Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1906-08-15
five were Drowned
Prominent CITIZENS OF DAVEN.
PORT, WASHINGTON.
They Had Been Enjoying the Waters
Of Spokane River When One Of Their
dercurrent and the Others Were
Drowned While Trying to Rescue.

Davenport, WASH, Aug. 13.-t1Ve
well known citizens Of Davenport who
had been enjoying an outing on the
banks of the Spokane river about II
miles northeast Of here were drowned
Sunday and only one body has been re.
covered. The vicums are:
Miss Winnie Jones, aged 1S years.
A. l.. Bergett, aged about 40.
Mrs. A. Bergett, aged about S5.
Roy Howard, aged 2S.
A. l.. Inman, aged "a.
Four of those drowned heroically
sacrificed their lives in attempting to
save others. One after another they
plunged into the river, only to lose
their footing and be drawn down either
by the whirlpool or the undercurrent,
which at that point is particularly dan.
gerous.
L. +. Moore, who returned to Daven'
port with the body Of Mrs. Bergett,
gives the following account Of the dis
tressing tragedy. CLEANED from others
of the party who were eye witnesses:
Attempt to Rescue Miss Jones.
"The women were bathing and wad.
ing at a point near Laughburn's place,
located close to the scene of the big
slide last year in the Spokane river.
Miss Jones ventured out too far, got
beyond her depth and Mrs. Bergett
Immediately waded out to assist. Mrs.
Bergett was soon in the same danger
as Miss Jones. Both women were
struggling in the river when A. l.. Ber'
gett, husband of Mrs. Bergett. rushed
out to save them. He also was rem.
dered helpless by the swirling waters.
The screams Of Miss Irene Danson and
Miss Daisy Hutchinson, who were on
the bank and unable to reach their
drowning friends, brought A. l.. Inman,
Roy Howard and Mr.. Pauline. who
were a considerable distance away.
and the three men attempted to reach
those in distress. Mr.. Inman ventur'
ed out too far and he also was sucked
under the surface.
Howard Loses His Life.
Finding they could not hope to save
the others by swimming out to them
MR. Pauline and Mr.. Howard rushed
for their horses, hoping the animate
could find footing on the bed Of the
river far enough out to reach the vic
Tins. Mr.. Pauline's horse refused to
venture out. Mr.. Howard's horse went
as far as the animal found 1t could
stand up, and, when being urged by
the rider. threw Mr.. Howard into the
stream. Mr.. Howard was swimming TO
shore. but suddenly was sucked under
by the whirlpool. and he also drowned
Mr.. Pauline saw his friend sink. but
was unable to reach him. Mr.. Pauline
hen went for assistance and found Mr.
Moore. They recovered the body OF
Mrs. Bergett. which noated on top Of
he whirlpool, but the other bodies had
disappeared"
News Of the accident reached Daven.
port shortly after noon. In less than
Two hours every available vehicle in
the city was on the way to the scene
Dynamite was taken along In hope Of
bringing the bodies to the surface. All
afternoon the rescuers worked. and
late tonight few Of them had returned
Davenport is shaken to its very cen.
ter by the calamity. Every one Of the
victims was well known and prominent
In the life Of the town.
Failing in their efforts to dislodge
the bodies by exploding dynamite in
The river. Davenport citizens are max
ing efforts to get diver from Seattle
or Spokane. The river will be watch
ed for miles below, and the search will
be thoroughly organized.