Democratic Sentinel, Volume 16, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 November 1892 — To Find a Drowned Person. [ARTICLE]

To Find a Drowned Person.

It is said that there is an infallible means of discovering a body, no mate ter how deep the water in which it lies. I will give an instance where it was used: A gay party of young people, ladles and gentlemen, had been rowing on one of New England’s lakes, when by accident the b. at was overturned, and all fell in the water. One of the party, who was an excellent swimmer, was enabled to rescue two of the others, conveying them safely to the distant shore; but in returning to help another, who was still supporting herself upon the bottom of the boat, the swimmer became exhausted and sank himself, to rise no more alive. It was a sad occurrence indeed, and the gay summer guests who had seen the party embark on that bright summer day were changed into a band of mourners. Efforts for the recovery of the bodies were immediately begun, and experienced persons were grappling in ail directions without success. The water was very deep, and after several days of unsuccessful experiment tne hope of recovery was about to be given up, when some one thought of the quicksilver. A loaf of bread was secured, and, some four ounces of quicksilver having been buried in it, was thrown into the water from a boat containing the searching party, The leaf at once floated away, the boat following it, and tn a short time it began to yrhirl about in a circle, and then sank to the bottom. This was the signal for renewed efforts; the grappling irons were thrown out, and after a few efforts they managed to hook the clothing on one of the drowned persons—the gentleman that made such heroic efforts to save the lives of others at the cost of his own. In his pockets were found some keys, money (silver) which had doubtless attracted the quicksilver. Another loaf charged in like manner led to the discovery of the other body, that of the lady whose watch and jewelry attracted to It in the same way. Had this agent been thought of at the time of the accident, and with proper.means of resuscitation, the noble young life might have been saved. This simple method it may be of use to remember, as accidents of the kind are frequent.