The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-08-24
FAIL TO
PROTECT
BATHERS
KleemanS DrOwing due
TO Gross Care
leSSneSS
Managers Utterly Failed to.
Provide Ropes Life
PreSeTverS Boats or
Anything Else

Newport. Aug 21.--The first drown
ing at surf bathing took place at this
summer resort today at about 1880
In the forenoon. the sacrifice to the
waves being VIM. Kleeman. OF Port.
land. aged "a. who came here for an
outing with his mother and sister but
two days ago His death might have
been prevented by the ordinary ap.
pllances but none OF them were pro
vided at this bathing place. There
was not lifeline. rope. llfe-preserver.
float boat or even a plank TO shove TO
the young man as he struggled brave
ly with the waves for nearly half an
hour For several days the swells
had been very gentle. not breaking
until In almost upon the beach. the
good swimmers all riding on the
heaving billows that rolled In lazliy
and afforded ideal bathing.
There Was a Current.
Up the beach as the breakers slant.
ed slightly from the southwest. and as
there was a slight curve at the mouth
OF Nyc creek. this current turned out
TO sea about 200 feet above the creek.
and II was In this current that young
Kieeman. who was a good swimmer
and quite an athlete. was carried out
until his companions were alarmed
and he called for help. There was a
slight undertow at this place but not |
enough to take anyone on their feet.
But many OF the experienced surf bath.
ers noticed the current and moved
down the beach 100 to 200 feet. where
here was no current II was this cur.
rent carried the unfortunate young
nan out 10 sea and cost him his life
In the absence OF any llfe-saying ap.
pllances.
Several Were In Danger.
For time. aud Il looked as II there
would be succession OF tragedies for
A while. and the only wonder is that
more lives have not been lost In the /
rast. Swimmers have grown very
.areless a. this beach has had the
Of being immune from IA.
ailties. Only week ago the McMinn.
lille Presbyterian minister was car.
led out IN the same way but there
vas a heavier surf and less current
outward The crowds had grown eau. I
ious on account OF his narrow escape.
nut the young man drowned had only
'een here a day and this was his FIRST
ienture In the waves. A line snatched
'ut OF the bath house was got within
hirty feet OF him at one time. Then
he flag was hauled down and the little
Inc by which II floats at the bathing
lour was hitehed on but by this time
Nleeman was hfty feet farther out and
beyond reach Of the daring swimmers
Who we're ready To go to his rescue II
hey had only had a rope to ensure
heir getting hack to land.
excitement Was Intense
Among the crowds ON the beach
md among the several hundred bath.
ms In the water, half OF whom were
aides. and children. hut there was It,
le calling out and but few spoke as
hey watched the doomed swimmer
;oing farther and farther cut. At last
he boldest aud most daring swimmer
eft him and fought his way back TO
ward shore, himself uncertain OF ever
;cttlng In. Kleoman made noble
ight for his life. aud sustained him
'elf for a quarter OF an hour before
inally sinking out Of sight A man
With a plank, or two mon with a skin
n life preseryers might have got out
o him at any time and could have
brought him In, There was some time
ipent in trying 20 learn who had been
irowned, and there We're an sorts Of
reports that II was this young man
and that But he was finally ldenu.
he'd by Ed. Payne Of Salem who had
me, him at the hay View house. whore
hey had stayed over night.
The Mother Prostrated,
And the sister frantic with grief
oheited a grea. deal Of sympathy aud
they are remaining here In hopes OF
recovering the body. This is very
slight hope, as few are ever found.
After three days the body arises from
the gas that forms In Il, but on It's ap.
peafanee ON the surface the guils