The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1895-08-03
The RIVER VICTIMS
TWO ORPHAN HOME BOYS
DROWNED.
while Bathing in the BeAverheasl
RAver-Ventured beyond their Depth
How it Happened-Verdict Of the
COroner's Jury

TWIN BRIDGES, Aug. 1.-[Special
Correspondence. Our people were
shocked on last Saturday afternoon,
when word was circulated that two Or
phans had been drowned in the river.
A score of willing men went at once to
the spot, about mile below town on
the Beaverhead, to aid in finding the
bodies of the unfortunate boys. Those
who We're at the inquest held by JUS
tice Gould, heard the following state
ments: MIR. Frank Waters, who is an
employee at the home and care-taker
Of the boys, took II of the larger boys
and went for bath. This was their u.s.
ual custom. but instead of going to the
slough, as before, they concluded to try
the river at sand bank about one
mile below. To guard against any ac-
cident that might occur, rope, about
40 feet long, was taken. Upon reach
ing the water all prepared for swim,
Mr.. Waters included. Several of the
boys, including Adolph La Plante
(known as "Duffy') age 13, and Pat
rick Croghan known as ("Pat,") aged
II, were ready before Mr.. Waters.
They were anxious to try the water, 50
he told them they might if they would
take hold of the rope to prevent
accident. A loop was then made in
one end of the rope. Duffy" being
about the largest, took the loop, while
''Pat," with others held the land end
The river runs about north, the east
side has rapid current and the west
is in the form of an eddy during low
water. Duffy started toward the east
bank, being on the west, but found too
much gravel, he then circled toward
the west until he came to the sand. the
water was about two-feet deep: as soon
as Duffy reached sand bottom he ex-
claimed. "Oh, I've found sand, boys, it's
just fine" At the same time he dropped
the rope, as did the boys on the land.
Pat, with several others, rushed into
the water, Mr.. Waters called, 'come
back boys, come back!" and all but
Duffy and Pat returned, these two
waved their hands and jumped further
into the water. The descent was grad
ual but soon reached deep water; the
boys were soon beyond their limit. Mr..
Waters grabbed the rope and sprang
into the water, the boys were about so
feet from him and before he could
reach them, they had gone down the
second time, the extra exertion he
made was too much for him, and the
next moment he found himself in a
bent, cramped position, under water.It
was now a case of saving himself or
perish with the boys, and after sinking
the second time, he reached shallow
water.
Other boys were sent for aid, boat
was secured and after three hours the
bodies were found. To secure them,
rakes were used, and when located,
Hiram Blinn dived for them. Van
Gould assisted in getting them to the
shore.
The bodies were conveyed to the
Home, whore they remained until Mon
day afternoon. Funeral services were
conducted by Rev. S. A. Oliver, and
the bodies now lay side by side in the
grave.
The death of these two boys marks
some peculiar co-incidents; they both
came from Cascade county at the same
time; both are sons of widows; they
were the first boys registered at the
homo and were the first to die; they
came together; they played together,
they died together.
The coroner's jury returned a verdict
of accidental drowning while bath
ing"