The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1920-03-26
TWO YOUNG MEN LOSE LIVES
WHEN CANOE IS CAPS|zED

Frank Fisher in a big skiff, and
others started out to give assistance.
The Miller launch was about the
only boat able to weather the storm
One boat was driven as far south as
Alexandria and had TO be beached
there. 1t was half full of water al
the time, and Ernest Off, brother OF
one of the drowned men, had to bale
the craft in order to help keep ii
afloat, The men came up from Alex
andria on the train.
Think They are Alive.
During the evening hopes were
raised that the men were safe on an
island Dirk LaFeber reported to the
police that someone could be seen on
the island. An attempt was made 70
hours of battle with the wind and
waves, it was accomplished and a
search made of the islands about one
O'Clock this morning. While the
search was not a complete one, Ian.
terms were used, and shot guns were
discharged, but there was no response
the boys been thrown on the island
luSy WOuiu nave SctClcly
from exposure and. might have been
too weak to respond.
Reports were received during the
morning from people who claimed 10
have seen the men in trees on the
island, or who thought they saw them
moving about. Field glasses directed
on the islands failed to show any
thing that looked like the missing
boys. Rivermen familiar with the
yagaries of the stream held that it
would be impossible for the, men to
have lived in the strong current
which was running around the wing
dam where the boat was seen to go
over. They were working to pick
up any possible clue, and worked all
night in the effort to locate the men,
dead or alive, but they all gave the
same answer this morning They ali
deemed the task hopeless one, and
gave the boys up.
River Unusually Rough.
While the river was rough during
practically all of yesterday afternoon
it became toughest between five and
six o'clock when gale began to
blow from the southwest. Whitecaps
were whipped into foam topped noun
tains of water that rolled and hit
with the force of sledge hammer
1t was one of the highest seas that
has run on the river, old timers
said, and it was impossible to get
across with boats without filling
them with water and keeping balers
busy keeping the craft floating.
The wind was still strong this
morning and the river was rough and
full of white caps. This condition
interfered with the work of the
searchers as it did last night and it
was almost impossible to get far
across the heaving surface, in any
thing but the heaviest of boats. How
a frail canoe could live in such a sea
was mystery
~. Boys are Real Pals.
The two boys who were drowned
were real pals, interested in the same
sports and pleasures and both veter-
ans Of the world war. Neither OF
them yet twenty-five years old, both
were Royal Arch Masons and greatly
interested in that fraternal order.
They were both members of the
United Commercial Travellers also,
and prominent in the affairs Of
that organization less than a week
ago at the time of the big booster
meeting held in this city.
Perhaps there are no two more
popular boys among the younger men
in keokuk than these two. The news
Of the disaster spreading quickly
asst night, their friends offered every
service possible to the families and
,oday the most intimate of the mems
associates are uniting all of their
Efforts in. the search for the bodies.
And naturally all Of their friends are
now the last time they
saw or talked with the boys-when
me of them just the night before had
given orders to friend
hat he would "eat Sunday dinner
With him next Sunday" and members
If the Off family said this morning
hat Charlie remarked at noon yes
erday that he was going to have
ome hunting trip"
The mothers Of both boys are pros
rated with grief, but so far have re-
used to believe that the boys are
cad and are clinging to the faint |
ope that perhaps they ARE on the
sland." ::
Charles Off is "a.
Charles Off was born in KeoEuk
lay "a, 1895, and has spent all Of
is life here with the exception Of !
he six months service in the navy.
lie is the son of Nina Off and the
,te Charles Off. who established the
harles Off bakery years ago and
-hich has been conducted under the
anne of the estate since his death.
lis father was former mayor Of
,eokuk Young Charles was inter
sted in this concern and for some
me has been driving the truck for
lie firm. The family residence is
% A street
Charles Off attended the public
chools of Keokuk through the gram.
lar grade and then became con.
ected with the bakery. During the
In ~ no