Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1912-09-18
J.. d. sMELTzER MEETS DEATH
In Swimming Pool ut the Columbia
y. NJ. &. a.
Columbia Record, 12th.)

"
acute indigestion in the swimming
pool Of the Young Mems Christian
Association this morning.. Mr.. Smelt-
ger, who Is known by all the college
men of the State as an athlete Of
superior prowess, was swimming
with a friend, II. G. Duncan, when
the accident happened. When in
the middle Of the pool Mr.. Smeltzer
was seen by Mr.. Duncan to throw
up his hands and call for help. Mr..
Duncan, who is q poor swimmer,
could give no assistance, so he called
for help. Mr.. Sratton, secretary of
the institutions; Mr.. Ross, the physi-
cal director, and a personal friend Of
Mr.. SmeltZer, and others rushed to
the scene but they we're too late, for
death had overtaken the young man,
and their efforts at resuscitation
were without avail.
j. b. SmeltZer, who lived with his
uncle and aunt, Mr.. and Mrs. p. II.
Haltiwanger, at 1929 Elmwood ave-
nue., left his home in the best Of
spirits. He went to the Y. NJ. C. A..
building and secured a towel from
Mr.. Coffin and went to the pool.
Shortly afterward Mr.. Duncan went
to the pool, where he met his friend,
Mr.. Smeltzer. According to Mr.. Dun
cans statement, young Shelter de-
scended into the pool and swan IT,
length Of 1t, and as he was coming
back in the middle Of the pool he
commenced to tread water, and,
throwing up his hands, called for
help. Mr.. Duncan, who Is a poor
swimmer, saw that he could not as
sist him, so he got out of the pool
and called for assistance. His cries
were heard by Mr.. Stratton, Mr..
Ross and others, who rushed to the
pool. When they arrived they saw
young Shelter lying face downward
on the bottom. One Of the men
jumped in, and, with the assistance
OF Mr.. Stratton, pulled the body out.
They Immediately endeavored to re-
suscitate him, but their efforts and
those Of two physicians, Drs. Knowl-
ton and Rice, who were called in,
were without avail.
Where Mr.. Smeltzer sank, It was
said, the water was not deeper than
the mans head. The bottom Of the
pool slopes gradually and the theory
was advanced that Mr.. Smeltzer must
hnye 0aen randerGG helpless by con.
Ecflion or iailur@ OF heart action. for
he nclll easily have waI64G from the
dt&ppT part u sHc UGSiu rc the shall
lor water. O.o =. HIS ..]4ua.ntan..s
said this afternoon that he had heard
that Smeltzer had partaken of bar
becued meat during the morning.
The chill of the water may have pro-
duccd acute indigestion, which affect
ed the heart of the victim, causing
him to become ]powerless in the wa
ter.
r. ID. Walker, zone for Rich
land county, made a preliminary in
Vestigation, and ordered the body
turned over to Mr.. Haltiwanger. lie
has reserved his decision until he
makes a more extensive examination
into the facts surrounding Mr..
Smeltzer's death.
The news Of the death of Young
SmeltZer soon spread over the city.
q md n,nnu nvprncc;rr, -
heard. He was a very popular
young man, and extensively known.
He was born in Columbia about 20
years ago., his parents being Mr.. and
Mrs. j. B. Shelter, who died when
he was very young. Mr.. Smeltzer
was adopted and reared by his aunt
and uncle, Mr.. and Mrs. p. II. Haiti
wanger. After graduating from the
Columbia High School he attended
Newberry College, from which he
graduated last year with the degree
OF a. Is. He was afterwards appoint
ed physical director of that college,
and he intended to assume his duties
when Ncwberry College opened in the
next few. weeks. 1t was also his
purpose to study for an NJ. A. degree
IN connection with his duties as phys
zeal director.
While at Ncwbcrry young Smcltzer
won an enviable reputation as an
athlete; his fame was Statewide. He
was captain OF his base ball team, and
was one OF the doubles who won the
intercollegiate championship of the
state last year. He entered enthu-
siastically into all the athletic actiyi-
ties OF his college, and his record for
scholarship is said to have been the