New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1923-07-23
new BRITAIN MEN
DROWNING Victims
John E. MunSOn, Regular Army
Man, Loses Life at Shore
SWAN SOON AFTER EATING

Czoch, Leaving Wife and Two Chill
dren, browns at Watkins SWIM
ming Pool In Plainville.
Now watch me swim over to that
island" said John E. Munson, aged
SO, army bandsman, formerly of New
Britain, to his nephew at Momauguin
yesterday. These were the last words
Mr. Munson spoke. He started for the
island and was we'll on his way when
his sster-in-law, Mrs. Charles Mum
son, of this city, noticed that some
thing was wrong. Before boat could
reach him he had drowned and, al
though his body was soon recovered,
an hours first aid work failed to re-
suscitate him. 1t is thought that
cramp, caused by swimming too soon
after a meal, was responsible for the
failure of the ordinarily strong swim
rner to make his goal.
Mr.. Munson was on furlough from
his present station at Fort Dupont,
Delaware, where he played In the
band He had been a bandsman IN
the army for about 10 years and only
a day or two ago told of his intention
to make it 80 years in the service. He
was once In a New Britain band. He
was visiting his sister, Mrs. GustaVe
Molander of Commonwealth avenue
and left for Momauguin with his
brother, Charles Munson and Mrs
Munson and their son early yesterday
The party had lunch upon their ar
rival at the beach and shortly after
i; IA hired
bathhouse and changed to bathing
costume. They lounged on the beach
for while but the temptation to en-
ter the water proved too great The
nephew. who could not swim. was Civ
en- a little instruction and Mr. Mum
son then prepared to show him how 1t
was done Mrs. Charles Munson
watched him and saw him suddenly
cease striking out and appear TO lose
his headway in the water. She called
to her son and a boat was Immediately
sent to the rescue.
Body Found Floating Upright
When Munson was reached he was
found to be floating in the water In
nearly upright position, with just his
hair showing. The occupant of the |
boat was unable to lift the body into
his craft and boat and all drifted up
against motorboat. Munson was
lifted from the water and while first
aid werk proceeded, the party made !
for shore. He was taken into boat
house and every effort was made to
bring breath back to his body without |
avail
DR., Charles A. Hobrook. who was
u, ,ioJ1
was persisted in for about an hour
and a half DR.. Holbrook, who Is
medical examiner, said that the death |
was due to drowning. The short In
terval between eating and entering the
water had, it was thought, induced
cramps. DR.. Holbrook praised the
first aid work of the would be rescuers
who tried to revive Munson, He was
of the opinion that the deceased was
beyond aid when brought ashore.
Ericsson and Carlson removed the
body to New Britain yesterday after
noon,
May Have Military Funeral
Funeral arrangements have not
been made pending an answer to
telegram sent to Fort DUPONT asking
for Instructions as to army procedure.
Providing the answer does not con
flict with tentative plans the funeral
will be held tomorrow with the Rev.
G. f. Phil officiating. Eddy-Gloper
post, of the American Legion, will
supply buglers and a firing squad for
a military funeral. Interment will
probably be in Fairview cemetery.
The palbearers will be David Ahl-
gren, Frank Duggan, Felix Kaminski,
Stuart Hellberg, John Preston, Dwight
Skinner and Fred Ellsworth. The
color guards will be Fred Tyler and
ouis Fletcher. The firing squad"will
be composed of Harry Ginsberg, John
Oster, Robert Bertini, Fred Hoffman
Z. E. Hellberg, William Rice, Roy ,
II. B. Pfeiffer and f. X. ,
Burr. All are requested to meet at
the post rooms at l o'clock. c
Drowns in Watkins Pond ,
Peter Czoch, ageo 81, sought lie.
spite from the heat yesterday after
loon with a party of friends in Wat
iins' swimming pool in Plainville.
lone of those in the party could swim,
appears, and when CZoch got in be- 4
-ond his depth he was not rescued
n time to bring him to by artificial
aspiration. The medical examiner,
Jr c. W. Moody, gave the cause of
eath as drowning and permitted the
'ody to be removed to this city. fl
Besides his wife Czoch leaves two T
mail children. Funeral services will II
'e held from the Sacred Heart of 1
esus church Wednesday morning and O
nterment will be in the Sacred Heart q
( Jesus cemetery. G