Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1905-12-01
DEATH in THE RIVER
James Hayes Is Drowned While
Helping to Break Log
Jam.

James Hayes was drowned in the
LaCreole river, one mile above Dallas
yesterday morning at 10 o'clock. BE
was experimenting the breaking Of a
log jam, and was assisting the work
men when the fatal accident occurred.
The body was found at o'clock in
the afternoon in the deep water above
the log boom in the west end OF town,
The drowning occurred on the
Robert Howe farm, where large jam
of logs belonging to the w. w. john
son Lumber Company had formed
in the river. Numerous efforts to
break this jam had been made,
with the aid Of the food dams,
but the attempts had all proved
futile. Yesterday morning an un-
usually heavy flood of water was
turned on the jam, and it was while
he was working to clear the stream Of
the huge mass of logs that had
accumulated that Mr.. Hayes met his
death. Assisted by his nephew, Arch
Hayes, and Cleveland Sears, he was
making good progress in the work,
when suddenly he lost his footing and
fell into the water among the moving
logs. His companions were busily
engaged in their task and were not
aware that any accident had' befallen
Mr.. Hayes until they saw him strug-
Cling in the water.
A. G. Dimick, a renter living on the
Howe farm, was watching the prog
ress of the work and was an eye wit
ness of the drowning. He says the un-
fortunate man fell between two NOV
ing jams of logs and when first seen
was in open water holding to log
and apparently in no immediate
danger. Floating down stream a con-
siderable distance, he seemed to be in
fair way of reaching the bank,
when suddenly he released his hold
and sank from view. The body did
not come to the surface again, and
all efforts to locate it proved unavail-
ing.
The news of the drowning was
brought to town by messenger, and
a large number Of men and boys i'm
mediately left for the scene Of the
accident. A patrol Of the river bank
was established, but the water was
running so high and muddy that it
was useless to attempt to find the body.
AS soon as the flood had subsidized, the
search was resumed and this time
proved successful, the body being
found lodged against the log boom
near the mill, by Walter Baker,
shortly before one o'clock.
The corpse was removed to Chap
mans undertaking parlors, where it
was prepared for burial. A thorough
examination disclosed no signs Of
violent injury, save bruise on the
forehead, which might have been
caused by coming IN contact with a
rock or log. No outward signs of
broken bones were visible, and it was
evident that death had been caused by
drowning. 1t is believed that Mr..
Hayes was thoroughly chilled by the
icy water and that he was siezed by
cramps and forced to abandon his
hold on the floating log.
Mr.. Hayes was an experienced log
ger, having followed that occupation
for many years in Wisconsin and
Minnesota He came to Oregon about
eight years ago, and had worked at
log driving on the LaCreole river at
intervals since that time. He also
followed the business Of a timber
cruiser, and for a time was associated
with J. G.. VanOrsdel in handling real
estate and timber tracts. Only few
DAYS prior to his death, he had ac-
cepted steady employment with the
Johnson Lumber Company.
James A. Hayes was a son Of
Hugh Hayes, Of this city, and
was about As years old. He leaves a
wife and five children, the eldest be-
ing IA years of age. He was an
honest, industrious man, and enjoyed
the respect and confidence Of all. His
death is sincerely mourned, and his
wife and little children have the deep
est sympathy of the community in
their sad bereavement.