The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-08-17
j. Hicks MCDearmon's Skiff Overturns
While He is Trying to Escape Wash
From T0wb0at.
JESSE wEATHERINGTON BECOMES EXHAUSTED AND
SINKS WHILE SWIMMING In THE TENNESSEE RIVER.
Dragging For Body Of McDesrmon Went on Without Avail
All Sunday ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Hurt.

While seeking to avoid the wash
from a towboat in the Ohio river yes
terday at noon, j. Hicks McDearmon.
32 years old, an employe of Nagel &
Meyer, was drowned opposite Padu-
cab and Phillip Boulware. his com
panion. had a narrow escape from
drowning when their skiff capsized.
The young men were returning home
from across the river after a several
hours fishing trip when they pulled
in above feet of empty barges of
the Aver & Lord Tie company and
the skin was overturned in swift
current. They were thrown clear OF
the skiff, and both were expert swim
mers. but in a second they were swept
under the barges. McDearmon's body
went under the feet never to rise,
while Boulware passed diagonally un-
der two barges, and when he arose
between the barges he was rescued by
fishermen.
The first news reached the city
shortly after ~ o'clock, and search
ing parties went to the Ohio river
side of the island, but McDearmon's
body was not SEEN The young men
left Sunday morning at o'clock for
the lakes to fish. At IL O'Clock they
put everything In their skiff and starts--
ed to return across the river When
about two hundred yards above the
foot Of the island, the men saw the
To-
waves might upset the boat. McDear-
mon. who was rowing. pulled in above
the barges. Boulware warned him
not to do so. but the boat was caught
broadside by the current that was
running about six miles an hour. and
turned over. Before presence OF
mind could dictate TO swim. they were
under the barges and Boulware re-
membered to hold his breath. After
passing under two barges he arose
and padded his arms. Two fisher
men saw him and permitted him to
catch hold of the stern Of their skin.
and they pulled him to the island.
The last Boulware saw of his com
panion was when, as he was swept
under. he saw McDearmon trying to
catch hold of the barge. Boulware
was brought to the wharf in gaso-
line boat. and the news quickly
spread.
A party was made up and the river
was recrossed with Boulware. who
told the story of the mlshap. The
searching party went up and down
the barges. but McDearmon was not
to be seen between. His straw hat
and the pair OF oars he was using
were found between two barges. but
sounding for his body was unfruitful.
Later the steamer Harth went to the
island and moved the barges, but
only some scant drift was turned
loose. The overturned skin was 10
Gated under the last barge. but his
body was not near II.
Well Known Young Man.
Hicks McDearmon was an engraver
and jeweler for Nagel & Meyer and
one OF the most popular young men
In the city. He came to Paducah five
years ago from his home az Trenton.
Tenn, where he has relatives. He
was young man of quiet DISPOSE
tion. and of sterling character. He
had mG-y friends, who congregated
at the wharf all yesterday afternoon
to learn the news and assist any way
in recovering his body. McDearmon
resided at 524 North Fourth street.
Mr.. Phillip Boulware, his compan-
ion, who had such thrilling escape
from death. is clerk for the George
Rock Shoe company. and is another