The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-10-28
PROMINENT BUSINESS MAN
BROWNS IN Eastwood Lake

: It was with considerable of shock
that it was learned early Wednesday
morning that Joseph D. Pluth, local
manager of the Wilderness Outfitters,
was drowned at 400 O'Clock the pre-
viouS afternoon in Back Bay about a
mile from the Eastwood Lodge of the
Wilderness group.
According to r. G. Watts of the
wilderness Outftters, who with his
family is spending few months at the
Lodge from Chicago, Joe Pluth and
Frank Skala took a canoe and went
from the Lodge to Back Bay in the
quest for ducks. They left at about
three o'clock
At about four o'clock, Frank Melo-
vasich, a brother-in-law of MIR. Pluth,
who was in the woods a short distance
from the camp heard shot and cry
for help. He rushed to the camp and
gave the alarm. First aid supplies and
blankets were placed aboard a fast
motor boat and those at the camp
hurried to Back Bay where they found
Frank Skala exhausted on the bank
and the overturned canoe floating about
200 feet from the shore.
Skala stated that both himself and
Pluth fired simultaneously at a flock
of ducks and the discharge of the guns
upset the canoe. He left Pluth cling
ing to the canoe and swan to shore
distance of about 200 feet arriving
IN, nvt
just able to shout for help. In looking
back to where he had left his partner
clinging to the canoe, only the canoe
was in sight.
A search was at once begun for the
body and the same was recovered in
10 feet of water at about HOO o'clock.
The trip to Ely with the remains and
Mr.. Skala was not undertaken until
Wednesday morning owing to the ex-
hausted condition of all concerned.
Mr.. and Mrs. G.. A. Ives of Mime
apolis are at Eastwood Lodge on a visit
with Mrs. Ives brother, Mr. Watts, and
Mrs. Watts and daughter. They also
were pressed into service in the search
for the body and caring for those in the
search.
Joseph D. Pluth was born in this
city on August 6, 1902. His parents
are Mr.. and Mrs Joseph Pluth who
reside on Harvey Street, Mr.. Pluth, ST.,
being one Of the trusted employees of
School District No. II. Joseph, Jr., at
tended grade schools here and gradu-
ated from the Ely High in 1917 with
honors. He was very prominent in ath-
letics while attending school and was
member of the famed Ely basketball
team which toured the state in 1917.
For several years he was employed in
the Office of the Superior National
Forest as secretary. He left the For
estry department to go into the tourist
supply business and with NJ w. Peter
son organized the Wilderness Outftters
This concern supplied the tourist with
everything needed for a trip into the
wilderness including supplies, guides,
tents, bedding, clothing and sports
mems neceSsaries.
This business prospered and after a
few years the Wilderness Fishing
Camp was established on Eastwood
Lake. Later the firm dissolved and
Mr.. Peterson became the owner of the
fishing camp, the name of which was
changed to Petersons Fishing Camp,
and is still successfully operated by Mr..
Peterson. Mr.. Pluth continued the
business of the Wilderness Outfitters
and was joined by R. G. Watts of
Chicago and j. E. Sumpter of Mime
apolis, these three composing the firm
-Four years ago Mr.. Pluth secured
control of piece of land on Eastwood
about eight miles from the portage from
the Longyear estate and began the
construction of a modern resort prop
erty. This piece of land had been left
uncut and is practically the only piece
on the American side of Eastwood upon
which the timber remained. All the %
cabins and the massive 80x100 main
lodge are constructed from timber
taken from the land without disturbing
the fine growth of white pine among
which the cabins and lodge are located.
The Wilderness Outfitters, through
Mr.. Pluth's large acquaintance and adj
vertising ability has been most potent
factor in attracting tourists to this
section of the country which is be-
coming recognized as the only really
wilderness and canoe section in the
United States. The work done by this
concern at the yearly Outdoor Show in
Chicago has been felt by all the numer-
GUS resorts in this vicinity.
He was married in 1926 to Miss Emily
Kayute. Surviving him are his widow
and one daughter, Virginia, his parents,
two brothers, Henry and Albert and
three sisters, Mrs. Frank Melovasich
and Misses Hilda and Evelyn Pluth. All
are residents of this city with the ex-
ception of Albert who is attending st.
Thomas college at st. Cloud.
The funeral will take place from the
Catholic church tomorrow Saturday
morning at 900 o'clock Rev. Father
Mihelcic will perform the last sad rites.
The knights of Columbus viii have
charge Of the funeral MIR. Piuth also
was member of the Moose, Foresters
and Elk lodges and the Ely Commercial
Club and Arrowhead Sportsmens
Association. Burial will be in the
family lot in the Ely cemetery.