The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-07-13
TWO MEN LOSE
LIVES IN POOL
Herman Erickson and John
HOjer Drowned at the
Sanitarium.
CAUSE OF ACCIDENT
REMAINS A MYSTERY
Boys Give a Statement as TO
Action of Unfortunate
Bathers.

|
Herman Erickson. aged 20 years. and
John Hojer, aged AZ years. Bingham
miners, were drowned in the big pool at
| the SanItarium, 5. West Third south
street. yesterday morning at $3.50 O'Clock.
Although four boys Were In the pool at
the time OF the drowning and saw the
| men racing through the water with each
, other. none of them saw enough OF the
tragedy to furnish a definite reason for
the drowning
Willard Bean, manager Of the Sani-
tarium. saw the two men enter the build
ing about 915 a. m. and although he
said It was apparent that they had been
drinking. they were not what he would
characterize as drunk.
Acting Coroner Harry s. Harper was
called TO the Sanitarium shortly after
| the drowning, and announced that no
inquest would be held. MS 1t was appar-
snt that both deaths were purely acci-
dental. After an examination of the
bodies and clothes. the bodies were
ordered removed to the O'Donnell un-
dertaking establishment.
when the two men were admitted to
were already there Fifteen or twenty
minutes after the men had entered the
water water one one Of Of the boys rushed into the
drowning in the big pool
Floating Face Downward.
his head partly covered by the water.
The body was very quiet. There was
not a ripple around him. He was about
In the center OF the pool where the water
was but four and one-half feet deep, r
brought him to the walk around the
pool There were signs OF life. but work
over him as we might. he died before
the arrival OF DR.. F. II. Raley
1T was at that time that the other
boys told me the other man was in the
hn Il 1-e.,l Il. 10.
and began diving. After about three
minutes search found the body OF
HoJer on the bottom In seven feet of
water, in the southwest corner OF the
pool directly under the springboard. He
was dead
when the boys discovered that some
fore bringing the news to me. They |
said that they believed the mon were
feigninE drowning.
~ can give no explanation for the ac-
cident, other than that the first man !
was overcome with failure OF the heart.
Induced by drink and weakness The
water in which he drowned WAS not over
his head 1t is possible. that Hojer. real
izing the danger OF his friend, started
to go to his assistance. fell stunned
himself and dropped Into the water,
Boys Tell Story.
Cyril Whiteley. aged 1o years. of llsl
Wilson avenue. and Floyd Morehouse,
aged 13 years. of 1909 Eleventh East
street, were in the pool AT the time OF
The drowning of the men The story |
~ told by Whiteley. and agreed TO by
Morehouse, follows.
i saw the men when they came in.
lhe heavier man was drunken than the
,ther one who had a mustache 1t took
he heavier man u good deal longer TO
get his clothes off than IL did the lighter
nan. After they both got iuto the pool
hey played about In the shallow water
or awhile. and we asked them which
'ould swim the faster. The man with
he mustache said lie could and he |
wan across the pool twice. The heavier | q
nan sat on the side OF the pool for 9
he mustache began diving and ducking {
ach other. I
1--WE didn't pay much attention TO y
hem for awhile then. but we had seen
he smaller man go down and rot come T
p. We thought he was Just diving for I
nan also had disappeared but we L
hought maybe they had gone out OF the $
ool when we were not noticing them. I
We looked around awhile and did not
&c them and VIC then gave an alarm. b
IN attendant came and began "A search. u
he smaller man was found in the middle | :
the pool where the water was shall
w. Ho was taken out and an attempt n
'as made 10 bring him TO life but he I,
'as dead. The larger man WAS found
ooi. and effort also was made To is
ring him 10 life. but he also was dead u
hen taken out" b
Both Men Single. -
Herman Erickson. nj tho time OF his ;,
,Gth. an employee OF tho Utah nj
opper company at Bingham. lie had gI
zen In the camp about three and one
az years. and although he has a num- | cs
n OF distant relations In the camp, b,