The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-07-21
ALMOST FATAL
WATER PLUNGE
CHARLES L. DECKER WAS
BADLY INJURED
HEAD STRUCK BOTTOM
Removed From Lake Wash
ington In Partially Para
lyzed Condition

One unfortunate accident marred
the pleasure Of the Mapkato Eagles
picnic at Lake Washington yester-
day, when Charles L. Decker, while
diving from a high platform dislo-
Gated one of the ceryical or neck
vertebra. This accident happened
about IL A. NJ. while the merry
throng was at the height of its fes-
tiyities. Most of the picnickers
were enjoying the thrills of the
chutes and in that manner sliding
into the water of the lake. Charles
L. Decker, who is an expert swim
mer had diVed twice from the plat
form at the head Of the chute and
received no injury. The third dive,
however, almost proved fatal. 1t is
thought that his head struck the
bottom of the lake in about four
feet of water. The young man was
seen to rise in an apparently pain
full manner. His body was twisted
and it was difficult for him to han
die himself. Seeing that something
was wrong his friends rushed to his
aid. He was gotten to the shore,
but was powerless TO use his limbs,
but managed TO say that his neck
hurt him severely.
Taken To Gerlaeh Cottage
C. A. Westemayer, worthy presi-
dent of the Mankato Eagles lodge,
who happened TO be present, took
the situation in hand, and hurriedly
summoned Mrs. Oliver Farrell, who
was one of the party, and for sew
eral years was a professional nurse.
She advised taking. the young man
to the John G. Gerlich cottage,
where Mr.. Geriich kindly turned
over the entire building to the care
of the young man. Worthy PreSi-
dent Westemayer summoned DR.. w.
A. Beach from this city. When he
arrived at the scene of the accident,
he determined that Mr.. Decker had
suffered an injury to the spine and
decided TO get him to the hospital
as soon as possible. Landkamer
Brothers ambulance was called and
about two o'clock Mr.. Decker was
removed to st. Joseph's hospital,
where this morning, he was report
ed 10 be in a very serious condition,
but during the night, regained par
tial use of his limbs.
When first taken from the water.
Mr.. Decker's finger nails turned
blue and for a time it was feared
that he was dying. DR.. Beach stat
ed to The Free Press this morning
that he has hopes of Mr.. Decker's
complete recovery. Mr.. Decker is
a timer in the employ of thinner
man & Bangerter.
Picnic Was Success
Aside from the accident to Mr..
Decker, the picnic was a grand sue
cess in every way. The day was
clear. the fishing was good, and the
tables were loaded down with an
abundance of good things TO eat.
Over forty gallons of ice cream was
served during the day to the crowd.
True brotherly love was exercised
yesterday by the Eagles who own
cars, in that they saw to 1t that
their less lucky brothers and sis
tiers. who own no cars, were trans
ported to and from the lake free OF
charge.
Worthy President, Westemayer is
authority for the statement that the
baseball game between Mankato
and Spring Island Eagles yesterday
at Lake Washington stands in a
class all by itself The score
mounted to such a height that the
.scorekeeper wore out his pencil,
and when darkness came on John
Sanger, who played centerield for
Mankato, was still out in the high
weeds looking up a lost ball. The
attendance at the picnic was very
large