The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-24
ONE MORE DROWNED.
Xavier Brucker Lost His Life
While Swimming.
His Body Recovered Near the Spot Where
Six Victims of the Waves Once Washed
Ashore-saturday's Cases.

Deputy Coroner Brdgewood returned to
the Morgue at o'clock yesterday morning
after drive OF fifteen miles, with the body
of the man who was drowned on the beach
near the Six-mile House The unfortunate
man, who was the third to meet death be-
meath the waves Saturday, was Xavier
Brueker, Swiss, aged IS years, and en-
ployed as milkman at Johnson's ranch on
the San Bruno road.
About IL o'clock Saturday morning
Brucker, who was a well-built, muscular
young man and fine specimen of physical
development, went to the beach to take a
swim in the surf, as he had often done be-
fore, He was known to be an expert
swimmer, and his companions, who re-
manned at work upon the ranch, half mile
away, had no misgiyings when they saw
him dive beneath the waves and strike out
with strong, steady stroke. When about
fifty yards from the shore. where the water
Is three fathOms deep, Brucker suddenly
disappeared beneath the waves. In few
moments he arose TO the surface, and the
men who watched him from the ranch were
startled when they saw that he again sank
without any apparent effort to save HIM
self. If he shouted for assistance the men
on the ranch did not hear 1t because they
were too far away.
SANK FOR THE LAST TINE.
Realizing that some calamity had befallen
their companion, the men ran with all
speed possible to the beach, but the daring
swimmer did not again arise To the surface
The scene OF the unfortunate youth s
death was within a stones throw of the
lodges of the rocks where the bodies of six
victims of the capsizing Of a Whitehall
boat were washed ashore in December,
1889. The boat contained six merry young
or Tod fAr Ia ,rcio an,
Christmas day and was swamped by a
squall. Three hung on TO the keel of the
upturned craft for hours, but were washed
off and drowned during the gale.
1t is believed that young Brucker was
seized with cramps and rendered powerless
10 make an effort to regain the shore. The
position of his arms when the body was re-
covered disseminated this belief.
Frank and Antoine Brucker. brothers of
the deceased, who own an interest in a
cured boat and made every effort 10 Ie-
cover the remains. They were unsuccess-
full, however, and rowed sadly back to the
beach.
THE BODY RECOVERED.
John Mau, another rancher, resumed the
search, and, after graphing until nearly
midnight. finally secured the body and
towed it ashore. Then he walked three
miles over the hills to South San Francisco
and telephoned the fact of the recovery of
the body to the Morgue.
In addition TO the two brothers, Brucksr
left an uncle, who keeps hotel, and a
sister living in Sacramento. AS the rela-
tives are satisfied that death was accidental
no inquest will be held. The funeral will
occur tomorrow.
The relatives of Leon Karpp. the youth
who was drowned at Harbor View Satur-
day, turned his remains over to the under
taker yesterday. They are also satisfied
that death was accidental, and the Coroner
will not hold an inquest.
Several boatmen spent considerable time
Yesterday in trying to recover the body of
NJ. j. Kate, the stevedore who fell off Spear
street Wharf and lost his life in the waves.
The bay was dragged with grappling-rons
in all directions. but without avail. Kate
was recent arrival, and seems to have had
no friends or relatives here. The boatmen are
anxious to secure the reward Of $40 paid by
DaY.