The weekly intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1891-1901, 1896-08-08
ROWNE WHILE BATHING.
Young IRWIN Kriehn Loses His Life
in Sand Prairie Lake.

Young IRWIN Kriehn Loses His Life
in Sand Prairie Lake.
The saddest accident that has happened
in this community for any months
occurred last Wednesday, the result OF
which was the death of one of the bright
est and most popular young men in the
city. On that day Lyman Reeder and
Irwin, son of MIR. Frank Kriehn, went on
Il fishing excursion to Sand Prairie, a
small lake in Ray county about three
miles from the ferry landing. Arriving
there they cast their lines into the water
and for a time enjoyed themselves in
fishing. The weather being very warm
they soon became tired of the sport and
concluded to take a bath in the cool
waters. After divesting themselves Of
their clothing they plunged into the lake
and started to swim across. At this
point it is about forty yards wide and
very deep. In fact this is said to be the
only deep place in the lake. They had
almost reached She opposite shore when
Irwin called to Lyman and said he was
unable to swim any longer. Lyman
bravely turned back to assist him and
had succeeded in getting the drowning
boy on his back but was unable to hold
hin up. Irwin struggled to keep hold of
his friend, but as neither of them could
swim very well he did not succeed, and
despite Lyman's heroic efforts Irwin
Ioosened his hold upon him and sank to
the bottom OF the lake in fourteen feet of
water. This occurred when they were
only about twelve feet from the bank.
Seeing his young friend disappear Lyman
at once SWAN to the shore, secured a
mail log and pushing it into the water
swan with it to the place where he had
last seen Irwin. He thought it likely
that he would come to the surface, when
the log would be of service in getting him
to the shore. The water was too deep for
him to dive to the bottom. A strong
swimmer might have done so, but Lyman
is a poor swimmer at best, and though he
made the attempt he could not touch the
bottom where Twins body lay. He then
tried to reach the body with his fishing
pole, but found that to be a mere waste
of time. Leaving the water he hastily
ran down the roa which here winds
along near the lake, and fortunately met
Mr.. Geo. King and Mr.. Henry Gelzer, of
this city, who were going to another part
OF the lake to fish. They all ran to the
spot where Irwin had gone down, but
were unable to do anything toward
recovering the body. Later it was recov-
cred and brought to this city, where news
of the deplorable occurrence had already
been received. The parents of the young
man were frantic with grief, and kind
friends fastened to the family residence
on Main street to console with them.
The body was brought over from the lake
in a herdic, and was received at the
residence about 4 O'Clock in the afternoon.
The greatest sorrow was expressed by all
who had known the unfortunate young
man., as he was a universal favorite, of
Kind and obliging disposition, courtly in
tanners and thoroughly reliable in all
things. He was at the time of his death
| associated in business with William
Hollingsworth, a young man of about
his own age, and they had succeeded in
building up a good trade in feed stuffs.
Irwin was the eldest child of his parents,
and was almost idolized by them. He
had received a fine education, and gave
promise of making a mark for himself as
a business man. The funeral occurred
Thursday evening from the family resi-
dence, the services being conducted by
Rev. Richard Ellerby, rector of Christ's
Episcopal church. An immense con-
course of friends of the family accom-
panied the remains to the cemetery, the
cortege being one of the most imposing
witnessed in Lexington for many months.
The unhappy parents of the dead boy
boya tho cinaoroof ,poNaFAfao ~ oil In
this sad hour of their affiiction. A friend
OF the family sent in the following
tribute; which we publish with pleasure:
"Seldom has q blow fallen upon a ia mily
more suddenly or with more crushing
force than that by which young Irwin
Kriehn was snatched from among the
living and numbered with the dead.
There has probably never been born and
raised in Lexington a boy who has given
more promise of o bright and successful
future. He was moral and we'll disposed,
pleasant in manners to all, intelligent and
disposed to learn and cultivate his mind,
and he especially gave promise of being a
straightforward and successful man of
business. Going out for a days recrea-
ton, he ventured unwisely into a pool of
cold water, was seized with a cramp, and
notwithstanding the brave efforts of his
companion, Lyman Reeder, he was in O
few moments a ~lifaless corpse. To the
parents who parted from their promising
son who was full OF all the hopes and
promise of bright youth, and to whom his
~lifeless body was brought back a few
hours later, such a blow comes with INDIE
scribably cruel and crushing force. For
them the sincerest sympathies of the COM
munity go out"