Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1903-10-02
TWO BROTHERS DROWNED
Bodies Of Eza and Winnie Smith
Found in Icy Waters of Lake
Occur d'Alene.

The bodies of Eza and Winnie
Smith, who were drowned in Lake
Occur d'Alene last Saturday morn
ing, were buried in the Bethel cemetery
in this county, Tuesday afternoon.
The funeral services were held in the
Oak Grove Church, and were largely
attended by friends Of the bereaved
family.
The particulars Of the drowning Of
these two young men will never be
known, as no one was near them
when the accident happened. They
had been employed in sawmill at
Harrison, idaho, and early last Sat-
urday morning decided to take holi-
day and spend the day hunting ducks
on Lake Coeur d'Alene. They secured
boat and hunting outfit, and, bidding
their companions goodbye, started on
their trip. This was the last time
either of them was seen alive. Late
in the afternoon two men rowing on
the lake found an upturned boat float
ing on the water. They drew in a
rope attached to the boat and were
Mortified to find the body of Winnie
Smith caught in the end of the rope.
The young man had evidently fallen
from the boat and had tried to save
himself by grasping the rope, as it
was wound round his arm after pass
ing through his hand. Search for
the body Of his brother was immedi-
ately instituted, and it was soon
brought to the surface Of the water
near the place where the upturned
boat was found.
The bodies were at once prepared
for shipment to Oregon for burial,
and were accompanied on the sad
Journey by the heart-broken parents
and several friends from Washtucna,
Wash. Before leaving Harrison,
flowers were brought to where the
bodies were laid, and the whole town
turned out and followed the remains
to the depot The Masonic order fur
nished the pail bearers and marched
to the depot in body.
Arriving at Salem, Tuesday, the re-
mains were taken to the Oak Grove
church, where the funeral services
were conducted by Rev. Fl. A.
Ketchum. The church was filled to
by the old-time neighbors
and friends of the family. Rickreall
Lodge, No. ITO, A. F. and A. NJ, of
which Eza Smith was a member, at
tended the services in body. Burial
took place in the cemetery at Bethel.
The bodies were buried side by side,
the lodge laying away their deceased
brother according to the beautiful and
ritual Of the Masonic order.
Eza and Winnie Smith were sons of
Mr.. and Mrs. w. W. Smith, and were
aged 25 years and 20 years respect
lively. The family moved from Oak
Grove to Washtucna, Wash, only two
or three months ago. A short time
before moving to Washington, Mr..
and Mrs Smith lost a grown son by
death. The surviving children are
Mrs. Homer White, of Rickreall, and
a young son and daughter still living
at home.
Side by side in the quiet churchyard
at Bethel repose the mortal remains Of
the three brothers-three young men,
who, but one brief year ago, rejoicing
In their love and happy in their COM
panionship, were enjoying the sunny
of life and looking forward
with all the enthusiasm OF youth to a
bright and prosperous career-three
young men who were respected by all
who knew them, and who gave every
promise of becoming good and useful
,itizens. The heartfelt sympathy Of
he community goes out to the be-
,eaved parents in their hour Of deepest
sorrow.