Arizona republican., 1918-06-11
ACCIDENT |S
 VERDICT FOUND

Leota Beamon, a 19-year- old girl was drowned and R. Guy Davidson and Mrs. Alice Thralls, her companion, narrowly escaped the same fate when the members of a jolly party went in swimming at Joint Head late Sunday night. It was not until ' o'clock yes terday that the girls body was found and as yet her relatives have not been located. She came from Colorado Springs and it is believed that she has a mother living at that place, but little of her history became known at the in- quest held before Coroner De Souza yesterday.
 How a merry party was turned into a tragedy was told by Davidson and on his testimony and that of others who witnessed the drowning of the girl and the finding of her body, the jury returned verdict of accidentai drowning.
 Twice the girl went under and at last realizing her plight she raised her hand above the water and pitifully screamed for help.
 Twice she pulled the man and wom- an under the water with her until their strength was spent and they could only escape with their own lives.
 Only 100 yards away were countless bathers who failed to hear the cries and render the aid that might have saved the life of the water victim.
 She was drowned before midnight and the search for her body continued through the night and the early morn ing hours until found by three young boys.
 Davidson stated that he, the girl. Mrs. Thralls and J. l.. McMire met al Joint Head and passed the evening to- gether. Mrs. Thralls and McMire swan across the river and the Beamon girl, who could not swim, suggested to Davidson that he go over, Don't let me spoil the sport" she is said to have pleaded.
 Tn the afternoon I had waded across in shallow water" testified Davidson. T suggested that we try it. Mrs. Thralls swan back and we started to cross, Miss Beamon between us" Davidson stated that when they came to deep water he and Mrs. Thralls swam and the girl, still clutch ing them floated on, one on either side, as when they started across. Both | Davidson and Mrs. Thralls testified that they were nearly drowned when Miss Beamon in a death grip nearly dragged them to the bottom. Swept by current into deep water, she grasped | tightly to her companions and twice pulled them underneath the water. Their strength gone, they were unable to aid the girl when she shrieked for help and went down a third time.
 MT. Davidson stated that, nearly drowned as he was, he recalled that there were bathers 100 yards above but | they failed to hear the cries for help. Finally help came and word was sent to the Tempe authorities. When no one came from the southside a trip was made to the slaughter house from where Davidson telephoned the sher- ifs office. Deputies Warren, Balsz and Nafzinger searched until o'clock yesterday morning and the search was resumed at dayr~ht and a group of boys, Francis and Jack Kinney and o'clock almost where it went down.
 Until 10 days ago, the Beamon girl was employed at the Fayway shop more recently being an employee al Korrick's. She knew Davidson for two months but her acquaintance with Mrs. Thralls only began on Sunday when she met her before taking the fatal plunge in the Joint Head waters
 McMire was also unknown to thL girl until that evening and weak from swimming across the stream he was unable to go to her aid or to tnat ot his friends although he waded mil stream and directed their course. On the coroners jury were W. A Roundtree, L. R. Wise, s. T. Harris John E. Hubert, James Thomas and Parham Glover.