The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1924-07-03
FATAL ACCIDENT AT
BIG BIRCH MONDAY
FRED PAULLY OF WALLA WAL.
LA, WASH, BROWNS IN THE
SIGHT OF FRIENDS
HE WAS A POOR SWIMMER
SEARCHERS HAD NOT LOCAT
ED BODY LATE WEDNESDAY
AFTERNOON

A most distressing accident oc-
Cured at Pleasant Beach, Big Birch
Lake, about four miles southeast of
Grey Eagle Monday evening shortly
before 500 o'clock when Fred Paul
ly, "a years of age, residing at Wal
la Walla, WASH, lost his life by
drowning.
Accompanied by his friend, Roy
Turner, young Paully arrived at the
lake Sunday evening for a visit at
the home of young Turner's parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Turner of Thief
River Falls, formerly of Little Falls,
MINI.
The Herald editor drove out to the
scene of the accident Wednesday af-
ternoon and ascertained that young
Paully in company with Roy Turner
and another young man, prepared to
go in bathing. Paully was the first
to get into his bathing suit, and
rushed out and jumped into boat
and when about 60 feet from shore,
dove out of the boat. At this point
the depth of the lake is from 40 to
60 feet deep. Young Turner know
ing that Paully was poor swimmer
advised him to wait for the rest of
them, but he told his friends that he
would jump out of the boat and then
hold on to it until his companions
Joined him. There was quite a strong
wind at the time and the boat was
carried away from him toward the
center of the lake. Young Turner
seeing Paully's predicament, fastened
to the rescue of his friend, but when
he was about fifteen feet from him he
went down for the last time.
A scar Inn. party worked all night
Monday, all day Tuesday and Tuesday
night, and up to Wednesday noon.
Besides the lake jewellers, dozen
fremen from the Little Falls Fire
Department came to the lake with
graphing hooks and other material
and worked diligently in an effort to
recover the body without success.
Indian John Of Saltwater who is IA
NOUS for his success in recovering
; lost bodies in depths of water, was
sent for but had not arrived up to
3 800 o'clock Wednesday afternoon.
The unfortunate young men was
a stranger to the campers at Birch
Lake as it was his first visit, and his
friend and companion, Roy Turner,
is, distracted because of the tragedy
as it was very largely through his
influence and entreaties that the
young man accompanied him from
Washington to spend his summer va
cation in Minnesota. The deceased
is an only child, the Herald under
stands, the son OLA widowed mother
residing at Walla Walla.
The place where the drowning took
place, for about 40 or so feet off
shore is said to be very desirable
bathing beach-when it takes sud
den drop. Those familiar with the
beach realize thisAsand never venture
out that far unless they are hardy
swimmers.
R. F. Wilke, who has spent about
25 years on the shores of Birch Lake
stated to the Herald editor that the
drowning of young Paully was the
only drowning taking place in Big or
Middle Birch lake for many years.
Later - Information received by
the Herald at 200 o'clock today,
Thursday states that the body has
not yet been recovered. Indian John
was unable to reach Birch Lake be-
cause of being detained on SINH
lar mission in Wisconsin. He is ex-
pected to arrive in Little Falls at
200 o'clock this Thursday afternoon.