Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-12-18
e. Reynolds
A DAY OF CASUALTIES.
A Young man Drowned-Another
Killed and two Others Escapes .
WateFy Grave.


Wednesday afternoon Of the 10th INST. the
town was startled to learn that Homer Show
man had been drowned in the Maumee. The
report was discrsdited at first but an inves-
tigation proved that the awful intelligence
was but too true.
In company with Charley Wright the two
boys had skated several miles down the river
and enjoyed hunt On returning and while
near Patrick's farm both were precipitated in
an air hole. After struggling several minute
Wright succeeded in climbing on the ice and
endeavored by herculean efforts to aid his
school mate but with futility. The unfortu-
nate boy sank beneath the ice, being over
come with cold and cramps. The surviving
one rushed to farm house near by in semi
frozen condition and summoned aid, but too
late. Homer Snowman was beyond the
reach Of all human endeavor.
As soon as the news reached Napoleon
party at once hastened to the scene and
searched for the body. The ice was broken
and the river dragged but It was not until 8
p. M, that the unfortunate Toy was found.
The funeral took place at the M. E. church
Friday morning Rev. Campbell officiating,
where a vast crowd of sorrowing friends and
relatives paid the last sad tributes of respect
to young life cut of by tragic and un-
timely death.
"Again at Christmas did we weave
The Holly round the Christmas hearth;
The Yule-log sparkles keen with frost.
No wing or wind the region swept
But over all things brooding slept.
The quiet sense Of something lost"
When the treacherous ice consigned to the
cold merciless waters the comely, stalwart
form of this young man, 1t completed the
work of destroying the fourth of the Show
man family, three others having met the same
fate within the past twenty years. A bright
home has been made desolate, q father, moth
er and brother. pierced with a grief that
human consolation can not assuage.
He was a youth is years Of age, Just merg-
ing into manhood. While hope and ambition
were noted features of his character, innocent
fun and great activity made him general
favorite, and household idol around the fire.
side. 1t is q fearful thing to see the human
soul take wing in any form--in any cline
such bereavement is too poignant to be de.
scribed; yet in this fatality it seems doubly
so. A young man with summer in his veins
a bright future in the west, no doubt con
templating the near merry Christmas times
thus suddenly to be torn from loved onel
without moment to say farewell is pitifu
death at once tragic and ineffably sad. The
grief stricken family have the coincidence o
the community.
A Narrow Escape.
Shortly after the drowning of Home
Snowman as Charley Palmer was crossing
the ice the treacherous stuff gave way and tn
boy went down. Fortunately he arose befor
drifting, and then began struggle for life
He grasped the ice and as often the brittl
substance broke. each time the boybeing en-
tirely submerged. This was kept up for full
15 minutes when his calls for help were an
swered and he contented himself keepin,
above the surface. After the arrival of ali
it was half hour before a rescue was accom-
plished.
Fatal Accident.
On Wednesday afternoon last, John 3
Fahringer, SON OF John Fahrin ger, living o
the Bitter farm in Liberty township, Will
out in the barnyard shooting sparrows me
with an accident which resulted in his dealt
the next day. His gun in some manner ex
ploded accidentally, the whole charge of sho
striking him in the head. It was some hour
after the accident before his body was dis
coverd and when found he was unconsciou
and remained SO until 6 o'clock Thursda
! morning when death came to his relief. Mr.
Fahringer was in the 18th year of his age
: and was an exemplary young man. Th
funeral took place on Saturday from the Re
form church in Liberty Center.
TAE5t6 Ns4