The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1936-06-04
Young Girl
Drowned In
Sank Lake
Fell From Speed Boat Thurs
day Afternoon Some
time After A P. M.
WAS " YEARS OF ACE
Funeral Services Held At St.
Paups Church Monday
Morning

shocked and a pail Of sorrow how
cred about the city Thursday even
ing when the sad news Of the
drowning of Alma Marie Smith, IT.
year-old daughter of Mrs. A. G.
Smith, spread about like wild-fire.
Her lifeless form was reclaimed
from the waters of Sank Lake
shortly after five o'clock in the af-
ternoon.
The accident occurred sometime
between 10 and 25 minutes after
four o'clock, approximately $50
feet from the shore at the bathing
beach, at the City Park. Miss
Smith was riding in a speed boa.
with Adelbert (Bud) Carpenter
when in turning they struck the
boats own waves and she was cat
apulted into the lake.
In explanation of the accident,
Bud Carpenter stated that he had
taken the girl on a short excursion
up the lake and down toward the
bridge. Harry Hamilton, who also
had a speed boat on the lake, in
formed him that he had broken his
starter rope, and that he would like
to have the rope to Buds boat. At
this time Bud decided to take the
girl to shore and at the same time
give the rope to Harry. In turning,
a wave made by the motor, hit the
boat sidewise and tilted the craft.
Miss Smith, who was sitting in the
front seat, with her hands in her
lap, lost her balance and fell out.
She could not swim, and Bud stop
ped the motor and dove in after
her. He had hold of her twice and
both times when they went down
lost her. Bud stated that her cloth
es, and his also, had become heavy
with water, and that it was diff
cult to hold her. He shouted for
help, but before aid came she had
gone down. Several of the young
swimmers at the beach went out
as soon as they realized what had
happened, and two Of them aided
Bud, who was in exhausted condi-
ton, to his boat.
Several of the young boys at the
lake COMMENCED to dive for the body
and as quickly as possible one OF
the boys came up town for help,
and later an alarm was sounded.
Boats were brought to the scene
of the tragedy, and the search was
continued for some length OF time
before the body was found. Ray
mond Berggreen, who was swim
ming about and diving, finally
shouted that he had found her, and
the body was brought to shore and
placed in the park, where artificial
resuscitation was administered UNI
til it was found there was no hope.
Alma Marie Smith was born in
Parkers Prairie on February ~,
1919, and was seventeen years,
three months and one day old when
her young life was taken by the
waters. She remained in Parkers
Prairie until November 1, 1894.
when she came to Sank Centre
with her parents.
Besides the Borrowing mother,
she is survived by two brothers and
two sisters, as follows: Charles.
James, Helen and Mary Ann. Her
father passed away October rs,
1885.
Alma was a Junior in the Sank
Centre High School and was De-
loved and honored by the entire
student body. Her death was SAD
shock to the members of her class,
who will miss her greatly in school
activities in the future.
The last sad rites, which were
held Monday morning at $3.50 at St.
Paul's Church in this city, were
largely attended. The Requiem
Mass was read by Msgr. Plachta.
Interment was made in the family
lot beside the grave of her father
in the cemetery at Parkers Prairie.
The active pallbearers, selected
from among her schoolmates were:
Albert Peglow, David Dubois,
James Forsberg, Thomas Fleming,
1continued on Page 4. Col. 81