Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1922-01-09


bridge, giving the Ice shelter, while
the north abutment cuts of much of
the cold winds. has always made it
hazardous after a warm spell, Much
Of the time IL is "open" at that point
and skaters have To walk on the
hank to get around from one side TO
the other. The rain and thraws OF
last week helped In making the ice
dangerous, but to two boys in quest
of thrills that only meant fun,
Supposition alone can guide in a
solution Of the double tragedy, IL
Is presumed that one or the other OF
the Youngsters issued dare to 80
con the bendigo." The dare was ac.
cepted. Then started the stealthy
movement forward, both afoot and
without means of retreat should Ell
Their break through the frail crust
until one crashed into the chilled
waters below. Broken PARTICLES tax
en- from the water showed the ice
there TO be less than an inch in thick
ness.
One Fought to Rescue.
one or the other tried 10 save his
companion by trying to swim win
him to where the ice would support
them That was made certain when
the bodies. with arms and legs inter
twined, were brought from the bot
tom. almost below the spot where
they we're seen to disappear by Peder'
sen and Winterling. Which was the
hero viii ever remain unknown to
console the grief enthralled parents
and their friends. The truth in know
ing their boy gave his life to save
his fellow will bring the fathers ana
mothers comfort after the first shock
OF the heavy blow has been erased
by the flight of time.
Both Attended Columbus School.
The dual tragedy has left in its
wake a saddened student body at Co
Iumhus school, where beth Harold and
Louis attended classes. Harold, a
member of the fourth grade, was IN
Miss Cullens room. Louis was IN
the second grade in Miss Downs
room. Both youngsters were looked
upon by their teachers and class
mates as bright and particularly low
able.
Surviving Relatives.
Besides his father and mother Mr.
and Mrs. Andrew Anderson. who re-
side in what is known as the O'Meila
home located 100 yards from the
place where he met death Harold
leaves seven sisters and brothers
Violet, Rose. Pansy. Blossom, Pearl,
Ruby and Andrew-whose ages range
from fourteen to two
Louis Tnman leaves his father and
mother, Mr. and Mrs. Willard lnman,
who occupy one of the new houses
erected a few years ago by the Chi
cago Retort & Fire Brick company
Just east of the bridge. and two little
brother-Edward and Raymond.
Verdict Assigned to Accident.
At 10 o'clock this morning Coroner
Donoghue impaneled a jury to hear
evidence of the drowning The jurors
Chief of Police Ben Ford. Captain
James Fox, Commissioner Dana Palm
or, Timothy Madigan, William Bailey
and Fred Erdman, returned YER
dict of death due to accidental
drowning
Only relatives of the two boys
testified at the inquest. Mr.. Inman
said he and the son had gone to the
Anderson house and after arriving
there he sent the boy back home on
an errand That was the last he saw
of him alive. Twenty minutes later
word of the drowning was brought
him.
au,eist Drowned in Illinois River.
Peru, Jan. 9.--(SpeciaU One man
went to his death in the ice-coated
waters of the Illinois river and three
companions had what is described as
miraculous escapes with their lives
When an Oldsmobile touring car
Plunged from the north approach OF
the Spring Valley bridge at $50 Sun
day morning.
The man who went to his death
was Lee Brown, aged q, Granville
garage mechanic and driver of the i'll.
fated car. His companions were
James Z. Ryan. Granville, Lloyd Dein-
niger, Florid, Alec J. Haenchek Gran
yi|le
Browns body was taken from the
water a short time after the tragedy
1t is thought that the car struck a
submerged piling when it crashed
from the approach and that Browns
covered at the scene of the accident
by hastily organized searching party
which included Billy Goats" Doig
Ben keegan and Emil Bellard.
Enroute to Granville.
The party was enroute to Granville
from Spring Valley, when the ira.
gedy occurred. 1t is said that they
drove to Spring Valley from Mark
late Saturday night and after spend
ing several hours in the valley"
started on their return to the south
side town
Crossing the Rock Island tracks, the
Inflated car proceeded on south and
it was just as it reached the north
approach to the long span that it left
the road, plunged through a railing
on the east side Of the road and went
into the water ten feet below. It is
said that the water is from eight to
nine feet deep at this point.
Bellard is said TO have been the
first to hear the screams Of the sur
vivors as they came to the surface Of
the icy water He was joined by
Keekan and Doig as they hurried to.
the bridge and met members of the
party who were then hurrying toward
town from the scene.
Reported Women In Car.
r.