The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1929-08-22
Man DROWNED AT
BIG BIRCH SUNDAY
Hardy Rausch, 35, Melrose,
Loses Life When Motor
Boat Capsizes
COMPANION IS RESCUED
Game Wardens Recover Body
Tuesday AfternOOn-Fun-
eral This Thursday

A rough lake, a speedboat, short
turn travelling at high rate of
speed, a tip-over, and a man and
girl hurled into Big Birch Lake
600 feet from shore Sunday after
noon.
Hardy Raush, Melrose, IS years
old, was drowned, and his niece, r.
year-old Florence Miller, of st.
Cloud, was miraculously rescued.
Sunset Beach, Big Birch Lake,
owned by DR.. Meyer and Mr.. Bor-
gerding, Melrose, is a very popular
gathering place for the residents of
Melrose. The bathing is wonder
full and safe for long way into
the lake.
Mr.. Rausch could not swim, and
he was somewhat afraid of water.
For safety sake he had acquired a
life-saving vest which he wore
when operating his speed motor
boat
For the first and only time since
he owned the life-saving vest Mr..
Rauscn did not wear it Sunday af-
ternoon.
It is understood ne was practic-
ing will; the boat preparatory to
entering a motorboat race to be
held at Big Birch. He had ample
speed on the straight away but he
was net quite satisfied with his
turns and was attempting to per-
teet a shorter turn Sunday after
ne'tn when he capsized.
Many people on shore were
watching his maneouvers with in
terest and were Mortified to see the
occupants hurled into the water
as the turn was about half COM
pleted.
Miss Miller was thrown into the
lake on the side of the boat nearest
the shore. She could swim a little
and with keen presence of mind
treaded water for a time until
she became overcome with fright
and fatigue and sank into the wat
er. Friends hurrying to the res
cue caught her by the hair as she
was going down the third time and
rescued her.
Mr.. Rausch fell into the lake face
downward. He came up twice but
sank to stay before assistance could
reach him.
The spot where he went down
was carefully marked and rescue
work started. The lake was very
rough and no Roadway was made
Sunday evening, Monday day and
night, and Tuesday forenoon res
cue work was frantically carried
on.
Expert divers were sent for but
they worked without success.
About 1890 p. M, Tuesday Chief
Game Warden J. M. Totten, Little
Falls, Chief Game Warden J. O.
Waters, Alexandria and Game
Warden G. c. Waters, Long Prai-
RE, again commenced work, as
the lake had become fairly calm
They patrolled diligently and eXper-
ly for an hour and half and at
2.02 the body was brought to the
surface. It was lowed close to the
shore where it was kept under wat
er for about an hour and a half
until the Todd county coroner
could arrive from Long Prairie. A
cursory examination was made and
verdict reached after his arrival
The body was then covered, put in
the basket, brought to shore and
placed in the hearse for removal
to Melrose.
The theoery of keeping the body
under water was to have it in good
condition when the coroner arrived
On being exposed to the air il
would Immediately turn black.
Game Warden Totten stated that
although Mr.. Rausch had been in
the water nearly 48 hours he was
in fine state of preservation.
He went down in SO feet of wat.
err. Birch Lake is spring fed and
undoubtedly the water at the bot.
hom of the lake is icy cold.
News of the tragedy spread like
wild fire and hundreds of people
crowded the beech during the late
watches of the night and daylight
hours. The Herald editor arrived
at the beach very shortly after the
body had been rescued. At that
time there were fully 100 automo.
biles and 500 people Interestingly
watching every development,
The deceased was about 35 years
of age and had lived his entire life
in Melrose. For the past IL years
he had been employed by the Maus
Bros. Motor Co., Of that city. Be.
sides his heart broken wife, his
aged mother and one sister, Mary
are the immediate family.
The last sad rites were held al
the Melrose Catholic church this
Thursday morning at 900 o'clock
The services were attended by
hundreds, attesting the popularity
of the deceased.