Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 159, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1913 — PAPER TELLS STORY OF YOUTH’S DROWNING [ARTICLE]

PAPER TELLS STORY OF YOUTH’S DROWNING

Carl Lehman Lost Life While Bathing in Monon Ditch Southeast of Francesville. Francesville Tribune. Carl Lehman lost his life in the Monon ditch, Sunday afternoon, at about 1 o’clock, where he nad gone with a party of bathers for a few hours’ pleasure. The drowning occurred at a point 2% miles southeast of Francesville. In the party which witnessed the fatal tragedy were his brothers, Louis and George, Harry J. Myers, Tom Fitzpatrick, Charles Overman, Bert Swing, Philip Ahlers, Leo Anderson, Hal Myers, Edward Rose and John Hellman. The boys arrived at the ditch at 1:05 and began making arrangements to enter the water. Oarl was the first one ready remarked to the crowd: “I can’t swim, but here I go,” and then plunged into the stream. He struck on his stomach and appeared to be stunned for a few seeonds, ( then made an effort to swim at which he was Inexperienced. He evidently realized his position very quickly as he battled to stay up for he called for help when going down the first time and again as he came up. By that' time Hal Myers, who is a very clever little swipnner, was at. his side and managed to pull him toward the shore some six feet, but Carl was making such a desperate struggle that he had to leave him on account W failing strength. As he went down the last time he x cauteht Hal by the ankle and pulled him-under twice. However, Hal released the deadly grip and Tom Fitzpatrick came to his rescue. He probably saved a double drowning, as each were very much exhausted when they reached the bank. For a while the crowd was almost paralyzed and didn’t know what to do, because very few pf them were good swimmers or divers, but finally Louis Lehman run their automobile up to Ed Mayhugh’s place, where he phoned to town tor assistance. Mr. Mayhugh soon had his boat on the, scene from which several men from town made an effort to recover the body, which was in ten feet of water. Henry Swing located the body and his brother, Joe, brought it to the surface. Every effort was made to resuscitate but inasmuch as the body was in the water fiftythree minutes, life was extinct, and Undertaker Burson, who had gone out with the party of rescuers, took charge of the remains. Carl Lehman was the third son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Lehman, of this place. He was born in Chenoa, 111.-,- July 21st, 1893, and was 19 years, 11 months and 8 days of age. He was an exemplary young man who was held in the highest esteem by all who knew him. The funeral was conducted from the Methodist church Tuesday afternoon at 2 o’clock, Rev. S. C. Rogers officfating. Burial was made in the cemetery east of town.

Mrs. G. H. Ricketts and children, of Watseka, 111., are visiting Mrs. F. B. Ham. Mr. and Mrs. Ray Yeoman and baby, of Valparaiso, are here to spend a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A. K. Yeoman and other relatives. Robert Waterbury and wife, of Lebanon, Ind., were visitors over the Fourth of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Morlan. Robert lived here prior to 1882, and many will remember his father,, who worked as a tailor for some time and will also remember Bob, who was terribly crippled with the rheumatism for a long time. He is now engaged in the dry cleaning business at Lebanon. Manager Don Beam and Director Otto Braun, of the band, went to Chicago this Saturday morning to make settlement with the booking agent and to protest the payment of any more than half the money that was to have been paid for the attractions. Prof. Braun asks The Republican to state that any money saved in this manner will be prorated to the merchants who contributed to the celebration. Hazel Carr and Ves Richards accompanied Charenee Smith back from Wanatah by auto Thursday and will remain at home until Sunday. The stone road Job at Wanatah will be completed within a few days and the force will then be transferred to Stillwell, 10 miles southeast of LaPorte, where Thompson & Smith have an 18-mile contract. They will be all of this year and next building the road, in all probability.