Pocahontas star herald., 1915-09-24
PIONEER CITIZEN is
DROWNED IN River

I
citizens Of Pooahontas were shocked
with the news that one Of their
number, MIR. John S. Campbell, had
been drowned in Elovennoiuts nv.
er. Immediately a search was be.
gun 10 ascertain if the report were
true and ndlspulablo evidences Of
the fatal accident was soon found.
Early Thursday morning Mr.. Camp
belhnad lett hls home in Pocahon-
tas with a wagon aud team and
started TO his farm across Adams
Ford on Elevenpoiuts river lie
told his family that he would re.
turn that night. lie failed 10 re-
turn, aud although his wife was
somewhat uneasy, she thought that
be had probably spent the night al
hls farm, as he had o'ten done, aud
that be would return the following
day. When he failed 10 return
Friday, hts sou, Attorney r. W.
Campbell OF Pocahontas. together
with a search party. began a search
aud after inquiry aud examination
OF the ford winch Mr.. Campbell
was supposed to have crossed, they
concluded that he must have been
drowned IN trying to cross. Their
belief was subsiauiiated when on
Saturday morning the wagon and
the bodies of the drowned horses
were found IN The river near the
forl. Then began a careful, pains
taking, uTeless search for the drown
ed mans body. People, friends
and relatives Of Mr.. Campbell,
lined the river on both Ides almost
frantic IN their efforts to rescue the
body from the rivers relentless
grasp. Boats aud drags Of all kinds
were employed. dynamite vas
used. For two days and nights
the search was incessant. Finally
early Monday morning the body
was found by J. G.. Carter about a
mile from the scene Of the drown
ing, lodged against the wagon bed
against which it had hoated during
the previous night.
! No one will ever know Just how
the drowning occurred, but 1t Is
supposed that Mr.. Campbell, who
was an excellent swimmer, lost his
life while trying to rescue his horses
after his wagon bed had overturned.
John S. Campbell was 6s years,
6 months and Is days old. lie was
born IN the state of Illinois, and
while yet a young man removed
with other members of his fathers
family and settled on Elevenpoints
River near Birdell. There he spent
the primal years of his life. He
was one of the pioneers of Randolph
county, and ms life was a beautiful
example of truth, loyalty, honesty
and industry. lie was one among
the stalwart yeomanry of tins coun-
try, one Of the sturdy oaks in the
fast falling forest. lie vas of old
! type Of great and good men who
have guided the destinles Of this
country IN the perilous days of its
infancy. They are passing one by
one, oh. too swift it seems! Only
God knows with what reluctance we
give them up, But we are grateful
10 the great God that they are leav.
( ing behind them upon their descend
ants the imprint of their noble
character. Forty years ago Mr..
Campbell professed a saving faith
in Christ and ever since has been a
valiant soldier Of the cross.
Mr.. Campbell was first married
to Mrs. Alcy McClain now de-
ceased. and of this marriage were
born James w. Campbell now Of
Shreveport, La, Will Campbell of
Oklahoma, T. w. Campbell of Pc.
cahontas, and Joseph Campbell of
Shreveport, La. lie was later
married TO a Mrs. Thompson, now
deceased, and later to a Mrs. Lakey,
who still survives him. He is also
survived by three brothers, George
Campbell and Will Campbell, who
live near Blrdell and James Camp
bell, who lives in Illinois. Besides
these and other relatives John S.
Campbell leaves surviving an in
Vulnerable host Of friends who re-