The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-08-14
HIS LAST PLUNGE,
Judge Il, A. wiawall Drowned While
Bathing at Seaside.

Judge e. A. Wiswall of Vancouver
Washington, was drowned at Seaside
while bathing Sunday morning
There is something terrible about the
sudden taking from our midst Of any
person, especially one who seems so full
of health and happiness as did Judge
Wiswall. The accident occurred at II
o'clock, just as the tide was beginning
to ebb very strong, and a terrific un-
dertow had set in.
He had been in the habit Of going in
bathing every day during his months S
sojourn at Seaside, and being an excel
lent swimmer would often venture far
beyond the lifelines. His wife had
warned him repeatedly not to risk the
breakers, but he always laughed pleas
antly at her fears, and assured her
that there was no danger. On this oc-
casion she repeated her warning and
entreated him not to go in, which he
half consented not to do, but the sight
of half hundred others sporting in
the surf was too much for him, and
tossing his coat to his wife, who was
sitting on the sand with party of
friends, he ran to the waters edge and
plunged into the surf. Attorney w. B.
billiard, of ST. Helens, accompanied
Judge Wiswall out to where the water
was deep enough to swim in, and being
daring swimmer himself, started out
boldly for the biggest combers in sight.
He was soon fifty yards ahead OF the
judge, and noticing that heavy cur
rent had set in, turned and swan for
shore. 1t was hard struggle, and
more than once the thought of drown
ing occurred to him. AS he came up
with Judge Wiswall the latter cried for
help, as he was fast giving out. Mr..
billiard realized that it was case of
life and death with himself, as the un-
dertow was f'becoming stronger and
stronger. He made another effort and
reached place where he could stand,
at the same time calling loudly for as
sistance. He called back to his friend
to take it easy as help would soon
reach him.
Jack, Pete and Mace Grant, three ex.
cellent swimmers, had just gone out
and were in their bath rooms. They
happened to see the drowning man
throw up his arms. and rushing out
and down to the water, swan all about
the place where the unfortunate man
had disappeared.
1t was a brave act on the part of the
Grant boys, for 1t was only after des-
perate struggle that the succeeded in
again reaching shore. A boat was
hastily secured from the Necannicum
and an attempt made to launch it, but
without avail. James Astrup, of this
city, was in the boat, and deserves
great credit for the risk he took in at
tempting to get out over the breakers.
He picked up Jack Grant, who was
TO swim against the awful current run
ming at the time
Mrs. Wiswall was standing on the
beach all this time a Mortified specta-
tor, watching the struggles of her hus-
band. For an hour afterward she walk
ed the beach, carrying her child, weep
ing as only heartbroken woman can
The body has not been found and
probably will not for several days.
In speaking of the sad affair, Mr..
billiard said that it seemed that he and
Judge Wiswall were caught in great
whirlpool, four or five hundred feet in
diameter. He thinks it only lasted but
ten minutes, but he was fortunate
enough to be on the very outer edge. ,
Judge q. A. Wiswall was about So ;
years Of age, having been born in Iowa.
He attended the college at Grinnell,
where he met Miss Loretta Ney, to
whom he was subsequently married.
He was a graduate of the law depart
ment of the Iowa State University, and,
Immediately after graduation, came to
Vancouver, five years ago, and began
the practice of his profession. His
merit as citizen and lawyer We're
speedily recognized, and he soon acquir-
cd leading position at the bar. He
was the law partner of w. w. McCre-
Gle. Two years ago he was nominated
by the Democrats as superior judge of |
the Vancouver district, and he was
elected though the district is Republic
csn. His elevation to the bench was a
deserved testimonial of the very high !
esteem he was held in by all who knew
him. He made a most creditable record
as a Judge, and and the future seemed
10 have in store for him higher honors.
A widow and one child survive MIN.
They are at the beach.
OLNEY NOTES. !