The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1906-09-11
FRANK VOICES DROWNED
IN BAYOU GRANDE
Stepped Into a Very Deep
Hole While Out
Grabbing.
RESCUED TOO LATE

Every Effort Made to Save
His Life.
THE POPULAR PosToFFIcE IN.
sPEcToR WAS THE GUEST OF
CAPTAIN NoRTHRUP AT "THE
WIeWAM"-WIFE OF THE DE.
CEASED is BODY
WILL BE SENT TO OKLAHOMA.
Postoffice Inspector Frank Voges
was drowned Sunday morning about
IL o'clock in Bayou Grande, while
wadlng in the bayou catching crabs
with a net. He stepped into one OF
the innumerable holes in the bayou
was caught by the exceptionally strong
current, could not swim and was
drowned before assistance could reach
him. His body was recovered about
thirty minutes after the accident, and
every effort made to resuscitate him,
but without avail, and his remains
were brought TO the city. Many per-
sons along the beach witnessed the
drowning Of the inspector. but were
powerless to render assistance His
home is in Shawnee, Oklahoma, where
he leaves a wife and little son. and
the remains will today be forwarded
there for interment.
Guest of Captain Northup.
Inspector Voges, Glib Fell and one or
the guests of Postmaster w. H.
Northup at the "Wigwam," on the
bay shore About 10 o'clock in the
forenoon it was proposed to go crab
bling in Bayou Grande and catch crabs
for a jumbalaya for dinner, and NJ
Fell and Mr.. Voges volunteered 10
make the trip. They went to the
bayou and had been wading about for
about an hour, when the accident oc-
CURED which deprived the inspector
of his life. He could not swim and
knowing that the place abounded with
deep holes Mr.. Fell cautioned him to
be careful and TO follow only behind
him. and if ne saw that he (FelD was
getting into deep water to return TO
the shore.
Were Soon to Return.
The two had caught a number or
crabs and had about decided to re-
turn home, when they waded out on
what afterwards proved TO be a sand
bar Mr.. Fell was in front and hear
ing a slight noise behind him turned
in time to see the inspector go into
water over his head and disappear. He
had slipped off the sand bar and had
been caught by the terribly swift cur
rent Mr.. Fell, who had a sack and
other fishing tackle tied about him,
threw a crab net to the drowning in
spector, but he made no attempt to
catch it. and disappeared again from
view. Three times he arose to the
surface Of the water, but at no time
did his head appear, either his arms
or back appearing each time. Mr..
Fell did everything possible to save
him, but could hardly swim himself In
the swift current and dozens OF peo-
pie along the shores saw the inspector
drown. but were powerless TO aid him.
Seeing a small boat some distance
away at a wharf Mr. Fell swan quick
ly to il and securing II returned TO
the spot, but nothing could then be
seen of Mr.. VOges, and IL was fnlly
thirty minutes before the little son or
John Davenport caught a glimpse or
the body about eighty feet from where
he had sunk. Mr.. Fell dived down and
brought it to the surface and IL was
placed on the beach where every ef-
fort OF resuscitatiOn was made. A
special train from the city brought DR..
Mallory Kennedy TO the scene. but
death had arrived before the body had
been recovered. and his efforts were
futile
Coroner Nicholson was notified OF
the accident and viewed the body.
after which il was brought TO the city
and ordered embalmed and held await
ing orders.
Notified His Wife.
II fell TO the lot of Postmaster
Northup to break the painful news to
the wife Of the inspector. who with
her little son, were in far away Shaw
nee. Oklahoma He sent her tele-
gram at once notifying her OF he:
husbands death and asking her what
to make OF the body Lat
err he received a reply TO have II for
warded to her at Shawnee. and THIS
will he done today at noon, the re-
mains having been prepared Tor snip
ment.
Stationed Here Six Months.
Inspector Voges had been stationed
az Pensacola for about six months, and
during this period he made many
friends and acquaintance. His terri
tory included all Of the postoffices
between this city and River Junction,
and the major portion of his time was
spent here. He had been IN the ser.
vice of the postoffice department Tor
about fourteen years, and was consid-
cred an exceptionally capable man;
He came here from Oklahoma, and had
not been on a vacation 10 visit MS
wife and little boy since being as
signed here. and now he returns 10
them corpse.
A Mason and Elk.
Mr.. Voges was a member OF Bea-
con Lodge No. 3. +. & A. NJ. OF ST.
louis, and of FL Reno Lodge No, 1i3.
3. p. o. E., OF Ell Reno Oklahoma. and