The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1908-07-16
Notes From Centerville.

|
of two of his friends, two brothers, and
asked them to 60 out for swim IN the
mill pond and npon their asserting to
go, the three got into boat and road
up the pond for a considerable distance
until they arrived at place that seemed
suitable for swimming, where upon they
tied the boat, this being on the north
shore, and prepared to enter the water.
The younger of the brothers WAS the
first to enter and proceeded to swim for
the south shore the deepest side of the
pond, being the convex side OF it, then
came Irwin Gartzke followed by the
older of the brothers. After being in
the water for some time the younger of
the brothers said, Irwin it's quite far to
swim across, and the water here is quite
deep" the depth being from about 10 to
II feet. He received no reply however,
and upon looking at Irwin noticed that
he swan along we'll, all of a sudden
however, when Irwin arrived at place
south shore, where sort of stick, be-
ing perhaps a stump or branch OF tree
projected above the waters surface in
slanting position, his comrades sudden
" noticed that he had disappeared from
view, and this without uttering cry
for help OF giving any sign of distress.
They at once FASTENED to his assistance
but were unable to cope with what
seemed the hand OF destiny, one of the
brothers also being carried down by the
weight, not being very good swimmer,
and although they did everything with
in the power of human help for their
comrade they were unable to get him
to the surface he not coming up as is
usually the case with drowning persons.
One of the brothers then proceeded to
get more assistance while the other re-
NAMED on the scene of the fatal acct
dent, he soon saw the brotheri law of
Irwin who at once gave the alarm and
proceeded to the scene with further as
sia.ance, but all assistance seemed in
vain az it was impossible to locate the
body, owing perhaps to the peculiar
formation of the bottom at this place.
The dam was washed away years ago
this summer and the pond dried ont on
ly small creek finding its way to the
lake michigan, this creek bottom being
perhaps feet deeper than the bottom
of the adjacent parts of the pond and
being perhaps A feet in width.
Upon sinking to the bottom the body
must have fallen 80 as to just roll down
the edge into the creek, as it was i'm
possible at first to feel any object on the
bottom and it was only after continued
efforts and after considerable time about
half an hour had elapsed that the body
was finally brought to the surface. All
efforts to resuscitate the same however
proved to be in vain. Heart failure or
some similar attack Was perhaps the
cause of death, he utterng no cry for
assistance and not coming again to the
surface, being perhaps unconscious as
from the circumstances, when he sank
| beneath the surface. 1t il hardly pos
| sibe that drowning was due to an at.
tack of cramps rs the water of the mill
pond is quite warm at this time, and
Fridays weather also having been very
warm.
The body was taken to Milwaukee,
Saturday, where from the home Of an
uucle of the deceased, the funeral cor
tege, last Monday, wended its way to
Union cemetery, where now rest in
peace the mortal remains Of our deceas-
cd friend Rev. Sprengling of Center
vile performed the last sad services,
which were attended by many Of his
Milwaukee and Centervlle friends and
relatives
He was son of Mr.. and Mrs. Gust
Gartzke and leaves besides his parents
! four sisters to mourn his death.
Irwin Gartzke was about IS years of
age. He was an honest, upright young
man of an ambitious and studious ma
tire, with bright future before him.
About 6 weeks ago he issued to the pub
lie the Cleveland Centerville Review,
a monthly publication, being its editor
and publisher Thus was taken by the
Lord of Life and Death, from out whose
mighty hand the centuries roll like
grains of sand, from this life, human
soul from all toll and strife.
Mrs Emil Sigelkow died last Sunday
morning aged 20 years, leaving her hus
band and an infant just born. The sym
patty of the entire community is with
the bereaved husband and father. In
terment took place Tuesday. Rev, Phi.
Sprengling oi1iciated.
Edwin Hngss, son of Mr.. and Mrs
Adolph Hngiss, died last Sunday morn
ing He had attended the Normal at
Oshkosh the past year and WAS home
spending his vacation on his fathers
farm when suddenly he was beckoned
to the other shore by the Angel of
Death. Interment took place Tuesday,
the Rev. Phi. Sprengling being officiat
ing clergyman.
The following people from here at
tended the funeral of Irwin Gartzke at
Milwaukee last Monday: Rev. Phi.