Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1907-12-09
DROWNED.
Ralph Brown, Oakland,
Dead In Snow Pond.
Skated Into Open Water With
-Four Other Young Men.
Sank While Others Were Saving
Selves and Each Other.

oakland, Me, Dec. S.-(SpeciaD.-T
fret fatal ice accident of the year in
this section OF the State occurred late
Friday evening at a point or Lake
Nessalonskec, (Snow ponO about 300
wards south of Blakes island and one
mile north Of the station of North Bel
grade, when Ralph Brown of Oakland
vas drowned.
Five young men, intent upon pass
ing the evening with friends in North
Belgrade, started out from this village
over the lake of ice on skates. one OF
these carried 4 lantern. The skating on
the lake is excellent, particularly on
the east side. The young men, Ralph
Brown, Judson Gleason. Robert SAT-
ford. Guy Sawtelle and Judson Bangs.
the latter colored, left the village
shortly after : o'clock in the evening
and proceeded along the east side OF
the lake. Reaching point south OF
Blakcs island. they started directly
across the lake.
The current created by the stream,
which enters the lake at the south
end, for considerable period during
the cold weather, maintains open wat
or fer a long distance down the lake.
This current entering the larger body
Of water On the southeast travels dl-
agonally across the pond. passing sew
eral hundred yards south Of Blake
island and finally losing its force in
the larger water area between the is
land and the west shore.
The young men arriving a. point
along the east side from which they
considered it safe to so change their
course so as to cross the lake on good
strong ice, drove out diagonally and
passed Blake'S island. The night was
far fror1 clear and the young man
lending carried lantern, but il is
presumed that their rapid motion
dimmed their eyes and the leader fail
:. ed to note a small space directly ahead.
IRE vas open water. for into this
ke all five skated. OF course the
was eXtinguished and each was
IN upon his own resources.
kgs, the colored boy. succeeded III
pg strong ice and safety. He I'M
Ely turned his attention to the
ing companion nearest him.
S Gleason, whom Bangs quick
d to the ice. These two then
cir attention to Stafford. who
in order in point of vantage.
\r had succeeded in eXtriGat
If once but had fallen back
water. Bangs and Gleason
ad him in safety beside him.
Zee removed their sweaters.
eeves and thus formed Il life
they threw out to SaWtelle,
aking strenuous efforts to
|ad above water several feet
edge of the ice. BY this
telle was drawn to posi-
ETY..
citement of the rescue those
pg helped first, young Brown
Pep up until his turn came,
lelle had been rescued and
nen looked around for their
panion, Brown. he was no.
sight. 1t is believed the lat
re down and had risen under
the time of the writing Of
the body had not been re-
Young Sawtelle was so fan
" his experience that it was
ssary by his companions Il
to this village.
Town, the young man who
as 10 years old. He was thu
and Mrs. J. r. Brown 81
For some time past he ha(
ycd in o. Boston store. II,
bme last Tuesday to pass the
e was q bright, interesting
1. with Il large circle o
no feel a deep sorrow at hi:
end.
Saturday friends of young
ught in vain to recover hi.
ing boats. breaking ice and us
|plng irons. The search will b.
tomorrow.