Gilpin observer., 1899-06-15
ACCIDENTAL DROWNING.
or wilmot H. Lake In the South Boulder
Last Saturday Evening.

J The citizens OF Central were terribly
shocked last Saturday night about II
o'clock, by the arrival here of Mr.. Will
liam Reed, who announced that Wilmot
H. Lake, of this city, had been drowned
in the South Boulder below Rollinsville
at $50 o'clock that evening. Mr.. Reed,
accompanied by Wilmot H. Lake left the
city about 3 o'clock that afternoon for
Eldora, for the purpose OF examining
some placer ground, both riding saddle
animals. After reaching and crossing
the county bridge over the South Boul-
der at Rollinsville, they took down the
north side Of that stream on what is
known as the roadbed Of the old Denver,
Utah and Pacific railroad.
After going down about mile they
came to a point Of rocks, which extended
nearly into the water, leaving only a
small trail to pass by. Not knowing
whether they could pass on or not, Lake
crossed the creek on foot bridge with
the idea Of taking look ahead, and
while looking around the point, a boul-
der upon which his foot was resting slip
ped and he was precipitated into the
water. At this point the creek is very
narrow, and rushes by at torrent gait,
leaving person no chance to recover
for any one to jump in to the rescue.
Lake fell on his back and was quickly
lost to sight; his friend Reed, who had
remained with the horses Immediately
followed down the creek hoping to be OF
some assistance either in assisting Lake
or in rescuing the body, but it was of no
avail, and after going up and down the
creek for distance of about two miles,
a couple of hours he started for Central,
to summon assistance. Being stran-
ger, he lost his way, and for quite while
wandered around until he met a miner
who put him on the road, reaching here
about II o'clock.
The news of Lakes sudden death soon
spread, and by II o'clock, midnight, /.
n. WEIGH, of the Register Call, Fritz J.
Altvater, of The OBSERVER, Percy r.
Alsdorf, Peter Stangier, William Reed,
David Marshall and others started on
They arrived there about 3 o'clock Sun
day morning, and as soon as it was good
daylight commenced active search for
the body of the unfortunate young man.
! After about an hour and half's search
the body was seen at $50 o'clock by /.
n. Welch lodged against some driftwood
in the center of the creek about 800 yards
below where he fell in. by hard work
the body was taken from the water and
placed on ths north side OF the creek
Mr.. Fred Gooch, postmaster of Rollins
vile, furnished a conveyance and started
with the remains for Central, arriving
here about II o'clock. In the m meantime
a portion of the rescuing party rode to
Perigo, the nearest telephone communi-
cation, VIII Are they phoned a message to
this city, as also to Boulder, of the recov-
cry of the b ,dy. Messages were also
seat to B ,uldsr to the Masonic lodge in
that city, and parties were put on watch
at the creek in Marshall t. watch for the
body should it come by, while another
party was started up the creek on the
lookout.
The grie' OF the father, wh1 has been
in i'll health for s)ns length OF time, on
receiving the news Of h s,ns untimely
death, was indeed heart rsnding, the
grief OF the mother was equally as eS-
pre- siye; the only sister, Miss Lilly Lake
taking the news with IN re conposure.
but her grief while not so expressive, it
was none the less deepseated. The ia
ther, mother and sister found kind neigh
bors and friends who comforted them
through the vigils Of the night. and since
the body was brought to the family resi-
dence, on Lawrence street, this city. In
their s I'd bereavement they have the sin
cere coincidence OF the citizens OF Cen
tral and county at large where they have
resided 80 long, and where Wimot had
grown from boyhood TO manhood.
Wilmot II. Lake was 81 years OF age,
and the only son OF Mr.. and Mrs. Byron
S. Lake, highly respected citizens OF
Central City. He was a bright, promis-
ing young man of irreproachablc charac-
acter, and had endeared himself to a
large circle OF friends and acquaintances
by his many manly virtues. He was an
honored member Of Central lodge No. @,
A. f. a. A, NJ. His uncle, Mr.. Henry
Lake, residing near Fort Logan, arrived
here Sunday evening, returning TO Den.
yer Monday afternoon, to make arrange.
ments for the interment OF his remains
at Fairmount cemetery, that city.
| The oseeouipa oc,urred yesterdpv z