South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-11-13
BODY OF DROWNING
VICTIM Is FOUND
AFTER LONG SEARCH
Body of Driver of Wrecked
Auto Found in River by
South Bend Police.

Inc BODY or Earl Nichols, 122 W.
Lawrence St. who was drowned in
the st. Joseph river at the County
line bridge late Saturday night when
his car and its three occupants
plunged over the embankment, was
found by Sergt. Olmstead and Of
flcer Poure Of the South Bend po-
lice department. Sunday morning
at S:I5 o'clock. Jack Syle and Otto
Gerer. EOS W. Grove St, were the
other occupants Of the car
The body was found by Officers
Poure and Olmstead in the South
Bend police departments new mot
orboat with a dragnet, after they
and a number of officials from the
local police department had spent
a night of fruitless search. Nichols
body, which was badly bruised,
was picked up by the dragnet about
20 feet from the bank. at a depth
Of approximately 80 feet. This
place was described by Syle as the
last place he had seen Nichols, just
before he had disappeared under
the water the last time. A watch,
found on the body was filled with
water was stopped. and marked the
time OF the accident at 11:25
o'clock.
Syle, who was not injured in the
accident, stated that he and Gerer,
had been picked up by Nichols up
the road. and that for quite a dis
lance, Nichols had driven at a very
moderate rate of speed. when hel
suddenly opened the throttle throw
ing the Ford coupe forward at in
creasing momentum.
Failed to See Curve
AS the car approached the curve
the machine began TO lurch. Mich
OILS failed 10 see the curve, the ma
chine hurtled down the embank- !
ment into the river. Syle lost con- !
to awaken on the bank, |
hearing the calls of distress from |
Gerer. who was in the water. Part
of the top and windshield were
found in the sand at the side of
the road and a guy pole said to have
been IN the path of the machine
was broken off, about eight feet |
above the ground.
Syle said he waded to Gerer who !
stood with the black waters swirl |
ing around his neck. in a semicon- |
scious condition, and after pulling !
him to the bank, returned for I
Nichols, whom be had seen farther
out. He said he waded to the place /
where he last saw Nichols, intend /
ing to catch hold of his clothing !
when he again came to the surface, |
but that Nichols did not appear /
again.
Styles and Gerer climbed the en-
bankment from the scene OF the
tragedy and were brought to Mish- /
awake. where they were attended 1
at the st. Joseph hospital. by DR.. 1
Van RE Gerer was found to be
suffering from a number Of bad /.
bruises and nausea. but Styles SEEM
ed little the worse for the accident /
and left the hospital shortly after
ward
The car was found inverted on
the river bank against the end
abuttment Of the bridge. in about
six inches of water, by the police,
who arrived about midnight. and i'm
mediately set about searching in
the water for Nichols body. The
South Bend police. when notified,
sent their motor boat. in charge OF
and Poure, and assisted
by Chief Of Police Harry W. Bar
rows and several members % the
NIiehawaka force. began the search.
The victim was born In Ohio Dec.
%. 1899. but with his parents. re-
moved shortly afterward to Misha-
waka In April. 1919. he was mar
ried to Miss Eulah GOppert, also OF
this city. He has been an employe
of the Mishawaka Wooden Co. for
some time.
Besides his wife. he leaves his
parents. Mr.. and Mrs. Loren Mich