Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1907-10-04

boots. He had reached a point within
couple of feet of the life preserver
when he was seized with cramps and
sank below the surface of the water.
Still the engine could not be started.
A row boat finally came toathe aid of
those on the launch and they were
assisted to shore and later driven, to
Hazelhurst. where they informed Ed
ward Behlke of the accident that had
befallen his brother. 1t being dark
at that hour, the attempt of a search
was abandoned for the night, but was
instituted at an early hour IN the
morning, several launch parties being
engaged in the search The body was
recovered about 9 o'clock yesterday
morning and was Immediately pre-
pared for shipment, leaving Minocqua
last evening about $50 o'clock,
arriving here on the train following
the arrival of the party. cit is said
that the stream into which Mr..
Behlke fell is narrow and that he
could easily have reached shore, but
he appeared to swim with ease and no
doubt had great confidence that he
could reach the life preserver which
had been thrown to him. Mr..
Schneider of Wausau, the gentleman
who accompanied the party. Is private
secretary to G.. C. Yawkey, the head
of the Yawkey- Bissell Lumper COM
pany, by which Edward Behlke is
employed.
Frank E. Behlke was born and
reared In Waterfowl, a son of Mr..
and Mrs Ferdinand Behke. He was
born on July %, $780, He was educa-
ted in the local schools, including the
High school. After leaving the latter
he accepted clerkship with the D..
& F. Kusel company, by which con-
cern he was employed for sometime
On Feb. 16, 1903, he was appointed
clerck in the Watertown postoffice
under the administration of W. F.
Gruetzmacher. He resigned his posi-
ton on Nov. Is, 1904, to accept pos
ition as railway mail clerk, which
employment he followed from Nov.
Is, 1904, to March /, 1905. On that
date he was appointed assistant post
master by Mr.. Gruetzmacher. He heId
that position throug hout the admins
tratioD of Mr.. Gruetzmacher and thus
far under the administration of Post
master H. 7. Eberle. From the time
Mr.. Behlke entered the p0stoffice. he
showed an aptitude for the duties in
volved. He was not only popular with
his employers and associates, but the
public in general. For a young man
of his age, he display ed rare executive
ability, which was appreciated by all,
especially representatives Of the
government who had occasion to in
spect the accounts IN the local post
office. He was not only faithful in
the discharge OF his duties, but was
of an extremely cheerful disposition,
always offering pleasant word and
smile to those with whom he came in
contact. He was young man with a
most promising future befure hun
and it is deplored by all that circum-
stances have deprived the family and
community of such noble and promis
ing character. He was prominent in
Masonic, Elk ana knights of, Pythias
circles, being a member of the three
orders, tn members of which have sus-
tanned severe loss in his untimely
death. He was interested in politics,
being affiliated with the Republican
party. In the county campaign Of
1905, he was candidate on the repub
llcan ticket for register of deeds IN
Jefferson county. He received a
nightly complimentary endorsement
from his home people, also at the
polls throughout the county. His pop
ularity was fully attested yesterday
in the universal expressions of sorrow,
which word Of mouth was Inadequate
to express.
The loss of the valued services of
Mr.. Behlke in the postoffice will be
keenly telt, for there was not a de-
tail of the business, but what he was
familiar with. His pleasant counte-
nance will not only be missed by
Postmaster Eberle and the EMPLOYEES
OF the office but by the patrons who
found it source of pleasure to have
dealings with the young man whu las
been removed in the prime of life.
His position will be one difficult to
fill His tragic death is one that
pulls on the heart strings of every &C.
quaintance and the sympathy is uni
Versally extended to the grIef-striken
parents and two brothers and sister
surviving. The brothers are Edward
of Hazelhurst. Wis, and Paul of this
city. The sister is Miss Minnie
Behlke, also of this city.