Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-28
BOAT 0VERTURNS
Mrs. Raut browns in Rock RiV-
er's Treacherous
Current.
WITH HUSBAND WAS. FISHING
After Futile Effort to Save Her He
Swims Ashore Near Old Dam
Below Tower.

The treacherous swift current of
Rock river claimed another victim last
evening shortly after o'clock. Mrs.
J. +. Raut of Sears drowning when
she and her husband were thrown into
the water by the capsiZing of the boat
II which they had been fishing above
the old dam at the foot of the Watch
Tower.
Mr.. and Mrs. Raut, as was their
daily custom. had been fishing and at
tending TO trout lines in the river
Drifting back down the stream. they
reached spot about 20 rods above
the willows and boards that mark the
location of the old dam. a drag hook,
formed OF an 1S-inch piece of a rifle
barrel, split at the end. was firmly fas-
tened TO the boat, and was dragging
IN the water at its head. Suddenly the
hook caught on the bottom, and with
jerk the stern of the boat was pulled
down by the swift current of the
river
Woman Screams.
Mrs. Raut's scream attracted her
husbands attention, and turning he
SdW the DOdJ tlllHS Will water ne
grasped the side and attempted TO UNI
fasten the rope attached TO the hook,
but was unable to get the rope loosen
ed before the boat filled and went I'M
der. Mrs. Raut had grasped n firm
hold ON her husbands foot, but when
the boat went under his boot came on,
and she was carried quickly down
stream by the current. He had let go
of the sinking boat, and swimming ana
drifting with the current, he endeavor-
ed to reach his wife. at the same time
making his way toward the old dam.
He caught himself in the willows
above the dam and managed to reach
the shore safely.
Floats Long Distance.
Mrs. Raut had been whirled in the
water. and in turning over face down
her long coat has enclosed an air
pocket above her shoulders. This serv-
ed to keep her afloat, and she strug
gled TO swiH toward the shore. The
cries of her husband had attracted
Patrick Rooney. who resides just be
low the wagon bridge. and as he saw
the doomed man floating down in the
swift current under the bridge, just
south of the center pier, he put out in
a boat. Before he could reach the
center of the river AIRS Raut had dis
appeared. and though Mr.. Rooney fol
lowed the current for some distance
below the railway bridge. he saw moth
ing more of the rivers victim. The
water was rough. and Mr.. Rooney be
lieves that Mrs. Rant did not sink until |
she had fioated below that bridge. !
Search in the water below. with nets !
and drag hooks, was unsuccessful. and /
the body has not yet been recovered. /
Mr. Raut was almost insane with the !
shock and grief over the tragedy, and /
continues the search for the remains
Of his wife. The couple came here
from New York, Mr. Raut being en-
ployed at the Rock Island arsenal a.
a machinist For a time the couple
lived in Davenport, moving to Sears
about six weeks ago. making their
home in one of the houses just oppo-
site the old cotton mill building. Mrs.
Rout was "a years of age, and native
Of New York. The couple were mar
lied in that state April 6, 1901.
Reward Oaered for Body.
The people of the village of Sears
lave offered a reward of $25 for the
'ecovery of the body \ quantity of
dynamite was secured and this after
loon is being used in the vicinity of
he railroad bridge in the hope of
bringing the remains to the surface.
Nr. Raut is assisting in the work.