Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-10-03
RECOVER BODY
OF LIGHTkEEPER;.
ANOTHER MISSING
The Remains of Assistant Light
keeper Chester Brinkworth of
Crabtree Ledge Lig h t
Brought to Surface by Fish
lines -.

Hancock Point. Me, Oct. 1.-The body
of Chester Brinkworth, aged 30. assistant
keeper of Crabtree Ledge lighthouse. who
with his brother Leon. aged Is was
drowned Friday evening, was recovered
Monday morning 80 feet from the Light
house by George E. Moon, an uncle OK
the boys, and Ora Jordan of Hancock.
The body was brought to the surface by
means Of heavy fishing lines. The search
for the body of Leon Brinkworth Is being
continued, a large number of boats and
the crew of the government boat hibiscus
participating.
The finding of the body makes practi-
cally certain the theory that they, the
two keepers. met death after the younger
of the two, Leon, had fallen from the
ladder while carrying an armful OF pro-
visions. and his brother was drowned in
trying to save him.
The Beacon Of Death
While an investigation was being fnstl-
tuted by residents here Saturday after
noon to ascertain why the light was still
burning in the Crabtree lighthouse, which
lies a short distance off shore in the pain
of the Maine Central boats in their course
from Mt. Desert Ferry to Bar Harbor.
small boy from Pine Island camp lowed
to the wharf the lighthouse dory which
he had picked up adrift with oars prop
erlv shipped and painter dragging-evi'
dence that further confirmed the fears
that fatality had taken place at the
lone lighthouse Investigation disclosed
that the acting keeper of the light, Ches-
ter Brinkworth, and his brother Leon mad
undoubtedly been drowned near the lad
der of the light, probably sometime late
Friday afternoon The lighthouse was
found to be uninhabited but there was
mute evidence there of a tragic death OF
its keepers.
Brinkworth and his brother, who
had been assisting him temporarily.
were last seen Friday afternoon ana
lust before supper Leon came ashore
in the dory and made trip to the
store. He was seen to leave the wharf
on his return to the light but as 1t was
now dusk his course to the light was
not followed and what happened after
he passed out of sight will probably
never be known and only the bits OF
evidence patched together indicate
how the two keepers met their death
Fell from Ladder, Theory
It is supposed that in leaving the
boat to climb--the ladder with his
packages of provisions he slipped and
fell and that his brother in trying 10
rescue him was drowned too. bot
tie of milk cast up on the shofe uh-
broken is mute testimony to the fact
that some mishap befell the boy while
the dory, oars properly shipped ana
painter dragging indicate that the lao
had reached the lighthouse. the taple
set for supper. the light burning
brightly and steadily showed that all
preparations for the night mad peeh
made, and it is probable that win
bundles on one arm and the palntei
of the boat in the other hand, Leon
Rrinkworth lost his balance. his cali
for help summoning his brother ana
that both were drowned.
The regular keeper of the light is
+. Fl. Peaslee but he has been Ill TOT
some time at his home here and the
light has been in charge of the ASSIST
ant keeper.
Lighthouse Inspector c. +. Sherman
of Portland, of the first district, arrlv-
Cd at Hancock Point Sunday on the
government boat Hibiscus and work for
the recovery Of the bodies was begun
Was Popular Assistant
Chester Rrinkworth, the assistant
keeper. was courteous and genial and
much liked by Hancock Point residents
esneciaIv by the summer people. HIS
age was about 80 years. His brother.
Leon. was about IS. They are natives
Of Hancock Point. Chester, the as
sistant keeper. attended the common
schools and two years ago received ms
appointment as assistant keeper. Meth
err were married. They are survived
by their parents. Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph
Brinkworth of Hancock Point. by three
sisters, Mrs. Sarah Daizell OF Port
land. Mrs. Clara Gatcomb and Miss
Nora Brinkworth Of Hancock Point. and
brother, Joseph, aged 16, of Hancock
Point. The family has the sympathy or
hosts of friends.
The accident Is one Of the saddest
in all the years Of living toll taken by
the sea within the memory of the peo-
ple of the town. Both were bright, able
and highly esteemed young men, and
their tragic death has brought shock
and grief to friends and associates.