The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1917-08-02
Tragedy at Plunge Bath,
A Young Lady Drowned
Miss Carrie Warren, Promi-
nent washington Girl, Lost
Life at Plunge Bath
Miss Daisie Bowman Mar
rowly Escapes Death
at Same Time

The first tradegy of the plunge bath
in this city occurred Friday night in
the startling announcement that Miss
Carrie Warren, a prominent young
lady of Washington, had been drown
ed, and her companion, Miss Daisy
Bowman, of washington, had narrow
ly escaped drowning, while bathing
at the plunge.
An automobile party of young ladies
of Washington came to Miller Friday
night. The party consisted of Misses
Carrie Warren, Hilda Lund, Ferne
Gordon, Daisie Bowman, Mildred
Rogers, chaperoned by Mr.. and Mrs.
Clyde McNiel. They left washington
about $50 P. M. Arriving in
Miller they drove to the plunge bath,
where many bathers had enjoyed
the cool waters during the evening.
When the washington party arrived,
most of the bathers had retired. All
of the party went into the plunge ex-
cept Mrs. Clyde McNiel, who remaied
OF the bank watching them.
Report Of the Accident
This lady's death is the first ser
ious accident since establishment of
the plunge. and the community was
greatly startled and saddened by
this undreamed of misfortune. The
accident must have occurred at or
near ten o'clock, after most of the
evening bathers had withdrawn.
However. 1t was quickly disclosed
by a reporters investigation, that
some of the details are rather I'M
certain in the minds of those pres
ent, due to the excitement and hor-
ror of the tragdy, which have occa-
stoned numerous stories and ex-
aggerations.
In the plunge az the time, in addl,
ton to the washington party, were
three young men from Rec Heights.
They were Hugh Gardner, H. H.
Wareing and Edward Suhn, and some
smaller boys. The young men were
padding about with a board raft.
Girls Fall From Raft
Two of the washington girls,
Miss Warren and Miss Bowman,
climed onto the board raft, and were
being pushed about by the young men
from Rec Heights. In time the raft
was pushed into deep water. In some
way-nobody appears to know just
how-the raft was tipped and both
girls slid off into the water. In the
subsequent excitement and efforts of
the men, Miss Bowman was rescued
and taken to the shore, in a frightened
and suffering condition. While those
present were gathered about her,
Mrs. Clyde McNiel suddenly asked:
Where is Carrier" Miss Warren
had disappeared, and then it was
realized by the dazed people that a
serious tradegy confronted them.
Help Summoned
Mr.. VIM. Schroeder, owner of the
plunge. had gone home, leaving the
place in charge Of his young relative
Harold (Stub) Schroeder. William
Schroeder and his hired man Axel
Olson, were both summoned from bed
in their nearby homes, and telephone
messages were sent for Doctors Wal
lis, Wilson, and Redman. DR.. Sweet
land also came In a short time.
Efforts were made by first corners
to locate the body of the unfortunate
young lady, but the men appeared to
be poor swimmers, or were unable
from some cause or other to accom-
plish much. A telephone message
brought Bayard Christ on a run of
five blocks, and being an expert swim
mer and diver ne was quickly in the
plunge.
Body Recovered
On his second dive Bayard located
the body and raised it to the surface
In about seven feet of water. Other
men helped him to the shore, and the
doctors began work to resussitate
her. They worked for about forty
minutes. but without avail. She must
have been in the water some thirty
minutes, and life was extinct. The
soul of this vivacious, popular girl
had passed to the great beyond. which
gives back no record for mortal eye
to see.
Body Sent to Washington
The body was taken to the Under