The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-31
a DISTRESSING ACCIDENT
IITTLE SON OF SMILEY y. CHAMBERS
DROWNED IN FALL CREEK.
Fatality Occurred Near Where the
Black Brothers Met Death
Few Weeks Ago.

Smiley Chambers. jr., the nine-year-old
son of Smiley n. Chambers, was drowned
yesterday afternoon in Fall creek near the
end of College avenue, near the place
where the Black brothers were recently
drowned and where a half dozen persons
nave gone down during the last year or
two The little fellow was wading about
In the shallow water with his clothes on
and had his dog. q large water spaniel,
swimming about him. There were several
Of the boys playmates with him and their
story of the affair is that the dog in its
FRANKS jumped on the boy and bore him
under the water. The current carried him
down to deep water and when he arose it
was to find himself in water over his head.
He could not swim, his playfellows could
not assist him and no grown person was
within reach of him. He persisted in the
sight of his frightened playmates.
Merchant Policeman Charles F. Reno,
who lives in the neighborhood of the place
where the drowning occurred, was passing
along the bank of the creek and heard
the agonized cries of the boys as their
comrades danger became apparent to them.
Reno called to some colored men who were
driving by in a wagon and ran to rescue
the boy. lie plunged into the water with
out removing any of his clothing and made
a heroic effort to save the little fellow,
but 1t was too late. He himself came very
near losing his life and had it not been
for the colored men who arrived in time
TO lend him hand there would have been
a double drowning.
The distressing news was carried to the
Chambers home shortly after the accident
happened and the father hurried frantical-
ly to the scene of the tragic happening.
The body had not yet been recovered and
the scene on the creek bank was a dis
tresSing one. Charles T. Whitsett, the
funeral director, notified and he sent
two men in {. wagon to find the body.
They dived and dragged the creek, but
were unable to locate it. They telephoned
to the office for dynamite and Mr.. Whitsett
made an effort to get some, but was I'M
able to do so and when he returned to
the office at $50 o'clock he learned that the
body had been recovered. Charles Will
liams, Andrew Brown and Benjamin Roth,
from the undertaking establishment, and
James Boswell had been working in the
water ever since they reached the spot and
at $40 o'clock they brought up the body
considerable distance below the place it
went down.
The body was taken in Whitsett's con-
Veyance to the family residence, 294 (old)
College avenue, and prepared for burial.
The time for the funeral has not yet been
set
The place where the boy was drowned
is a dangerous one. but Notwithstanding
and young men who go swimming there.
1t is a secluded spot. 1t is said by those
who have examined the place that there
is a deep pool there which is very treach-
erouS and would tax the strength of the
strongest swimmer to swim through II.
George W. Powell, superintendent of po
lice, said last night that he believed the
city authorities ought to take the matter
in hands and either stop people going into
the water at that point or do something to
protect them if they do go in. The City
against infection. Why should it not guard
against so great a danger as this pool"