Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1916-03-30
DROWNING OF
LESTER KELLY
Last Saturday Morning, While
Crossing SpensIey's Creek,
In the City Limits.

Lester Kelly was drowned in what is
known as Spensley's creek, near the
home of Reuben Ellsworth, Saturday
morning at about half past eight
o'clock. Kelly was employed by the
Mineral Point Public Service Company,
and with his fellow Orkman William
Gillen, had started out for the Clan
vile mine at Linden, to do some repair
work there. They had team
from Harker's livery barn, and two
seated canopy top rig. The hind seat
was removed and their tools occupied
its place. They went on and over the
bridge at the foot of the steep hill west
or mist that morning which prevented
them from seeing clearly the terrible
food raging across the lower ground
west of the bridge. When they struck
this food the rig began to float and
threatened to Overturn, and Gillen
jumped from the rig; while Kelly, who
was driving, held to the lines and tried
to guide the team to safety, but he and
the team ard all were swept down
stream. When Gillen jumped he man
aged to reach d fence post, just sticking
above the water and clung to it, and
called loudly for help. His cries
reached Mr. Ellsworth and family on
the west bank of the stream, and they
telephoned to town for help saying that
there was a man drowning in the river,
and called DR.. Ludden.
John Ellsworth, who was at the
creamery and first heard the cry,
mounted a horse and tried to go to the
rescue; but the horse was unable to
breast the current.
While clinging to the post, as the
mist cleared for time, Gillen could
see Kelly and the team being carried
swiftly hundred yards or more down
stream.
When DR.. Ludden was called, he
came down onto the street and secured
Henry Zweifel with his motor truck to
take him and others to the scene of the
accident With the doctor and Henry
went Elmer Peters, Morris Dobson,
Harold Martin and Leo Nippa.
They stopped at Morris Dobson's
home and secured long rope. On the
way down to the stream, they met Pierce
Glanville, mail carrier on route three,
who had turned back fearing to cross
He had heard cries for help; but, as it
was foggy he could not see clearly, but
heard Mr. Ellsworth's voice and sup
in trouble. When the rescue party ar
rived, they made out Gillen clinging to
the post; and Dr.. Ludden and Nippa
taking the end of the rope with others
holding on behind, waded in, and
rescued him.
Both horses were found dead, washed
out on the bank of the stream at the
foot of what is called Castle rock They
were loose from the rig.
Many men and boys followed the
banks of the stream, searching for
Lester Kelley; but no trace of him was
found until after 10 o'clock, when Mr.
Ellsworth spied his body on the
east side of the stream, lodged against
a fallen tree; and called to Joseph
Harker, Nicholas Webber and others
who were on the east side and near at
hand, and they reaching in by clasping
hands drew the body out of the water.
The buggy was afterwards found
short distance above the point
where Kelly's body was found.
Mr.. Gillen was in the water for near
ly three quarters of an hour and was
badly cramped and nearly exhausted;
but he now seems to be recovering
without serious injury. He recently
came here from st. Paul and only that
morning began to work for the com
pany here.
Lester Kelly was fine young man,
aged about % years. He was son of
Mr. and Mrs James Kelly of Dodgeville,
but has lived in Mineral Point for
several years aud was very well liked
by all who knew him. He leaves
wife and four children. His wife is
the second daughter of our townspeople
Mr. and Mrs William II. Blewett.
The people of both communities,
Dodgeville and Mineral Point, unite in
extending heartfelt sympathy to his
bereaved family