Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1915-10-21
MARl|NG MILLER DROWNED
Clings to Overturned Canoe for
Four Hours.
Only Thrift Yards from Shallow Wat
err When Strength Gives Out
Douglass Rutter, His COmpan-
ion, Reaches Shore.

Marling, the &c years old son of Mr..
and Mrs. Harry H. Miller of Sc Brookes
avenue, was drowned Saturday morning
near Starr Farm Beach, where he rad
gone duck hunting, after he and his COM
panion. Douglas Ruuer, had waged Il
four hours battle for life In the water,
clinging to their overturned canoe. When
Markings strength gave out and he sank,
Douglas managed to work a distance to
shallow water, right the canoe on a
sandbar, and reach the shore. From the
camp he teephoned his father and about
two hours later his friends body was
found.
The two boys started out about eight
o o'clock Saturday morning for days
duck hunting. AS it was chilly. they wore
heavy clothing. They were on the shore
north Of Starr Farm, not intending at
first to go out In a canoe. But a flock
Of wild ducks was on the surface just
a little ways out and the boys got a
canoe. AS they padded closer the flock
took flight and went out farther. \ shot
was fired. and then they noticed a
wounded duck. And in their excitement
to give chase the canoe was over
turned
Both boys We're good swimmers, but
they were weighted with thick clothing
and heavy shoes. and were about a mile
from shore. They chung desperately to
the canoe, managing to keep it bottom
side up, as they found il would best
support them that way. The Ruttor boy
was able to rest more of his weight on
the boat, but young Miller somewhat
heavier, could not succeed In doing more
than cling. He was cautioned not to
struggle so hard but said he was not
tired. Once the two boys saw man on
the shore and called. and he stopped as
If he heard, but went on. Their cries for
help remained unanswered. Finally, they
hear the noon whistles blowing.
When Marling sank exhausted. without
ever rising. he was only about 80 yards
from shallow water. Douglas. who a
rev years ago saved Howard Miller
brother OF Marllng, from drowning, man
aged to work the little distance to shall
low water and there rghted the canoe.
Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Rutter. accompan-
led by Howard and Ruth Miller, brother
and sister of Marling, rushed by auto
mobile to the camp. They were joined
soon by Ernest Spauldng. a friend of
Mr.. Miller, and located, after little
search, marks of the canoe on a sand
bar. and put up n marker to guide them.
with Mr.. Miller and Mr.. Spauldng in
one boat and Mr.. Rutter, Douglas Rutter
and Howard Miller In another they
started slowly to drag. Soon Mr., Miller's
hook caught in a depth the length of
n sevenfoot oar Mr. Miller called Mr..
that II 1t proved to be the body both
hooks would be caught in the clothing
Mr.. Rutter's hook also caught The
lines were thin, but as the men from the
city, with trolling and graphing hooks.
summoned by telephone We're nowhere
in sight, MIR, Miller and Mr.. Rutter
pulled easily on the lines. lest they should
break, Between the two boats the body
was brought slowly to the surface.
Marling Taylor Miller, who was l6
years old last May 49, was the oldest
son He Is survived by three sisters and
Rutter to drag over the same spot SO