The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1905-07-14
TWO SITTERS DROWNED
Jennie and Winifred BlOnquist Lose
Their Lives in the Idaho Canal

Scarcely had the people of Bingham
county recovered from the several
shocking casualties of last week when
the gloom overhanging them was deep
ened Sunday by the sad news of the
calamity which fell on the household
of Mr.. and Mrs. John Blomquist. near
Presto. Their two daughters, Misses
Jennie and Winnifred, accompanied
by several of their youngest brothers
went to Idaho Canal to bathe.
The children remained on the bank
while the two young ladies plunged
into the cooling waters, and, hand in
hand, walked down the stream, un-
thoughtful of the peril that soon en-
veloped them. One Of the little boys
on shore warned them that there were
deep holes, but the young ladies' were
so familiar with the stream they
thought it all in fun; scarcely had the
childs admonition fallen when the Sis
ters, clinging to each others hands,
found themselves in hole about ff-
teen feet deep and twenty feet across;
frantic effort was made for the bank,
but neither of the girls were equal TO
the emergency, and both sank at the
same time. Jennie never came to the
serfice, but the younger girl rose three
times and each time screamed for help.
The children were greatly alarmed
and ran for the home for help; their
father was away at the time, but find
ing neighbor at home, Mr.. Will
Vaughn, they returned with him to
the canal and he at once began diving
for the missing parties, but to no avail.
Other neighbors came and soon the
banks were lined with anxious people
who finally recovered the bodies by
dragging the hole.
1t was about seven thirty o'clock
when the sisters went in the canal and
the bodies were not recovered until af-
ter nine o'clock and were beyond all
aid when restored to the home circle.
The following Obituary was written
by one of their friends:
On Saturday evening last, Jennie
Marie and Winnifred Florence Blom-
auist, both daughters of Mr.. and Mrs
John Blomquist, were drowned in
Idaho Canal, the accident happening
near their home at Presto. The elder,
Miss Jennie, was native of Michigan,
being born there in March 1885, then
emigrating with her parents to the
state of Kentucky, where, in Septem-
Der 1891, her sister Winnifred was
born.
They migrated to Idaho some eleven
years ago. On the 10th OF June last,
the elder, who in company with her
oldest sister had for two years been in
attendance at the Idaho Industrial In
stitute at Weiser, came home to spend
the vacation.
Since their residence in Bingham
county the family have contracted
many friends and this accident casts
a gloom over the entire community.
Monday morning at $3.50 a. m. they
were taken to Shelley, where at II
o'clock a. m. the funeral services were
conducted by the Rev. A. FL. Frauzen
of the Lutheran Church. of which both
were adherents, he being assisted by
the pastor of the Baptist Church OF
Idaho Falls. The music was rendered
by the L. d. s. Choir. At the close OF
the services at the Hall, procession
of over 100 carriages followed the re-
mains to their final resting place in
the Shelley Cemetery. Deceased leave
a father, mother, three brothers and
five sisters. as we'll as countless friends
to mourn their loss.