Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-31
MOTHER OVERCOME
DYSONS' DROWNING
Had Presentment That Some
thing Would Happen to Boys
at Picnic
YOUTH TRIES To'sAvE THEM

Mrs. Charles Kirschbaum is pros
trated with grief at her home, 1921
=, West venango street.
Her only children-the two boys she
SO reluctantly bade good by and allowed
to 20 on neighborhood picnic yester-
day morning-are lying in twin caskets
in the little living room. Besides the
memory Of their happy laughter as they
ran to join their comrades, she has a
story Of the older boys heroism to
think Of. The five sorrowful play
fellows who returned tell how Ellis
Kirschbaum, thirteen years old, gave
his own life in an attempt to rescue
his nine year old brother Herman from
drowning.
Mother instinct made Mrs. Kirsch-
baum refuse at first to let the boys go
on the picnic. She had horror Of
holiday accidents, and boys outing
without adults in the party did not ap
peal to her. But the father, remember
Ing his own boyhood delights, added his
persuasion to that of the children.
Visiting Nephew N
The parents were visiting nephew,
Sidney Luvin, who was run over by an
automobile last Friday, when the news
came of the death of their own children.
The story of the tragedy was told today
by Lees Hyland, 1926 North Bouvier
street, who risked his life trying to
save. his "pals." Lees is thirteen years
old. He sat on the doorstep of his
home today, his thick, fair hair touseled
and his blue eyes serious, as he talked.
Seven of us went to Paramount
Park" he said. 1--WE were just playing
games and racing till someone suggested
that we go wading. 1t was near the
falls Of Wissahickon creek, but we did
not think then about there being any
undertow. Little Hermie was the first to
get his, shoes and stockings off. We
told him not to get on the big rock,
but he laughed and climbed right on it.
He slipped into the water so quick, we
hadn't our stockings off yet. Ellis
knew he couldn't swim and he went
right after him. jerked my clothes
off and went after Ellis. I got him
and we dragged him back to the bank.
Studied First Aid
''lt was queer, wasn't it?'' The
freckled face Of the Hyland boy was
sober as he continued "Just the day
before I had been reading up on how
to give first aid to the drowning. You
know we study first aid in school. Sc
when we got Ellis out L did just what
the teacher told me to. 1t worked and
Ellis was sitting up, so was going
after Hermie. We had stick and We
had hooked it to the boys clothes and
would have had him out. but Ellis saw
him going under and dived in again
The stick broke and both the boys went
under. The water was deen there by
the rock. 1 can swim, but I was afraid
Of the undertow. 1t carried the boys
down quickly" .....
Dozens of neighbor lads and schoo
mates from the Cleveland school called
at the Kirschbaum home today to ex-
!, press their sympathy. All up and down
the street the Kirschbaum children were
known and liked. and solemnity reign
ed throughout the neighborhood today
The mother is so broken with grief that
callers have been denied. Her sobs anC
cries could be heard by passersby.
Arrangements arc being made for 6
quiet funeral from the home tomorrow
| afternoon.