Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-06-28
DROWNED IN NIGHT
Charles Youngberg Loses Life
by Supposed Acci>
dent.
WAS A FORMER POLICEMAN
Went to River Bank to Pull Down
Curtains of Launch Owned
by Son.

OnafteS u. 1OunSDerE, QUO fOurln
avenue. a resident of Rock Island for
sc years, and a former member of the
city police force, met death last even
ing about 1890 by accidental drown
ing in the Mississippi back of the Rock
Island Pillow company's factory. Mr..
Youngberg went TO the river bank to
pull down the curtains of a launch
owned by his son, Oscar. which was
anchored about thirty feet from the
shore between Fifth and Sixth streets.
He left the home about 10 O'Clock. He
did not return, and about IL O'Clock his
wife became alarmed, and awoke her
son-in-law, Allen Pratt. who lives on
the second floor above the Youngberg
home and confectionery store. Mr..
Pratt called Oscar Youngberg, who re-
sides next door, and together they went
to the river bank in search of the miss
ing man. On arriving at the shore.
they found Mr.. Youngberg's hat, which
had apparently fioated in from the
launch. Calling several others, a
searching party was organized, and
pike poles and graphing hooks secur-
ed. The search was continued for
about an hour. when it was decided to
wait until daylight.
Find the Body.
\ party composed of the two sons.
Alfred and Oscar Youngberg, Allen
Pratt, and John Botzen and Bert Goff.
night watchmen at the Weyerhaeuser
& Denkmann yards, Charles H.
BrittOn, and Walter Brunswick.
laborer residing at AL Fifth street.
renewed the search again at about
O'Clock this morning and at s
O'Clock the body was found by Goff and
Botzen, who were in a boat, near a log
raft. They pulled the body onto the
raft, and notified Coroner Eckhart.
The remains were removed to the
Knox undertaking establishment, where
an inquest was conducted at 1920
O'Clock this morning. With the excep-
ton of a small bruise over the left
eye, there are no evidences of injuries.
Oscar Youngberg testified as To the
time his father was missed, and told
of the search made and of finding the
body this morning. He said that there
was no reason to believe that his faith
er had committed suicide. as he had
never spoken of desiring to take his
own life, and was in the best of spirits.
Allen Pratt also testified, corrobora-
ting the account given above. Bert
Golf, John BOtZen and Walter Bruins
wick each testified, giving practically
the same details. The jury, after
hearing the evidence, returned YER
dict that Mr. Youngberg came to his
death by accidental drowning. II is
supposed that in lowering the curtains
he fell. and was unable to reach the
shore.
Native of sweden.
Charles q. Youngberg was a native
of Sweden. and was 55 years of age
He came to Rock Island Sc years ago,
and had made his home in this city
since that time. For 80 years or more
he was engaged in liquor business as
salOonkeeper He was a member of
the police force. serving six years with
credit under Mayors Knox and Nc
Conochie. He resigned from the city
service this spring, and since then has
been conducting a small confectionery
and notion store at 500 Fourth avenue
making his home in the rear of the
building. he was a member of the
Modern WoOdmen, and was a member
of the Redmen and the DTuids at one
time, dropping from membership when
the orders went out OF existence In
Rock Island. He was married 81 years
ago in Rock Island. his wife surviving
him. In addition, he leaves two sons,
Alfred and Oscar, and two daughters,
Mrs. Allen Pratt, and Hilda, at home.
Mr.. Youngberg was a man
of excellent standing among
those who knew him, and dur
ing the many years he was engaged in
the retail liquor business he had the
reputation of keeping one of the most
orderly and best regulated places in
Rock Island.
The funeral arrangements have not
been completed.