Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1906-08-07
Lawrence Secrlst, Missionary
Companion, Risked His Own
Life in Vain.
SAW HIS COMRADE GO DOWN.
swan Back 60 the Shore Exhausted
After Determined Effort at Rescue
Elder Clark'S Account

Concerning the drowning IN the Black
river Wis. OF Elder Aaron ". Jack
son Of ogden, the la Crosse Daily
Chronicle publishes The following ac-
count.
Elder Aaron ". Jackson, one Of the
pastors Of the Church OF Jesus Christ
OF Latter-day Saints on Avon street,
was drowned in Black river at o'clock
yesterday afternoon while bathing
nearly opposite the extreme northern
limits Of the city with the other two
pastors OF the Church, Elders Marion
g.. Clark and Lawrence Secrlst.
The matter was Immediately report
cd 20 the police department and two
officers We're sent 10 the scene OF the
accident Efforts were made by the po-
lice, the two companions o. the unfor-
tunate pastor and others who had been
attracted TO the place. TO recover the
body by dragging tho bottom Of the
river with nsh hooks and poles, but
without success for several hours. The
body was found about o'clock last
evening by Simon Bake OF Kane
street who was assisting In the work
OF dragging the river
MADE MANY FRIENDS.
Elder Jackson had been resident Of
the north side FOR the past nine months
and was the best known OF the Mormon
Elders here lie had charge Of the work
% the Church located IN the 1900 block
or Avon street. and has made many
friends during his stay In the city. He
vas q years o. age unmarried. aud his
home was in ogden, Utah.
In company with Elders Clark and
Secrist he went TO the Black river bath
ing yesterday afternoon. seeking relief
from the excessive heat OF the city IN a
plunge into the cooling waters 81 the
river.
While dragging for the body at the
scene Of the accident yesterday after
noon Elder Clark told a Chronicle re-
porter the story Of the drowning.
We removed our clothes on tho bank
near boathousc" said Elder Clark.
and started to wade out into the river
The water was not deep and ] was able
10 wade almost all OF the way to the
west shore by swimming across the
deepest part. Mr. Jackson was A good
swimmer and I was some distance from
him when heard him call FOR help. He
and Mr.. SocTist were near a pier about
the center OF the river and ] made my
way TO the pier as soon as possible.
CALL FOR HELP.
"Mr. Sccrist had been swimming for
some distance and had reached the pile
OF rocks at The base OF the pier when
Mr. Jackson called for help II was
noticed by Mr. Secrist that the unfor-
tunate man was either completely tired
out or had been taken with cramps.
and he plunged into the water to 20 TO
his assistance. Mr. jackson sank and
Mr.. Secrist was almost able 10 reach
him when he came to the surface, but
could not quite touch him, and he sank
from sight. Mr.. Secrlst was tired out
himself and Il vas with difficulty that
he made his way back 10 the pile OF
rocks at the base OF the pier and pulled
himself out OF the water, faint from ex-
haustion We both watched for Mr..
Jackson 20 come 10 the surface again,
but he did not reappear."
~ MIDDLE OF STREAM.
The pier near which the accidental
drowning occurred is situated more
than half way across the river from
the east bank and Mr.. Jackson must
have swan some distance 70 reach
the pier. II Is generally believed that
IN his efforts 10 reach the pier ne be-
came tired and was seized with CRAMPS.
His cries for help were heard by his
companions distinctly twice, proba biz
before he went down the first time
and again when he came TO the surface
Tor the first time. They were even
heard by a number Of boys fishing some
distance down the nver. but they paid
no attention 10 them, thinking they
came In sport from several boys SWIM
ming farther up the river.
several Efforts were made BY the com.
panions OF Mr.. jackson 20 recover the
body by diving, but without success
and they finally rowed ashore and sent
for assistance. The matter was report.
cd 10 the police at once and steps taken
10 recover the body.
Elder jackson was a QUIET. unassurn.
ing person, who made many friends
among the north side people and was
liked by all who knew him. He made
his home on Avon street. No funeral
arrangements had been made las,
night, but Il is thought probable the
body will be shipped 10 his home IN
ogden.