Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1907-05-29
SADBOANNG ACCIDENT.
The Misses Grace and Addie John.
SON and Beryl lnslis Upset
in Pine River
GRACE JOHNSON DROWNED.
Johu Wolfe Aids Miss Inglis and Addie
Johnson In Reaching the Shore
by the Use of a Fish Pole.

Three happy girls left Wright Hall
early last Saturday morning to spend the
dav up the river. Laughing and enjoy
ing the lark as girls will. they procured
canoe and started for Grassmere. The
party consisted of the Misses Grace and
Addie Johnson and Miss Beryl Inglis.
The days outing was for the entertain
ment of Miss Addie Johnson, sister to
Miss Grace, who, with her mother, had
come from Iapeer the night before for
visit. The canoe was padded for some
distance up the river when it started to
rain and the party, disappointed that the
day had turned out so badly, started to
return. Upon reaching the bridge near
the Wolf place they paused under 1t, IN
tending to stay there in hopes the ram
would stop. In turning the canoe
around il capsized and all three OF the
girls were precipitated into the water. 1t
was very sudden and only one in the
party. Miss Inglis, could swim. Using
great presence Of mind she succeeded i'll
getting Miss Addie Johnson to cling to
one end of the canoe, while she remained
at the other. Miss Grace did not swim
and her heavy clothes dragged her under.
The girls Immediately shouted for help,
which was heard by Mr.. Ezra Wolf, who
hastened to the bridge with fish pole.
Miss Johnson was unconscious, her
hands still clingiug to the end OF the
canoe, and by the aid of the extended
pole Miss Inglis succeeded in catching
hold of her, while Mr. Wolfe waded out
as far as he could and dragged them in.
Miss Grace had disappeared and there
was no way to locate her. BY the efforts
of Mr.. Wolf, the unconscious girl was
revived and taken to the house. The
news of the accident was not slow Ill
reaching people down town. Boats,
carriages and pike poles were secured
and a large number went to the scene OF
the drowning, in hopes that they could
get the body out in time to restore life.
Mr.. Helmer and Mr.. Campbell of the
college, dove in hopes they could locate
the body i'll this way, but the current was
strong and the water icy cold so that
the divers could do nothing.
VIM. Howe was at the scene i'll a
scow, and was the one who succeeded in
locating the body, his fish spear having
caught in the drowned girls clothing.
The body was taken up onto the lawn
and Drs. Day Lamb and Suydam did all
in their power to restore life. The body
had been in the water an hour and a half
and Miss Johnson was dead when taken
from the water
The disaster cast a gloom of sadness
over the college students and in fact over
the whole city Miss Johnson, who was
very fond of athletics and all things
social had often been entertained by
Alma people and i'll this way extended
her acquaintance and won the friendship
of all who knew her.
The mother was nearly distracted, the
cruel news reaching her in such a sudden
manner. A number of the college friends
of the unfortunate girl attended her
funeral which was held i'll Lapeer yester-
day afternoon. Those remaining who
were dear friends of the drowned girl
wore mourning as token of respect for
their dead friend. The casket was ship
ped to Lapeer early Monday morning
the box being laden with flowers and
offerings from college students. Miss
Johnson was 20 years of age, having
graduated from the Lapeer High School
at the age of II years. She was a mem-
Der of the leading young ladies club of
that place. and not solitary member
happened to be in Lapeer at this time,
all are attending school or teaching. Her
father, VIM. Johnson. died six years ago.
He was an expert accountant She was
a niece of J. X Johnson. cashier of the
st National Bank of Lspeer.
Mrs. Johnson and daughter. Abbie,
are very grateful to Miss Ingls for L-r
aid while in the water Such bravery
will make them life long friends.