Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-07-21
Henry Spencer and Son Clark
of Grinnell, Fall Into
Arb0r Lake
FATHER SOUGHT TO RESCUE SON
Both Fell From oasolene Launch =
Father Swan Out Then Returned to
Aid Young Man-Bost's Engine Pro-
PEELED Craft Out Of Their Reach =
Mere Prominent Bankers.
special to Times-Republican.

Grinnel, July 21.--The entire city
participates today in the grief OF the
dreadful tragedy by which wife loses
~ one stroke both husband and son.
and a daughter loses father ana oroth-
q. Henry G.. Spencer and ms son
Clark. drove down to Arbor lake In
South Grinnell just after tea last eve
ming expecting to return soon for MRS.
Spencer and all would so out upoa
the lake MI. Spencer owned hne
rasol;ne launch in which the family
and invited guests have had many
plea SAINT rides. Father and son went
out in the launch and had been, rid
fnr some time, when the young man
stood up to put on his coat. In some
way, no one knows or ever will know,
lust how, he lost his balance and weat
overheard, and the impetus given TO
the launch by his fail was sufficient
with the lurch of the boat to throw
his father out also. The engine con-
tinued to work and the launch heade
for the shore, and stuck fast in the
mud OF the bank Mr.. Spencer swan
70 the shore, but hearing his. sons cali
for help, returned to him, and both
seemed to struggle together In the
water until they went down for the last
time. Two little girls, daughters OF
John Hastings, who had charge OF the
boat house and the lake, We're near n
= row boat, and worked their boat up
within few feet of the drowning
couple at the same time calling to them
and trying to attract their attention.
"A couple of women were on the hill
east OF the lake near the house OF
Mr.. Howard and saw the tragedy, put
were powerless to avert it. They ran
TO the nearest telephone and help WAS
summoned from the city as soon as
possible. The news spread like wild
FIRE and soon seemingly half the
town was at the lake. 1t WAS nearly
or quite an hour before the bodies
were recovered. and probably nearly
two hours more before the efforts to
resuscitate the bodies were given up
in despair The loss OF life was so
sudden, SO unexpected and SO ter
rible in its popularity, and
affected so wide range of people be-
cause of the business position OF Mr..
Spencer. bringing him in daily contact
with so many, that all feel 1t almost as
= personal blow Mr.. and Mrs. Spen-
Ger had been back but day or two
from a visit they had been making in
the west. and this is probably the first
visit any OF the family had made to
the lake since their return. Had the
tvao men been in a rowboat they could
IN all probability have saved them
selves by clinging to the boat. But the
machinery OF the launch at once pro-
PEELED 1t beyond their reach and left
them with no resource but the ability
20 swim. It is said that the young man
had not been feeling well for some
time previous, and II might easily be
that he was overcome by sudden
dizziness as he rose in the boat. The
bodies were taken to the home and due
announcement will be made OF ar
rangements for the final ceremonies.
Henry c. Spencer was man OF
about 81 years OF age and has been In
che First National bank almost since
his boyhood. Upon the death of his
father, who was accidentally killed in
Denver In 1893, he was made cashier of
the bank, trust to which he has been
faithful. He was for a number of
years the efiicient captain of Company
X, /. N. G..
Clark Cpencer, about 25 years OF age
was q graduate OF Iowa College, In the
class OF 1900, went into the bank as
bookkeeper and was promoted to as
eistant cashier when S. ]. Pooley left
the First National to become cashier OF
the Savings bank.
Mr.. II. c. Spencer has brother. L
D. Spencer, living in Chicago. formerly
In the Citizens bank here, and sister.
Mrs. Mary e. Dudley, living in Mani
4ou. Col, where Mr.. and Mrs. Spencer
3 III iaif ixarH