The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1919-11-24
Kenneth F. Mohler and Elof
Gustafson Drowned When
Ice Gives Way
BOTH FINE BOYS AND
COMMUNITY SHOCKED
Were on Trip to Ascertain If
Trap Had Caught Any,
thing; Failed to Return

After a search lasting from Satur-
.day night until late Sunday fore
moon, the bodies of two lads, Ken
meth Ford Mohler and Elof Gustaf-
con. were discovered under the ice OF
Lake Bemidji, eighty rods to the
south of Point No. 2, telltale hole
telling mutely the fate of the youth
full companions.
Fail To Return.
The boys had asked their parents
to look after some traps they had set
to catch a skunk and had been per-
mitted to go late in the afternoon
They took their skates and sled and
set out, but failed to return and it
was growing late when the father Of
one of the drowned boys, Thomas
Mohler, teaming contractor, residing
at 1104 Minnesota avenue, became
worried over the nOn-return and
commenced search to locate his
son, and his companion. Help was
secured and the search continued, un-
til about 2 O'Clock Sunday morning,
being resumed about o'clock a. M,
Joined in by several we'll known citi-
zens of Bemidji and neighbors in the
vicinity of the place where TIE trag-
sedy occurred.
Father THROUGH Ice.
Several Of the party followed the
lake shore in search for a. clew as to
whether the ice had been broken and
in the search Charles Rako and Mr..
Mohler both went through the ice
and fought valiently to reach the
firm crust.
William Utley and two others en-
sdeavored to get them out but Perry
Hulett arrived with rope and the
pair was rescued.
The drenched men changed part of
their clothing at neighboring
house, secured some dry attire and
resumed the search.
The mishap occurred near the home
of William Utley and he was very
active in the search. Rako, Thomas
Swinson, Sheriff Johnson, Deputy
Sheriff George Shea and Mr.. Neusam
were among the participants.
Fatal Hole Found.
The fatal hole in the ice was
quickly found and the water was
deep 1t is said that Chris Larrick
of Nymore located the bodies and
they were brought to the surface.
John Doran offered his car and they
were taken to Ibertson's undertaking
parlor and prepared for burial, the
bodies being encased in robes used on
the 1bertson car.
The caps Of the lads and a sled
near the hole was the clew to the fate
of their owners, the caps being on
the ice and the sled in the water.
Splendid Boys.
One of the boys was the son of
. Thomas Mohler and was fine young
lad. He attended school and would
have been IL years old next March.
Besides his father and mother, he
leaves two-year.old brother.
The other victim was also a fine
lad, the son of Mrs. Nina Gustafson,
a saleslady for A. T. Carlson, who re-
sides on Tenth street, between Bel
trami and Minnesota avenue. She
also has daughter, Miss Marie, also
a sales clerk in the Carlson store.
The lad would have been 13 years
old in February and was a member
of the Juvenile band.
The accident quickly became cur
rent throughout the city and heart
felt sympathy was widespread for
the bereaved families.
Double Funeral Wednesday.
The funeral services of the lads
will be held at the same time, 2
o'clock Wednesday afternoon, at the
Methodist church, and will be in the
nature of double service, For the
son of Mr.. Mohler, Rev. l.. P. War
ford, pastor of the Presbyterian
church will officiate, as the boy was
an attendant of the Sunday school of
that church.
For the son of Mrs. Gustafson, the
Christian Science service will be
used, following brief service at the
home.
The cottages will leave for Green
wood at the same time.
TO TAKE M0T0 RCOURSE.