Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1906-07-13

A sad case of drowning occurred
in the Rock river in this city about
8:2O O'Clock last evening
This time the victim of the sad ca
tastrophe is Miss Mile Sheerburth of
Milwaukee, who has been here the
past week a guest at the home of
Mrs. VIM. Belsner, 902 Second street.
The young lady who met her death
by drowning was about twenty years
of age and very attractive person
age, who had made numerous friends
during her brief stay in the city.
The sad occurrence happened while
the young lady who met her death,
in company with Miss Adaline Beisner,
were out on the river enjoying boat
ride.
1t seems that the young ladies, who
had been enjoying frequent rides
during the visit of the Milwaukee
young lady, which terminated so sadly
last evening, had spoken for boat in
the afternoon at the Crescent livery
for use in the evening. The stranger
feature of the affair is that while
there were numerous boats and people
out on the river. no one seems to know
were soon plying the river In the
vicinity of the accident and drags
were used in the attempt. 1t was
about 8 AS O'Clock when the body OF
the unfortunate girl was found, one of
the graphing hooks having pierced her
neck.
The body was still warm when
taken from the water and strong hopes
were entertained that there was a re-
manning spark of life. Drs. Simpson
and Hoermann were summoned and
with several willing assistants worked
over the body for over an hour in hopes
of bringing about resuscitation. 1t
was finally found hopeless case and
realized as forlorn hope.
According to information received
by a Leader representative at the
Beisner home last evening, 1t was
learned that Miss Sheerburth, in COM
pany with Miss Clara Busse, came here
from Milwaukee week ago yester-
day to enjoy their vacation. 1t was
only the day before the accident that
the visitors received a telephone mes
sage from their people urging them
to return at once, but they decided to
continue their visit a few days longer.
Mrs Beisner, between sobs, stated to
the Leader representative that she
was aware of the fact that the young
idul6S were OUT OH lu6 river last eve
ming but added that they went much
against her wishes, in fact she had
urged them not to go, seeming to have
an unusual fear that some harm might
befal them On Sunday, the victim
of the sad accident, in company with
many from Watertown, visited Lake
Mills on the occasion of the outing
of the members of Thacker's band.
She made many friends by her cheer
full disposition and many of her ac-
quaintances speak of her as an unus-
ually charming young lady and many
in Watertown will deplore her untime-
just how the accident happened and
the boat occupied by the young ladies
was capsized, resulting in the drown
ing of Miss Sheerburlh and miracu-
lous escape for Miss Beisner.
The accident occurred at a point
about 100 feet above the Cady street
bridge and directly in the rear of the
Hartig Brewing company's office.
The stone wall along the river evil
IDENTIFY made escape impossible. Several
theories were advanced, as is usual in
such cases, as to how it occurred, but
the most plausible one is that the
boat was upset as result of the
waves created by passing gasoline
launch, one having passed just before
the happening. The young ladies no
doubt became frightened and added te
the disturbing element by moving
about in the boat
AS far as was able to learn last