The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-08-23
LIVES LOST
IN THE BAY.
Leon Knarpp Drowned at Harbor
View.
N. J. Kate, q Stevedore, Also Perished in Full
View Of Rescuers-Heroic Deeds
Of Brave Men.

A sad case OF drowning took place at Har-
Dor View yesterday, making the third which
has taken place there within two months.
This time it was German named Leon
Knarpp, who was about twenty years OF
age.
Knarpp, who worked as bartender for
his uncle, II. H. Meyer. at 44S Bush street.
left his home to enjoy a pleasant day at
Harbor View. Being fair swimmer, he
no sooner saw the water than he had de-
sire to enter the bath-house. After en-
tering tie water he SWAN around for some
time, but soon left the crowd of swimmers
around him and went out ON the beach be-
yond the bath-house.
When about ten yards from shore he
was seized with sudden cramp, and
throwing his arms in the air, sank. Over a
hundred people witnessed the occurrence,
which took place about $3.50 o'clock in the
afternoon.
E. F. Winfield, young man employed
in the press-rooms of THE CALL, happened
to be at Harbor View when the accident took
place. and hearing the cry of the sinking
swimmer, rushed toward the SPOT. He met a
young man named Edward Belcher and in
quired what was the matter.
LOCAllNd LIE StOIs
He was told, and saw about sixteen
swimmers make Intellectual attempts to To-
cate the spot where Knarpp had sunk. VIM
field happens to be one of the best swimmers
in the city, ard is well versed in all matters
pertaining to drowning accidents, hav-
ing given particular attention and study to
the subject. Winfield saw that life was
at stake, when he perceived the futile eff
f.rtc of hn CsEFIt M fn II
Ing man before life was extinct.
Quick as flash he pulled off his coat and
vest and gave them to Belcher to hold, and
before anybody could surmiSe his intention
plunged into the water and made for the
spot where he had been told Knapp had
sunk.
As he had all his clothes on, with the ex-
cepti0n of his coat and vest, those who saw
the deed soon awakened to the fact that a
determined and active man, who knew the
value of human life, had resolved TO make
all effort to save 1t.
IN EIGHT FEET OF WATER.
Winfield dived. and in about eight feet OF
water found the object of his search. He
was lying with lis stomach down. Winfield
passed under the body and managed to
place it on his shoulders, coming to the sur
face the while. He only weighs 80 pounds,
while Knarpp weighed $50. In trying TO
assist Winfield to float the body, the great
only kept the poor boy under water.
Winfield had TO struggle greatly with the
swimmer to prevent the BODY from again
sinking, but he held on TO the body, and
finally managed to swim with 1t toward the
shore. When near the shore line ii was
taken to the platform, and Winfield stated
that he felt the pulse and found signs OF
life. Knarpp had not been under water for
more than two minutes, and he knew there
were cases of rcsuseitation even after
eleven minutes of submersion; consequently
there was hope.
FATE WAS AGAINST KNARPP.
Accordingly, dripping and exhausted as
Winfield was, be began to give directions
what to do, because this is subject with
which lie is perfectly familiar. But it seems
fate was against the poor boy, who lay
upon the beach with but spark of life
in his inanimate form. An of1iclous pc
liceman who was present roughly pushed
charge Of the case, preventing further in
structiOnS which might have saved knarpp's
life.
Winfield himself was too exhausted after
his struggle in the water to 60 through the
operations necessary himself, so that when
the Post Surgeon of the Preside arrived.
half an hour after the rescue, he pro-
nounced life extinct. Had the policeman
given Winfield a chance to order what
should be doue, knarpp might be alive to.
day.
INDIGNATION EXPRESSED.
The Curoner's office was communicated
with and the body removed to the Morgue.
KnG7pp is well spoken of by all who knew
him 5ad his uncle states that he leaves a
mother in Germany and that when lie would
have arrived at his majority there was 4
large sum of money for him which had been
left him by his father.
There was considerable indignation ex-
pressed by the people who Witnessed the
drowning at the paueity OF protection for
swimmers in case of accident.
There is quite q Instance from the bath
house to the parbor View entrance. and 1t
took coRsiderable time to bring a glass of
brandy down to the bath-house to be used
ip fesuscitation.