Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-04-04
STILL In THE'DEEP.
The Bodies Of Leigh johnson and
Fingal Hill Not Found.
A Faithful Scar en- From the Time OF
the Distressing Accident TO the
Present Fails TO Locate
the Va fortunate Young
Men.

prominent young men, brief mention of
which was made in Saturday evenings
ARGUS, has thrown gloom of sadness
over two happy homes, and the bereaved
parents have the sympathy of the entire
community in their sffiiction.
The four young men, Leigh Johnson,
Fingal Hill Harry Cook and Roy Head,
had gone out for 81 afternoon sail in a
boat belonging to the last named Young
man. They started out from the foot of
Thirteenth street and were going down
the river. When about opposite the foot
of Ninth street one of the occupants
changed his position, which caused the
boat to dip water slightly, and heavy
wave that followed caused the boat to
capsize. The wind was high and the
waves were very choppy, and when the
young men were thrown into the water
their frs thought was to cling to the
boat. This they did, ar d their cries for help
were heard a moment after by Martin
Remley and James Thomas, who were
working near the river front. and as soon
as possible launched a skiff and started to
their rescue. Their progress was slow,
however, as the rough condition Of the
river made ii almost impossible to
pull boat through the waves.
Their boat would dip water every
few rods and it looked for time as
though they would not be able to reach
tie unfortunate young men who by this
time were benumbed with the cold. A
number Of men working in the pillow
works saw the boat capsiz,, but SIS no
more SIX is could be obtained they were
powerless to render any assistance, and
the struggle OF the rescuing party was
watched in bresthless suspense. The
rescuers worked with a will, and despite
the lsshing waves which every moment
threatened 10 over!urn their own craft,
they finally succeeded in getting within q
few feet of the young men in their peril
GUS position. They all managed to hold
to the boat until the rescuers were almost
to thea, when the two who lost their
lives w9re seen to loose their holds and
sink out of sight.
A sharp lookout was kept for their re-
turn 70 the surface, but neither came up
again. 1t is not known exactly how the
young men were situated, bat the theory
is that Johnson and Hill were on the side
OF the boat facing the waves which dashed
into their faces, and being strsngled and
benunb bed with the cold they let 60 their
hold;on the boat, perhaps not realizing
it when they did so. The boat in which
Renley and Thomas had gone to the res
cue was almost full Of water, and know
ing Ii at it would be hazardous to attempt
to take the other two into the
boat, Thomas grasped both by their
coats and held their heads above water,
while Remley, his companion, started to
pull to shore. Frank Wogel, who had in
the meantime procured smother boat
came to the assistance of the latter, or i,
is doubtful if they would all have reached
shore safely. Head and Cook
were taken to the engine room
of the pillow works, where they were
given dry clothing and later taken to
their homes.
Messrs. Remley and Thomas are de-
serving Of great credit for their heroic
act, as to them the young men who were
saved undoubtedly owe their lives. Theil
| trip to the rescue was a hazardous one
and in the face of the impending dan
ger would not have been undertaken by
everyone. A search for the bodies was
Immediately begun and kept up during
the night. while anxious friends kept con-
slant vigil along the shore in the hopes
thai the only solsce that can now be Of
fered the sorrOwing ones. which is the
recovery of the bodies, could be given
them, but efforts in this direction have so
far been futile.
hNot Leigh Johnson, the only son OF
Walter Johnson, editor of the Union, and
wife. was IS years of age. just Yerging
into manhood. He would have
graduated from the High school next
June, and as he had always shown a
close application to his studies and de-
sire for scientific pursuits, be was looked
upon by his instructors as developing ev
licences Of an unusually bright future.
He was popular with his clas smates and
his less is terrible blow to his parents.
Fingal Hill, like his com panion in
death. was about the same age and also
young man who gave promise
OF useful manhood. He was
q student at the High school
until about q year ago when he entered
Augustans College preparatory to fitting
himself for the medical profession, for