Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1932-01-21
ALVA COOPER OF BECKETT
BROWNS IN MUSKINGUM RIVER

Mr. Alva Newton Cooper, aged
about Al years, of near Beckett,
was drowned in the Muskingum riv-
er Friday at about 11:45 o'clock.
He had crossed the river in boat
that is used regularly by the mail
carrier, and after making some pur-
chases at the general store at Beck
EFT, started home. Just how the ac
cident occurred will perhaps never
be known, but in some manner he
fell from the boat into the water If
he called for help, it was not heard,
since the persons about the store
were attracted by the presence OF
the B. e o. train which was stop
ping at the Beckett station. After
the train departed, persons at Beck
EFT heard some one call from the
other side that Cooper was in the
water. Efforts were made to reach
the man who was struggling in the
water, but in vain and he sank
from view. The deceased was a
good swimmer However, he was
heavily dressed and wore gum
boots, which probably accounted for
the fact that he was unable to
swim, or to keep his head above
water long enough for help to reach
him. News of his drowning spread
instantly and soon many were pres
ent including firemen from this
place, and from Beverly, and in less
h ic hoI
ed The pulmotor of the local fire
department was used, but proved OF
no avail. The body was removed
to the Maxwell & Mindling NOR
tuary at Beverly and prepared for
burial.
Funeral services were held Sun
day afternoon at the Beverly Meth
odist Episcopal church, and it is
said more people were in attend
ance than ever before at a funeral
held at that place. The pastor, Rev
Firestone was in charge. Inter
ment was made in Beverly ceme-
terry The pail bearers were the
five brothers of the deceased, and
his wife's brother, Oscar Graham
ef Marietta.
Alva Newton Cooper, son of Mr.
and Mrs. j. C. Cooper, was born
May 16, 1885, at Bearsville, w
Va. In the year 1909 he moved with
his parents to Morgan county, and
with the exception of two or three
years, in Washington county, the
of his life was spent in
this county. He was graduate of
the Waterford high school, For a
time he was employed with the B.
e o. railroad, and later took up
farming. He purchased what is
known as the Ed Olney farm, which
is located on the river hill, across
from the Beckett station. His wife
before marriage was Miss Edna
Graham of Waterford. She sur
wives. and two sons, Alva Graham,
aged about II, and Wilbur Glenn.
IL. He is also survived by his par
ents who reside on the north river
road, and the following brothers
Martin Reece Cooper of Washing
ton, D. c.; Gilbert Floyd, Of Cleve-
land; Arley Wilbur of Pittsburgh;
Russell Blaine of Columbus, Pa;
and Clarence Raymond, of Ere |
mont. One brother Orrnan Jesse |!
died in infancy His brother, A. w. |
Cooper, better known as Lefty |
Cooper, is the well known major |
league baseball pitcher of a few |
years ago. The deceased was one |
Of the county's best, and most |!
highly respected citizens, and his |
tragic passing brings sorrow to a |
wide circle of friends and acquaint-
ances, who extend sympathy to the |
grief stricken family.
Besides the brothers, and their |
families in part, in attendance at |
he funeral were Mr.. and Mrs. VIM. |
Cooper and two sons from Parkers- !
burg, w. Va; Wilbur Grimm and |
Clarence Fellty of Middlebourne. |
W. Va, also many school mates and |
aonI1a intancac from dicfanna