The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1905-06-22
John and Peter Goergen, Sons Of
John Coergen, Lose Their
Lives in Pike Greek.
NO WITNESSES PRESENT.
Clothing of the Boys Was Found on
the Banks of the River, and Their
Remains Were Found Buried
Beneath Mass of Trash.

One of the saddest accidents re-
ported in this city in many years oc-
Cured late Saturday afternoon, when
John and Peter Goergen, sons OF Mr..
and Mrs. John Goergen, well known
residents of the town Of Somers, lost
their lives while bathing in Pike
river near their home.
The story of the accident will prob
ably never be told, as the only two
witnesses are now cold in death and
there is no one who can tell the sad
story of their final plunge to death.
The two boys are aged eleven and
nine years, and on Saturday morning
after they had done the chores about
the house, they took their hshlng
poles and started off to the river for a
days fishing. Two or three people
had seen the little boys fishing along
the river during the morning an
they seemed to be having great sport.
Later it is supposed that they tired Of
fishing and decided to go into the
river for a swim. It's thought posi-
bic that the little fellow got beyond
his depth, and that the Older brother
went to aid him and was dragged
into the deep water aud both were
drowned.
The mother, fearing nothing, had
prepared dinner for the boys at noon,
but they f. lied to return, and late in
the afternoon when their father re-
turned home she urged him to go to
the river in search of the boys. He
went, and after walking up the bank
of the stream a short distance he
found the clothes of the little fellows
lying close together on the ground
He at once reached the conclusion
that the boys had gone IN bathing
and had been drowned. Almost fran
tic the father hurried to the city and
secured the aid of the members of the
life saving crew to search for the re-
mains.
The story of the drowning of the
two little fellows spread like wild-fre
about the North side of the city where
they were we'll known, and hundreds
of people hurried to the scene of the
accident to assist in the search.
Others went to the home of the
striken family to comfort the mother
and father who were beside them
selves with grief.
For over three hours the life savers
and many other friends dragged the
river about the spot where the boys
clothing was found but no trace of
the bodies was found. Friends of the
father of the children stripped them
selves of their clothes and waded up
and down the river, but their efforts
were also unsuccessful. After it was
thought that all attempts would prove
in vain one of the searchers located
the body of the younger boy, and
lying directly under it was the body
of his brother. The two bodies had
evidently gone down together.
The remains of the boys were taken
from the river and removed to the
bank, and later Coroner H. A. Robin
son called jury to view the bodies.
An inquest held later resulted in
verdict of accidental death.
The remains of the little boys were
removed to the grief stricken home
late Saturday night, and the funeral
was held from ST. Georges church
on Tuesday morning. The remains
were inferred in the family plat at
st. Georges cemetery.
The sad accident has cast pail
over the North side of the city, as the
two boys were well known to many
people. They had been attending
St. Georges school and were among
the brightest scholars. The father
and mother have the sympathy of the
entire city in this their greatest be-
reavement.