Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1909-08-20
PATHETIC
DROWNING
AT EUGENE
Rena Ireland Meets Death in
Rapids of the Mckenzie
River Last Sunday
Morning.

following account OF the drowning
OF Rena ireland Monday last: The
treacherous waters of the Mckenzie
have claimed another victim, ana
Miss Rena ireland, aged 10 years,
now lies cold in death at the home
of George Ward, near Thurston, as
the result OF a boating accident at
Craig rapids on Sunday afternoon.
AS will be remembered by Regis |
ter readers, B. F. Finn, 81 years OF
age. and the grandfather OF the de-
ceased, had built large 22-foot log
glng boat. which he was under con-
tract to deliver to the Spaulding
brothers at Salem and had planned
10 take Mr.. and Mrs. Albert Ward
and Mrs. Wards two daughters,
Rena and Mabel Ireland, to Salem
with them and go from thence by
steamboat to Portland and on to the
fair at Seattle on a pleasure trip.
Norbert Aya of Eugene had been In
vited to came TO Wards and accom-
pany the party as far as Hayden's
bridge and do what fishing he want
ed while on the way.
They started out joyfully Sunday
morning with all their effects In the
boat and ran all the rapids and riff
file safely until they came 10 the
Craig rapids above Thurston. Mr..
Finn was az the oars and was rowing
head on In smooth water when he
took out his tobacco and was pre-
pairing to cut or a chew with his
knife when his granddaughter, Rena,
who sat next behind him. told him
10 take the oars quickly and turn
the boat around, as they we're ap-
preaching rough water. He did so
at once, but not quickly enough. for
the boat caught by the current, was
borne rapidly toward jam OF logs.
one OF which hang over the surface
only a few inches above the water.
which swept down under II with
terrific force He yelled at Ward
and Ava 10 push the boat of from
the logs with their fishing poles. and
they attempted to do 80. when their
weight on tha side OF the boat caus-
ed It to dip toward the log and in an
instant II was overturned
Rena neIand Jumps Overheard
Mr.. Finn yelled TO Rena TO hold on
, 10 him. TO grab him by the shoul-
ders, but she probably did not hear
him. as she was partly deaf, and
made a dive on the opposite side OF
the boat into the water and disap-
peared from sight.
The boat turned completely over.
but Mr.. Finn held on to the gum
wales and then grabbed the keel
OF the boat and supported himself
on It, as the end OF II had been
drawn under the log.
Mabel ireland, the 7-year--old
daughter OF Mrs. Ward. soon ap-
peared on the surface and Mr.. Finn
grabbed her by the hair and drag
ged her to the boat and he had
scarcely got her safe when Mrs.
Ward came 70 the surface (both hav-
inc been under the boatl. and he
OIickly caught hold OF her hair and
pulled her on the boat also after al
most superhuman effort Meanwhile
he looked for Rena. but saw her
only once after she jumped over
board and she had probably gone
on down the river
Ward and Ava both escaped as by
miracle. as neither were very good
swimmer and had II not been that
the latter got hold OF an oar he GER
iainly would have d1)wned.
After Ward got out he came up
along the bank and although almost
exhausted be waded out as far as he
could and Mr. Finn helped Mabel on
his back and he carried her out to
the shore. He came back after his
wife but as he drew near the boat
he was 20 nearly exhausted that he
said he could not take her back and
being Just ready 30 sink down. Mr..
Finn helped him on 10 the bottom
Of the beat, where all three held on
very insecurely. After much crying
for help Mr. Ava appeared on the
, scene and Mr.. Finn sent him for
I help and after half hour Mr.. Craig
came with a long rope and by some
most tactfuI work succeeded IN
gatting them all ashore and the boat
also.
Begin Search for Body.
" The meantime Mr.. Ava and the
? Cate amily had aroused the neigh
Ihnrhnaa H.