Waterbury Democrat., 1902-07-10
DROWNING OF SULLIVAN
Story Told By His Brother To-
 Day at Democrat Office.

He Rocked the Boat Which Contained
 Himself and Two Others-All were
 Thrown into the Water, But He Was
 the Only One to Perish Fruitless
 Search Thus Far for the Bodyc
 Laughing and joking and tWitting 9 companion about being afraid of the water, that was the way John l.. Sul- liyan, formerly of this city, went down to his death i'll the waters of Jamaica pond shortly after noon on Monday. Patrick, q brother of the dead man, ar rived in Waterbury last night, expect Ing to be the first to break the sad news to his mother and sister, but he found that the press dispatches had preceded him and the unfortunate tale had already been told. The story is q sad one, made more painful by the fact that diligent search has not yet brought the body of the unfortunate young man to the surface.
 The three Sullivan brothers, Patrick, Dennis and the dead man, John L., lived together in Boston at 21 Spring field street. Patrick was well known, as were the other brothers, in this city. atrick left here only five or six years ago. He was member when here of the St Joseph's T. A. society and Court Wolf Tone,of which he was at one time chief ranger. John L., the dead man, left Waterbury about twelve years ago.
 While a resident of this city he was known as somewhat of an athlete and possessed considerable strength. He was at one time a member of the Brooklyn Athletic club. At the time of the fatal accident he weighed in the neighborhood of POO pounds and was 29 years of age. He was a member of several societies in F,a1l River, Mass. among them being the Tammany So- cial club, the Hibeuians and the F. of A. The brother Patrick tells the story of the drowning as follows:
 John l.. had been working at his trade of mason in New Hampshire, where job was being done by a Bos- ton firm who employed him. The work had beer completed and he had re- turned home to Boston He decided to take a weeks vacation and on Monday, with Maurice Slattery and William W1xted, they hired a rowboat and started to go out fishing in Jamaica pond. This was about 1920. They had roWed about tnree-quarters of a
 
 which cost Sullivan his life. The de- ceased had been always fond of joking and once out on the water he began to rock the boat and soon had Slattery very much scared Seeing that the rocking did cause Slattery a scare he increased it, laughing and joking Stat tery about being afraid. While still rocking the boat he lost his balance and plunged over the side and went be- heath the waters. Slattery could not swim a stroke, nor could Sullivan. Wixted. however, was a good swim mer, and he immediately dove after Sullivan who had sunk to the bottom. He grappled with him and tried hard to bring him to the surface. but Sulli- van was heavy man and Wixted was only slight built fellow. His eff forts to force him to the top were un- availing and Wixted himself began to feel the effects of being under water. He arose himself to the top and was only able to hold on to the edge of the boat while Slattery rowed into shore. At once the news of the accident was given to the authorities and search was immediately instituted.
 Patrick and Dennis, the two brothers of the dead man, joined in fne search lS SOOn dS uOlIIl0u, d1u D0SIuoS Jue regular and harbor police boats there were other boats with friends of the dead man using every effort to find the body. Altogether ten boats are still grappling for the body. The two brothers searched all Monday night and most of yesterday. Patrick finally decided to come to Waterbury and no- tify his mother and sister of the par ticulars The mother, Mrs Ellen Sul- livan lives with her daughter, Mrs John Akins, at 3 Hickory street Un- less word comes that the body isNfound Patrick will return to Boston to con tinue the search. He said it may be difficult to find it, as in some places the water is ninety feet deep.