New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1903-06-17
HIS STROLL WAS FATAL.
Fred Roedig Walked into River
and Lost His Life.
Was Drowned Sunday in Mime
sofa Near Cambria.
Had Wealthy Parents Living in
New Alsace, Indiana.

s.CdIllHS 10 his companions thaJ ne
would join them on the opposite side
OF the river and with a jest upon his
lips, Fred Roedig, a farm laborer, de-
liberately walked out into the Mime
sofa near Cambria Sunday afternoon
and lost his life. After reiterating the
statement that he could walk to the
Nicollet shore, about $50 feet distant,
he stepped forward, was seized with
cramps and persisted in about Is feet
of water.
Roedig, who was employed as a
farm hand by D. L. Williams of Cam
bria, went fishing near the latter's
place Sunday with several friends.
The spot they selected was on Mr..
Williams land and about mile from
Courtland village. While at the river
a second party came down on the top,
posite bank and cast their. lines into
the stream. Among the later corners
was E. V. Evans, Roedig's chum, and
the latter called to him to cross over
to the Blue Earth bank.
When Evans declined Roedig said:
"Alright, I'll walk over, = and started
down the bank. Claude Smith, another
hired man, stood near and expostu-
lated with Roedig. Fred he said,
'you can't walk over there but his
companion was obdurate and replied;
''Why, yes I CAM Fully dressed as
he was, Roedig waded out into the
water. For a few feet his progress
was steady, then he stepped off be-
yond his depth. Almost instantly he
reappeared and shouted: ''Boys, I'm
coming" then vanished, for the last
time. The entire affair was over in a
twinkling, almost before the young
men nearest him could make a move
toward the spot.
Thetragedy occurred about l. O'Clock
in the afternoon and Mr.. Williams was
Immediately notified. He wired to
Roedig's parents and the Blue Earth
county authorities. At six O'Clock in
the evening Coroner Kennedy and
Sheriff Williams of MankatO, reached
the scene, bringing graphing hooks.
Sheriff Williams took charge of the
searching party and within ten minutes
the body, was recovered. From the
effects of the cramp one hand was
tightly clenched, but there was a very
small amount Of water in the lungs.
What possible motive could have in
spired Roedig to take the rash risk lis
not known and is impossible to con-
ceive. He had been drinking during
the morning but his companions main
tain that he was far from intoxicated
when he met death. They believed he
was testing and even when he walked
out into the water did not take him
seriously. Their first, comprehension
of his danger was when he sank from
sight and then it was too late to render
him assistance, as Roedig was the
only one of their. number who could
swim.
The deceased was about "a years of
age and had been employed by Mr..
Williams for more than a year. He
was of German descent and an indus
trious young man, although given to
INDUCING in strong drink at intervals.
In his pocket was found "a letter from
his mother. It was dated at New
Alsace, Ind, and was written in Ger
man script, Offering him good farm
if he would only consent to return
home. It is known that his parents
were wealthy, as he had frequently told
of his Indiana home and Of running
away from it to come west.
Before the body was taken from the
river Mr. Williams had wired the
young mans father of his fate, also
communicating with Undertaken Klein
of Mankato, and ordering him to
take charge Of the corpse. tits likely
that the remains will be taken to Indi-
ana for interment.
Monday afternoon Mr.. Williams re-
ceived a telegram from Cincinnati in
forming him that Roedig's parents had
moved away from New Alsace and
were now located in either Cincinn att,
Ohio, or Indianapolis, Ind. He has.
however, learned the address of
brother in Cincinnati end will consult
him regarding the disposition to be
made of the remains. It has been
learned that Roedig's principal reason
for leaving home was that he did not
wish to marry a young lady selected
for him by his parents.
Atelephone message from Courtland
received yesterday by the Review states
that Mr.. and Mrs. Roedig now live at
Westburg, Ind. They have started for
Minnesota and will take the body of
their son home with them.
i Change of Time.
The Minneapolis and ST. Louis r. r.
will change the time of trains Is, i 6, 90
and 80 on Sunday, June 14th, to a