Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 20, Number 82, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 June 1899 — A Terrible Accident. [ARTICLE]

A Terrible Accident.

A Young Man Ami a Boy Drowned In Hanging Grove Township. 1 ' > '-- A most lamentable accident occurred in Hanging Grove township last Saturday afternoon, resulting in the death, by drowning of a young man of 21 and a boy of 14. Harry Lee, the young man,,and Elmer Cook the boy, sons respectively of Henry Lee and Washington Cook, two us the townships best known citizens, and near neighbors, went to swim in what is known as the Parker pool. The pool is about a half acre in extent, and has one small place where the water is probably 6 feet deep. It is fed by springs, and deeper part of the water is said to be very cold. Just how the accident occured no due knows. A seven or eight year old brother of the Cook boy was with them; and was the only witness, and was the one who took the terrible news to the parents. The little fellow was too frightened to give any connected account of the diowning. It is* probable however, that one of the boys got to strangling or was seized with cramps, in the deep water, and the other went to his rescue, and both were drowned together. Neither boy could swim at all. The bodies were taken out about •7 a half hour later, and were 4 or 5 feet apart, when found, but they might have easily gotten that far apart in their struggles after consciousness left them. Mr. Cook, father of the younger boy, was on bis way to Rensselaer when the accident occured. A telephone message was sent him from MoCoysburg, and was communicated to him after his arrival here. The double funeral was held Sunday afternoon, in a grove between the two houses. It was conducted by C. Weston, of Francesville and H. M. Middleton and N. H. Sheppard, of Rensselaer. It was no doubt tar the largest funeral ever held in the township. Interment was made in Osborne cemetery. The following brief obituary sketches were read at the funeral: Harry Lee, born in Vermillion County, Ills., the 12th of Feburary 1878 was the youngest son of Henry and Catharine Lee. He was the only son at home. His brothers Walter and Charles being married. He was very devoted to parents and sisters at home and took pleasure in providing for their comfort and happiness. He with his parents, brothers and sisters came to this neighborhood in 1892 and have lived here ever since. During these seven years his conduct as an upright and devoted son has won for him the love of all who knew him. While not an active member of the church yet his life and conduct were very consistent with its teachings and he always loved to attend its services. It seemed his choice in life to remain with his.parents and to care for them as they journeyed the reclined plane of life. His untimely death occurred Saturday June 17, 1899 about 3 p. m., being drowned in a pool near his home, while bathing with his beloved companion and neighbor Elmer Cook, who likewise suffered his sad fate. He departed in bis early manhabd being aged 21 years, 4 months and 5 days. Sad indeed are the hearts of his bereaved parents, his two brothers and three sisters all of whom are present except his oldest sister Edna, the distance of whose home makes" her presence impossible. Elmer Cook, the oldest living I son of Washington and Flora Cook * was bora in this township Nov. 20,

■ 1885. He was always an earnest and loving child. No pupil w s ever more devoted to his parents and teachers. Last night he was to have received his fourth roll of Honor, and in another year would have graduated from the * common schools at a very early age. B - ing a very bright and studious pupil his parents had high hope of his future success. Though very young he was very manly in his ways and was ever anxious to assist his parents. He was greatly interested in the affairs of his home and seemed almost too manly for a boy his age. He was the idol of his parents, brothers and sisters. Dearly loved by his school-mates and classmates and always admired by his teachers. He was indeed full of promise, but God seems to have called him to a higher sphere. Yesterday afternoon while bathing he was drowned, called away without a single opportunity offered to his dear relatives and friends to reach him the hand of love. He was aged 13 years, 6 months, and 27 days.