The sun., 1901-08-12
MET DEATH
IN DEEP POOL
Howard and Aubrey Downward
Drowned While Swimming.
FORMERLY OF THIS CITY
Sons of Benjamin H. Downward.
Distracted Father Attempted to
Jump Into Water After Bodies
of His Children.

Howard and Aubrey Downward, sons
Of Benjamin III. Downward, who resided
in this city until a year ago, We're drown
I'd late Saturday ar-ernoon in one of
three pools Of water near SiNty.llin.l Ii and
Brewster avenue, Philadelphia, without
II word of warning or Il chance of be-
ing saved,
These miniature lakes mark the way
of the Old Cross Channel and tleir
trracherous depths have claimed vie
Tins by the score ere this. The Down
wards We're expert swimmers and the
| I,randywinc and Christiana had been
| their Fairgrounds since early childhood.
| The pool in which they were drowned is
known to the boys Of the naishhurhood
/ as Frnhe,a's Lake and is thirty feet
deep in places.
| The boys walked from their home, M.
| 500 PaSchall avenue across the m.a-
/, lows and across the Reading tra, Ks To
| the avenue and thence to the pool. the
centre one of the three, between the
lrailroad and the Schuylkill river. They
wcr, alone and hurriedly undressillg
made run and u jump into the inviting
pool. They were oyerhcatcd from walk
ing and as soon as their bodies touched
/
heir limbs stffencd and the shock be-
nmnhrd their senses They went down
Ito The muddy bottom of the lake without
jhaving n chance for their lives.
| A passcr-by sew their clothes on the
bank and reported the find to the police
If the Thirty second district. About tbs
time he parents became anxious rs t.
their Whereabouts as they failed to 'e
/ turn for supper. When the word Was
Ipasscd FROM mouth to mouth thtt two
boys hal been drowned in FrnherS's
Lake. Mr.. Downward started post haStt
ni the spos.
/ As Mr. Downward reached the poo
he patrol wagon from the Thirty seconl
| district with Sergeant Curtis and siS
,ther officers drove NJ with beat ho ks
,hains al.d irorS. A glance ut the cloth
ing on the bank told Mr.. Downward ~
he needed to know and he ;hrew off, nj,
| ..oat ana attempted to jump into TIN
water after tn. bodies ot his only child
ron
Policemen Davis and Cross seized th,
distracted father and tried to lead hin
tway. He threw them off like children
md fought his way to the bank again
The big hearted Policemen restrained
him from making fGnlhardy temp
that would have cost him his life All,
accomplished nothing, but They had t,
rive him n battle to keep him ont o
he water. He fought them ~ II fa
his very life hut was finally oyerpowerc,
md induced to leave the work of reseu
in the experienced hands of the rolice.
Policemen Peter Need and A Waldov
took the hooks and iron; and after f1n
hnnrs' work hauled mp the body .
Howard, the youngest son.
The body was found in the position i
truck the water, arms extended. fee
together and palms touching. all indicat
ing that the boy was paralyzcd the in
tant his warm body touched the water
There was nothing about it that suggest
I'd struggle ~ even pain. His dealt
was instantaneous TO all outward no
pearanceS.
Years ago the bed of the Schuylliil
river lay on n line with these pools
The banks broke time and time ngai
ma each break changed the course G
the river until wide strtch Of lam
separated the site of The original yhannt
from The he'd of the river Springs op Il
I'd and filled the pools with ciear, col
water ard it was this extremely col
water rather than the depth Of the pao
that proved fatal to the boys.
Both boys We're well-known III WI
mington. Howard was aged ahnut l
vtnrs and Aubrey is years. Hnwal
was a invorite in musical circles rs Ii
was i'm expert mandolin player and hi
services was in great demand
Their father. who is n contractor an
builder, formerly lived at No. 712 Wash
in.ton street
The boys uncle. William G. Down
ward Of No. 1924 Market street and Mr.,
Downward. their aunt. We're notified 1T
Saturday night of the drowning and wei
10 philadelphia yesterday.
Alfred downward. of New Castle ny
nue ana James Downward of No. 81
Jefferson street are lncles of the drow.
, cd boys.