The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-10-20
Edward N. Rodney Lost
His Life in Stevens
Branch Saturday
LOST HIS BALANCE
IN THROWING ROCK
Drowning Took Place Near
Harrison Granite
Co.'S Plant

While playing on the grout pile at
the rear of Harrison's stoneshed on
River street Saturday afternoon, Ed
ward Napoleon Rodney, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. Joseph E. Rodney, lost his balance
in throwing a large granite chip into
the Stevens branch, fell from the l2-
faot embankment and was drowned.
The body was recovered about half an
hour later by Charles Frattini and
Caesar Calderara, who, in a small boat
owned by Mr.. Frattini, dragged the
river with long steel rake and man
aged to bring the body to the surface
by securing the teeth of the rake in
the boys clothing DR.. J. w. Stewart
was the first physician to arrive on the
scene and was there when the body was
taken from the water, but life was ex-
tinet, and the work of the two doctors,
DR.. o, G.. Stickney having arrived soon
after DIR. Stewart, was in vain.
Mr.. Rodney, who is teamster for
w. A. Bradford, was, at the time, pre-
pairing for dinner. 1t had always been
customary for him to call his two
younger sons, Edward and James, to
help him unhiteh the team whenever he
drove into the yard. At this time,
only James, his 7year.old son, was
near the barn and assisted In the work,
and the absence of the other son was
not noticed James, the younger son,
knowing that his father objected to his
children playing near the river and had
several times reprimanded them for it,
evidently went to notify his older
brother of his fathers arrival He had
just reached the spot when he saw his
brother topple over the bank in an en-
deavor to throw the comparatively
large granite stone into the river.
This spot is at least 200 yards from
the house and in order to retrace his
steps home the younger boy had to
cross ever about 100 yards Of rough
grout pile. He told his father Of the
brothers plight, whereupon, Mr. Rod
ney rushed to the river by the nearest
passage, whcih was considerable dis
tance from the place where Edward
had fallen in. He followed along the
river bank, edged with large, loose
chips Of granite, until he noticed a
small cart which the brothers had been
playing with. In his. anxiety to reach
the spot he stepped close 70 the edge
Of the bank; the stones gave way and,
had he not thrust himself backward
at the same time catching hold Of his
little son, James, both might have also
suffered seriously with a drop of II feet
to rough rocks, directly from which
there is deep water Regaining his
feet, the father noticed the body almost
in midstream and not being able to
swim, could do nothing to save the lad, /,
who was waving his arms slightly at
the time
Approach to the waters edge is very
difficult along the river at this place
and it was with some difficulty that
the two men, who recovered the body,
reached the bank again with the body
1t was very evident that the children
had been playing at the river bank be-
fore, as q small tree which protrudes
from the embankment had most of its
branches severed Along the edge of
the bank was a path probably made
by the youngsters, and who, it is be-
lieyed, were working on their path Sat
urday forenoon.
Edward Rodney was born in Barre
Nov. Ia, 1907. He leaves, besides his
parents, sister, Irene. 10, and two
brothers, Joseph, Is. and james Z.
The funeral will be held at st. Mon
ica's church Tuesday morning at 8
| o'clock, with interment in the Catholic
cemetery on Beckley street