Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-07-05
TWO DAVENPORT
RESIDENTS ARE
RIVER VICTIMS
Walter Shell and Charles Early
Drown While Celebrat-
ing Fourth.
FORMER AT WATCH TOWER
Latter Fell from Log Into Mississippi
at Lin"ood-InabiIity to Swim
Cost Life.

When his cries for help were I'M
Needed by score of campers who
thought he was joking, Walter ScheII,
age 10, of Davenport, was drowned in
the Rock river one-half mile east OF
the Watch Tower, about 3 O'Clock
yesterday afternoon. Schell and a
companion, whose name is Logan, had
rented a boat from the Peterson boat
livery company and after rowing
about for a short time disrobed and
entered the water
Logan is an expert swimmer but
Schell was not and It is the supposi-
ton that owing to the wind the boat
drifted away. from the latter and be-
ing unable to catch f. he drowned
Immediately after the drowning Dep
uty c. Donavin conducted an inquest
and after hearing the testimony of
four witnesses of the accident the
coroner's jury returned a verdict that
death was caused by accidental
drowning
THOUGHT IT JOKE.
At the time of the drowning there
were number of launches in the
vicinity but the occupants of the boats
thought the boys were trying to plCy
joke and none of them went TO their
assistance. Logan tried repeatedly
10 save his companion and when aid
finally did arrive he was so exhaust
ed that in a few moments he would
have drowned also.
After the body was taken from the
river an effort was made to resusci-
tate 1t and after working over one
hour the rescuers gave up hope II is
said that at one time a slight move
ment OF the eyelids was noticed. but
further than this there was nc signs
of life.
Campers who live near the scene of
the drowning stated yesterday that
at all times there is a high wind
and it is thought that the boat upon
which the drowned boy was depending
for safety was blown beyond his reach
and he was not proficient enough in
the art of swimming to reach it,
After the coroner's jury had com
plcted their investigation the body
was taken to the home of the young
mans parents at Davenport.
SECOND VICTIM.
Charles Early of Davenport was
drowned in the river at Linwood yes
ierday afternoon about O'Clock when
he slipped from a log on which he
vas riding into water 20 feet deep.
He was unable to swim and after dis
appearing from sight never came to
the surface until search for the body
vas started by rescuers. Early was
but y years old and was the son of
Mr.. and Mrs. John Early, 126 East
Fifteen street.
According to reports Early and
two companions were padding in the
water on log just before the drown
ing occurred. There is step
of about 60 feet from the shore
and unknowingly the trio passed
from the shallow into deep water
The two companions dropped from
the log when out considerable dis
lance and Early kept on padding
cu- into the river. After getting be
yond his depth he released his hold
on the log and let down into the
water which he supposed wss only a
few feet deep. His compassion saw
him sink from sight and an effort
was made TO reach him in order that
he might be rescued when he came
up the second time. He was evident
ly caught by an under current and his
body never came to the surface
He was a stenographer in the EN-
ploy Of the Smith Brothers & BurdicB
Wholesale Grocery company, and was
4 popular and we'll known young man
Besides his parents he is survived by
one sister. Miss Daisy Early of Dav
export.