The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-07-11
FARGO GIRL dies
In LAKE TRAGEDY;
STEAMER CARRIES
SEVEN TO DEATH
Excursion Boat Hit by
Squall, Sinks Suddenly
Two Survive
MOODY STORE CLERK J
ON VACATION TRIP
Bodies of Three Recovered
This Morning Survivor
Says No Chance to Act

Seven people went to their
death by the capsizing of an ex.
cursion steamer on Big Stone
lake, near Ortonville, MINI,
Tuesday night, the tragedy vic.
TINS including Miss Betsy Erick.
son, Fargo, clerk at the A. L,
Moody store, and her sister,
Miss Hazel Erickson, Audubon,
MINI. Their aunt, Miss Belle
Larson, with whom they were
visiting, also went to her death
when the steamer overturned in
a storm. The bodies of Miss
Larson and Miss Betsy Erick-
son were recovered today.
The other victims were Peter Luff,
Ortonville, owner of the boat; Albert
Nelson, OrtonviIIe; Patrick Wealth
erby, Ortonville, and B. Sweeney, a
barber, of Ellsworth, Mimi.
The excursion steamer Muskegon
went down during a fierce storm
that broke over the lake very sud-
denly.
Hope that any of the people aboard
the vessel with the exception of Ole
Tranberg, engineer on the boat, and
David Manvoil, 12-year-old boy, who
made their way to the shore through
the heavy waves, had survived, was
abandoned today.
The bodies of Miss Larson, who
was entertaining her two nieces, and
Miss Betsy Erickson were recovered
this morning.
Tranberg, telling of the accident
at Ortonville this morning. said the
squall struck the steamer almost
without warning, and there was no
time to do anything to save the boat
or its occupants.
On Vacation Trip.
Miss Betsy Erickson had q host of
warm friends in Fargo, where she
had been working for nearly five
years at the A. L. Moody depart
ment store. For some time past she
had been at the glove counter, and
was among the best-liked OF that
last Saturday night on her vacation,
accompanied by her sister, Miss
Hazel Erickson, who lived at home
at Audubon, Mimi, and who had
spent day visiting in Fargo.
The Misses Erickson were daugh-
ters of Mr.. and Mrs. H. F. Erickson,
of Audubon, and have a brother,
Fred Erickson, located in Fargo, he
being a member of the firm known
as Steen, Berg G. Erickson, PIT First
avenue north. They are also surviv-
ed by a sister, Miss Clara Erickson,
who resides at home. Miss Betsy
Erickson had been rooming at the J.
E. Orbom home, 703 First street
north, Fargo. -...
Bodies in Cabin.
The bodies of Miss Larson and
Miss Betsy Erickson were recover
ed in the cabin of the overturned
body, the women being trapped in
there as the boat was capsized.
Survivor Tells Story.
Ole Tranberg, engineer, was at the
stern of the vessel, a 75-foot launch,
when the squall hit it. He was preci-
pitated into the water, but managed
TO Chamber back on the overturned
boat.
He then attempted the rescue of
Luff, the owner, but was unable to
accomplish it. A few moments later,
he hand of the young boy. David
Manvoit, was seen by Tranberg,
sticking up out of the water, and he
in pulling the lad out of
-hs water and onto the boat.
Wind Carries Boat Toward Shore.
The boat was about a mile and a
half north of Manhattan island, |
about seven miles north of Orton- |
Vile, when the accident happened. |
The boat was carried toward Man
haitian island by the wind, and when |
about three quarters of a mile out, |
Tranberg quit the boat and swan l
TO shore, giving first news of the |
tragedy.
When Tranberg and rescuers re-
turned, the lad was till clinging to |
he overturned vessel, almost ready |
10 abandon the fight for life, how |
aver, as the high waves dashed over
he hull.
The tragedy occurred about $3.50 /
o'clock, according to Tranberg.