits within twenty feet Of the
drowning man, but offered no assistance.
It is claimed they could not swim. If this
is 30 they were wise in not venturing into
deep water.
down for good, several pers .ns, including
Manager Mcintyre and Prof. Mowry, began
diving in order to locate the body. 1t was
soon found, but it was impossible to raise
it by ordinary means. boat was secured
from the lake and in course of three-quar-
tiers of an hour the body was raised by
means of pole and hook and carried to q
room. An effort WAS made to resuscitate
it, but life was found to be entirely extinct
and the body soon became rigid.
about IL O'Clock, with the following jury:
John Worth, George Mahrt, Sam Alexander
Ed. Fridley, Ry Zeigler and Sam MulKeran.
They went in and viewed the body and
decided, after electing Mr.. Worth foreman,
to postpone the inquest until 10 a: m. to-
day, at the morgue in this city. Witnesses
were summoned, as follows: Hans Peter
BON, W. J. Mcintyre, g. Nolan. VIM. ).
Fuchs, J. w. Woodson, W. @. Rose.
Hans Nelson was powerful built man,
about q years of age, weight $50 pounds,
Employed in the Northern Pacific round
house in this city for the past eight months.
He came from Deadwood county, Mime
eota, where his parents are said to reside.
The body lay on stretcher dressed in a
bathing suit. The face was smooth shaven
Ind hair closely cropped. The left side of
vas clot of blood on the left temple. It
was thought at first that he might have
oeen hurt, but the blood evidently came
from the nose. r r
barge Of the body, and ;it was removed to
md will be taken to the morgue for the in
uest this morning.
As to how tho man came to drown, no
body can tell at this time, although the in
uest may develop something new. He was
fair swimmer, and had been in the tank
efore, from ali accounts. It is thought,
fter leaving the rope, he became tired and
ndeavored to touch bottom where the
Fater is about ten feet deep. That he went
nder, and perhaps swallowed considerable
Eater, became frightened, lost his head and
kas unable to help himself, and although
eroic effort was made to save him, it
roved unavailing.
Prof. MOwry, the swimmer, who is en-
loyed to look after the bathers. was suffer
pg from headache, according to his
ccount, and was not in the bath house at
he time, and says the reason he did not
amp in to assist the man was because there
ERE already three or four men in the water
hrger and more able to cope with drown
pg man than himself. Others say that he
as too badly scared. It was his duty to
ave been there at that hour to watch and
are for anyone in trouble.
The matter is deeply regretted by the
Management and every effort will be put
prth to prevent its repetition.
One thing that needs to be attended to is
be place for keeping life-preservers. Had
eepest water is the man might have been
wed. But they are kept near the entrance
nd the distance is too far to 20 and re-
brn in time to assist a drowning man. 1t
learned that they had been kept there,
ut the bathers carried them ali in the
alter, SO that they could not be had when
eeded, hence their removal.
The tank was .emptied of its water last
ght. In fact before the body of the
Eowned man was recovered it was turned
4. But to-day it will be full again, and
patrons will probably be as numerous
ever. If there is any blame or censnre
be passed upon any one the coroner's
~ will attend to that. From present
formation it seems that all that could be
Pne IN an effort to save the unfortunate
an was done.
Coroner Rockman took charge of the
BAD mans effects at the bath, which con-
sted OF the clothing he wore, note, book,
Fenty cents In money, and d pocket knife
I'D bunch of keys.
Live fish always en- hsnl at the Qneen CITY