Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 58, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 November 1909 — MISS FRONA AUSTIN DROWNED. [ARTICLE]

MISS FRONA AUSTIN DROWNED.

Daughter of Former Wheatfield Resident Drowned In Florida, Where Family Recently Moved. Frank Austin and family, who but a few weeks ago moved from near Wheatfield to Florida, are having plenty of trouble. They arrived at their new home just after the great storm had passed over that part of the coast and left the country bare and desolate. Then, on Sunday morning, October 24th, Frona and Leona arose early and started for the seaside to see the sun rise out of the ocean. They took with them their old dog and started fdr the foot-passenger ferry, which was near two miles from their home. They stepped on the boat and pulled for the other shore, the channel being near 80 feet wide.

The boat was partly full of water, they not taking time to bail it out. The voyage across was made in safety, but as they stepped on the end of the boat next the shore, the boat went down and they were both thrown into the water. When Leona recovered consciousness she could not see her sister, but the faithful dog was swimming around in the water where the boat went down. She made her way aa fast as possible to a club house about a quarter of a mile away and secured help. After some effort the body of the unfortunate young lady was recovered, but too late to restore life. It is thought the dog saved the life of Leona and was making a great effort to find and save Frona. The family is almost wild with grief. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to them in their sorrow.