Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1922-06-16
Arthur Mize and FOy
Owen Lose Lives in
Outing on Flint River
After Trying Out New Motor Boat, They Plunge
Into Swift Current For Swim And Succumb
When Unable To Battle Waters Member OF
Party Tells of Tragedy.


of Flint river from the Vienna bridge
lie and half north of the bridge in an
Mize, young Americas merchant, and
mechanic employed by Mr. Mize, who
'athing in the river about 5 80 o'clock
graphing hooks and whatever other
availing.
Albany, famous as diver who has
er in his life time, reached Americus
ernoon he was busy assisting in the
are very great because of the water
few hours after the tragedy an effort
the stream at the bridge. A roll of
he'd across the stream, and to it 280
d, but when released the strength Of
ace of the stream.
bathing. We picked up Barlow Bag
ley, Jr., and couple of small girls,
who were at the bridge, Mr.. Chappell
asking them if they didn't want a
ride in the launch up the river, and
started out.
"When we reached the island we
tied the two boats, Mr.. Mize's smaller
boat to the rear of the larger launch.
Mr.. Mize, Mr.. Owen and myself dived
off. / started toward the Dooly side,
where the stream is narrower and
the current calmer, while they went
right out into the main current.
had as close a call as have ever had
in my life, and it was with considera-
BILE difficulty that reached the other
side. ! was about exhausted before |
was safe, and already had picked out
several bushes on below where / in
tended to float for safety if my
strength gave out.
Before / had reached the bank,
heard Mr.. Mize call out, "Come and
get me-" l didn't think he was in
any trouble until I saw the commo-
ton about the boats, because some
bushes interviewed and / lost sight of
him. Mr.. Chappell jumped into Mr..
Mizes boat, apparently intending to
leap into the water to go to his help,
but it overturned. He pulled himself
into his own launch, cut loose the
smaller boat, cranked his engine and
started out to their rescue, but by
that time both Mr.. Mize and Mr..
Owen had disappeared.
Not Lonr In Water.
Neither of US had been in the water
over five minutes when they were
drowned. They had .dived off the
boat and came up about 30 or 35
feet away in midstream. The cur
rent was so swift that neither of
them, although good swimmers, could
make any headway against it. Mr..
Owen attempted to go to Mr.. Mize's
aid, but didn't make it. Mr. Glenn
ents, standing in Mr.. ChappelPs
LAUGH, called to both of them frantic
ally to stop trying to swim against
the current and go to the shore, but
both were in a panic, apparently and
paid no heed to this advice. Mr.. Mize
fought hard, and came up several
times before he finally disappeared.
"Mr. Chappell hurried down to
the bridge again where several fish
ermen were seen and got some hooks
and lines. One of them, Mr.. Perry,
and myself, remained there and
dragged the river where the two men
disappeared while he went to sum-
mon help. At the bridge he found
Prather Henderson and asked him to
call Sheriff Harvey. Mr.. Henderson
hurried to Browns Mill, where he
reached telephone Mr.. Perry and |
continued to drag until about 8
o'clock. While still at work boat
containing Dick Todd, Mr.. Buckalew
and Mr.. Turner, came to me and
told me Mrs. Mott was at the bridge
frantic because she had been told
had been drowned and couldn't get
the truth from any one. They hadn't
gene 80 feet until We heard splash
era they told US they had capsized.
They got to the bank, which is high
bluff at that point. Mr.. Perry and |
rescued Todd and Turner with
our boat and landed them some 200
yards above; then the boat went back
after Mr.. Buckalew, who had better
hold than the others.
Way Through Swamp
II left the searchers there and
made nv wav in the dark throu OH th.a
briars and brush of the river swamp
to the bridge. / was badly scratched,
but the doctor fixed that for me.
got home about IL o'clock, then went
back this morning.
Il don't believe they have much
chance to find the bodies There are
many big rocks and holes at that
place, and ] believe they may De
lodged behind the rocks. If they do
continued on Page Three.l