The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-07-30
Former Resident of Milton and
EarIham Student Drowned
At Colon, Panama, After
Performing Heroic Act.
GOT OTHERS FROM A
DANGEROUS UNDERTOW.
Young Man Is Reported to
Have Been Engaged to Mar
ry Miss Martha Cox, of
Washington, Ind.

Word has been received of the death
of Earl Irwin. former Milton boy and
Earlham student, at Colon. Panama.
Young Irwin met his death by drown
ing after he had gallantly rescued four
friends from the treacherous under
tow at Kenny's Bluff. an exceedingly
dangerous point in the Colon harbor.
although alluring to bathers for its
beautiful beach.
Irwin is nephew OF John T. Man
love and Joseph l.. Manlove OF Mil
ton and he was we'll and favorably
known in the little town. Before go-
ing to Panama, Irwin made his home
for several years in Indianapolis.
where he had a wide circle OF friends
and was known as crack athlete and
swimmer.
Irwin was in business with his faith
er, Albert Irwin, at Colon. but for
some time past the mother has lived
with her daughter. Mrs. Herbert
Thomas, on a farm seven miles south
of Milton. Mr.. Thomas is at present
in Colon engaged in business with
Mr.. irwin. Mrs. irwin and Mrs. Thorn
the climatic conditions at Colon did
not agree with them. When the Mil
ton relatives of young Irwin learned
of his tragic death. some Of them went
to the Thomas farm where they told
Mrs. Irwin of the tragedy. She was
prostrated by the news.
Earl Irwin, II is stated, was engaged
to be married to Miss Martha Cox OF
Washington, Ind. Irwin went to Col
on in 1904. after having taken civil
service examination i'm Washington.
He served as chief clerk to the master
mechanic In charge OF the canal work
at Colon until about one year ago.
when his father and he Joined in the
business venture OF selling pictures
and curios of the great canal and its
workers. Irwin was known among his
friends as an enthusiast with the cam
era, and in his business venture had
turned his ability to good account.
Details Of the Affair.
A dispatch from Colon gives the de-
tails of how Irwin gallantly met his
death, as follows.
After having rescued four OF his
companions, caught in a treacherous
undertow on the beach at Colon. Pan
anna Earl Irwin, exhausted by his self
sacrificing effort. was himself caught
and drowned before the other mem
bers of the bathing party realized
what had happened. A party OF
American men and women, of which
Mr.. Irwin was "A member, crossed the
bay in a small boat to Kenny's Bluff.
on the far side of the harbor. Una
ware Of the dangers of the locality.
the party decided to go in bathing.
Four men ventured out too far, got
caught i'm the strong undercurrent
and were swept off their feet. irwin.
who was an expert swimmer, was
farther in shore, and heard their terri
fled cries for help. Without a mo-
ment's hesitation or thought of self
he plunged in and with a skill born OF
experience. kept clear Of the remorse-
less undertow which was gradually
sweeping his companions farther and
farther from land while he performed
his work Of rescue Irwin baftIed
grimly with the waves, and one after
another brought his companions safe
ly to shore. II he grew weaker to-
ward the last 1t was not noticeable I'm
the excitement. Irwin himself did not
complain. His companions had been
go accustomed to his mastery Of the
watery element they failed to appre-
ciate his herculean work in their be-
half.
After the last man was safely in
shore the rescuer had no strength left
% save himself, but sank and drown
I'd before the eyes of his stupefied
companions, helpless to give him aid
even had they realized his exhaustion.
Kenney's Bluff, where the tragedy
occurred, is an exceedingly dangerous
ooint for bathers, though alluring for
rs beautiful beach. Several men, in
Guiding United States Consul Ashley,
lave been drowned there in the past
ew years.