South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-03-26
HEROIC EFFORTS OF HARPER GO
FOR NAUGHT AS OCCUPANTS OF
ILL-FATED BOAT SINK INSTANTLY
Scout Executive Taylor Last to Co Down
After Valiant Attempt to Save 9-Year-
Old Son; Believe Overcrowding Of
Steel Boat Cause of Catastrophe.


local leader 10 Taylor his little Jimmie his assistant Judson
Taylor Scoutmaster Vern c. Murphy and Scouts Clinton
Mathews Philip NeizeI Kenneth Borough and William Kingsley
drowned Saturday afternoon in Magician lake
breaking the "A foot steel boat equip
ped with every safety device little
second 1t sank almost nstantaneousy and the icy
dashed into unusual roughness by brisk wind the and boys
fought for few minutes for their lives, and then sank
Lad of II is Lone Witness
Only one person saw the tragedy W9yne Harper boy Of J.
heavy odds and when he reached the fatal spot ay
boat half filed with and imminent danger of sinking the
last of the victims had gone beneath the surface
10 Taylor the last of the eight and his struggle
the life of his little boy epic of bravery
For 20 minutes ne fought against the cold and the He
Harper with his frai boat could arrive
Taylor Fight to Save Son.
Turning look he frantcaly pressed against the
Harper Taylor and the boy always lifted above his head He
his his eyes back for and
turning again Taylor and the boy had gone He only
blank and greedy they rolled above the
where before father had been fighting his
All that met his pair Of floating and
little jacket the evidence of the fight which and boys
had made themselves they plunged into the
Out on Hemiok island four other bows hed as they worked
the placing of floor for their shelter
hours of the fact that their comrades OF the day had
Back the shore telephones busy sumoning aid and
bringing this city which shocked with the immensely of the
disaster.
tried his had hands danger
but he had been Just a too late.
Island Hidden From View.
Hemloc island lies about half mile the shores Magic
ian lake Between and the lane IS another bit OF island shutting
off the view and making the trip it of orcing about
Ratlesnake.
Yesterday the lake was rough unusually So and heavier waves
were running then had been experienced other trips the
island where the leaders planned establish Scout camp for
vacation week.
The officers and Scouts enthusiastic tbas camp
They wanted to build themselves and detail obtained
for Saturday take the lake the portable house loaned by the
school authorities and also the boat which the pride of
the organization.
The boat IA length made with alright COM
Paments to act buoys the of its being cPed It
equipped with Johnson heavy but high powered
The boat conveyed the lake truck
and Worden Taylor his little boy and others
his and during the morning three made between the
shore and the island the lumber for the flooring
Little Son Not Denied Ride.
Then arrived the party which driven By W Harper
of the Sudebaker organization loaned purpose
With him the SIX who the companions of Taylor and his
little the fatal trip
Planning them their arrival Taylor broueh Swanson
and Worden back to shore They the truck also
loaned by Roy Hnke His little boy wanted to ride and
denied.
The story Of what happened at the shore is told by Mr. Harper
his little boy and Swanson and WOden The party
to get back It here work TO do at the island The
boat had worked ike charm and there seemed be danger
thought heavy for the others urged Harper
take his little boy and 90 along in order that they might help in
the fun and be left alone
Caution rough he experienced
week before the diaPdated boat which the landing
caused Harper to refuse.
Harper's Son Witnesses Tragedy.
The Worden and Swanson boys had trouble with their engine
The truck hundred yards Harper went TO
help them He started engine waved them away when
his Wayne rushed francay his side and told him
thing had happened a the lake.
Rushing back he the waters dotted with black
struggling boys and me The boat had already sunk
He the old boat and jumped 1t after he had sug-
ged and the He told boy
the nearest house and help, and then bent his
Last night Wayne Harper still had the OF the
bis eyes he tried tell what happened He still dazed by
the shock Of it ALL
I the boat and watched it 1t did turn 1t JUS went