Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1913-07-10
ACCIDENTAL DROWNING
]. S. Dennis, Young Business Man, Falls
Into Pond and Dies Several Hours
After Being Rescued

John Dennis, BON of Mr.. and Mrs. j.
s. Dennis died early Saturday morning
after having been rescued From q swim
ming pool into which he hal fallen the
afternoon before,
John and his wife spent the 4th with
his parents, taking dinner with them
Shortly afterward he and his wife and
brother Fred went to the pond, which
is about 400 feet from the house. The
two young TALBOT boys were swimming
in the pond and John, who was dressed
in a bathing suit went out onto the
spring board and sat down to watch
them. In some manner he fell from
the board into the water which il quite
deep at that poiat, and being unable to
swim, sank at once to the bottom. Leon
Talbot went to his assistance and Mr..
Dennis caught hold of him and pulled
him under. Young Talbot realized he
could not tow him TO shore and made a
frantic effort to release himself, which
he did and secured help. Had he been
unable to release himself he too might
have met the same fate.
Fred Dennis saw the distress his
brother was in and went to the ice
house nearby securing long pole, on
the end of which was large hook.
When he reached the pond the stick
was too short and he went after another
one. About that time other members
of the family had reached the pond and
with the aid of the hook John was taken
out of the water, having been submerged
not more than four minutes. MIR. Dennis
had gone down for the third time but
fortunately the hook caught in his
bathing suit at the shoulder and he was
taken from the water without much
difficulty Efforts 10 resuscitate him
were Immediately made and a doctor
summoned. He was placed over bar
rel and the water taken ont. of him.
He RECLAIMED consciousness and talked to
his wife and parents when taken to the
house. He complained repeatedly Of
being unable to get his breath and il is
thought his lungs were so full of water
that he could not overcome the shock
and died late in the night.
Mr.. Dennis who conducted confec-
tionery stand, was not accustomed to
being out in the hot sun, and the attend.
ing physician is of the opinion that he
tainted while sitting on the spring
board. He had eaten o hearty dinner
and was dressed only in bathing suit
anu uO AldJ Oll- ITO HAS OCOu SuUltCI 10
fainting spells and il is altogether prob
able that the physician is correct.
The news of the drowning spread
rapidly. Early in the evening reports
came that he had regained conscious.
ness and the people were in hopes his
life would yet be spared, but early the
next morning they were sadly disap-
pointed to hear of his death.
John was splendid young man. He
was conducting nice clean business
and by close application, was making
success, He was very popular with all
classes and seemed TO understand the
wants of his customers. His death is
indeed unfortunate and his young wife,
parents, brothers and sisters have the
sympathy of the entire community in
this sad hour of bereavement.
John Smith Dennis. was born in
Stuart Jan. "a. 1880 and died July 5,
1919 aged 33 years. 5 monthss and z
days. When five years of age he moved
with his parents to Audubon where he
grew to young manhood. Dec. 20, 1903
he was united in marriage at Chicago
to Miss Abbie Leotha Pefiey. About
two and half years ago he came back
to Audubon and engaged in business
until the time of his death. He is sur
vived by his wife. father and mother,
five brothers and two sisters, as follows:
Chas. H., of Carroll, Robert p, of Los
Angeles, Calf, Geo. A., of Seaside.
Ore, Mrs. Ella Cummins. of Atlantic.
Fred b.. Matte, and William of this
city. One sister, Lucy, preceded him
to the spirit world
Funeral services were held at the M.
e. church Monday at 2;30 p. m, con