Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1940-08-08
TWO MEN DROWNED IN RIVER
NEAR Il. ID. WITTLIG HOME

Fred J. Breeze (Freddie), 80. Of
Malta, and Elvin Bettcher, "a, of
Fox Lake, ILL.,, lost their lives by
! drowning Sunday morning about
1870 o'clock, in the Muskingum riv-
er, at the e. d. Wittlig place cold
children's home farm According
to officials who made a careful in
vestigation, Bettcher and compan-
ion, Howard Johnson, 28, both OF
Fox Lake, H., were looking for
work and came to the Wittlig farm
about three days before the drown
ing, and were staying at camp on
the river bank. They left home
about two weeks ago. They worked
for Mr.. Wittlig for about three DAYS.
Saturday evening they came to this
place and while here got acquaint-
ed with Mr.. Breeze, and he accept
ed their invitation to go up to their
camp and spend the remainder of
the night with them
Johnson states that when they
reached the camp Bettcher, fully
| clothed, jumped into the river, and
Breeze also clothed, followed him.
lie thought not much of it at the
time, and supposed they swan to
another camp on down the river.
However later on he became con-
cerned and started toward Malta.
| and met Willis Elder and told him
what had happened. Elder told
Johnson not be worried. that they
were probably at another camp, or
may have returned to Malta, and
they would show up by morning.
| The next forenoon when thew
mi in Jo1
went to Malta and saw Elder, and
they searched places where thew
thought they might be loafine. but
failed to find any trace of them.
About noon Deputy Sheriff Clarence
Adrean was notified, who began an
investigation, and about 1890 turn
ed in an alarm for the fremen, and
they went to the Wittlig place and
began search for the bodies where
Bettcher and Breeze jumped into
the river. In about 20 minutes af
ter Marcus Hanson and Frank
Bragg began diving, they located
the body Of Breeze, and brought
him out; and in about half hour
Bettchers body was located bv
Thos. Kenney with graphing hook.
Breeze's body was found about Is
feet from the shore, where he went
into the river, and Bettcher when
found was about 20 feet down the
river.
Johnson was held for question:
ing by Prosecuting Attorney EN-
NETT Abel, and was later released.
Coroner DR.. Edgar Northrup held
an autopsy at Miller's undertaking
| parlors, later giving as his finding
+, that both deaths were caused by ac-
| cidental drowning. According to Of
| ficials from his home locality, John
! son bears good reputation, and he
was exhonorated from any connec-
[ ton with the drowning.
| Deputy Sheriff Adrean called the
sheriff at Fox Lake, H., and noti-
fled him of the drowning, and Mon
day morning deputy sheriff and
the undertaken from that place,
came after Bettcher's body, leaving
here about 10 o'clock Bettcher
leaves his parents and one brother,
Ralph, of the home
Fred j. Breeze
Fred j. Breeze, jr, son of Fred
Jackson and Kate Pennell Breeze,
was born in McConnelsville. and
spent his entire life in the twin
cities. For a number of years be
had been employed at the Cochran
Bros. Cigar factory. Besides his
parents, he leaves one brother.
James A. Breeze, Of Malta, and four
sisters, Mrs. Elizabeth Rollison of
Poplar ridge; Mrs. Florence Wilson.
Malta, and the Misses Mary and
Winnie Breeze of the home. His
death is the first in the family Fol-
lowing his death the hodv wac toll
EN- to Fishers undertaking parlors.
The deceased possessed a friendly
disposition and had many friends
who are panied at his tragic pass
ing
Funeral services for Mr.. Breeze.
which were private, were held here
Tuesday afternoon at 2 O'Clock, at
Grace Methodist church, with Rev.
l.. S. Wees, officiating. Interment
was in Malta cemetery.
f....,.- -