Radach, Elmer 1895-1899

RADACH

Posted By: Maria Jean (email)
Date: 1/16/2009 at 20:57:24

Obituary June 7, 1899 Guttenberg, Clayton County, Iowa.

SAD DROWNING

Elmer Radach, Young Son of Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Radach Drowns at about 4 o'clock Monday, Body Found"

On Monday afternoon the news was circulated around town that Elmer Radach, the young son of Mr. and Mrs. William Radach, living in the upper part of our city, had fallen in off a flat at about 4 o'clock and was drowned. Immediately searchers repaired to the spot to search for the body. Men and boys in skiffs with rakes and drag hooks worked hard nearly all night but were unable to recover the body until Tuesday morning at about 9 o'clock it was found near where it is said the boy fell in. He was playing with a 6 year old cousin of his who gave the claim that Elmer had fallen in the river. Mrs. Radach had just called them away from the river bank a few moments before, but the restless spirit of children took advantage of her not looking and again went to the river where a float was tied. There was about 4 feet of water where he fell in but a few feet further out was a deep hole.

Elmer was four years old on April 22, 1899, and leaves besides his parents, two sisters and three brothers, to mourn his untimely taking off. Every year the river claims its victims but this one is the first case this year. It should be a warning to parents not to allow their children near the river.

This entire community all unite in extending their sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Radach and their family in the sad loss of their little one. Burial takes place today with internment at City cemetery.

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Added by S. Ferrall 9/27/2020:

Card of Thanks
Mr. and Mrs. William Radach wish to thank all of their friends and others who so kindly assisted them in the recovery of their little son who was drowned. They also wish to thank Dave Drenkhahn for finding the body and Mrs. Behrns and Chas. E. Scholz for their services in the funeral preparations.
~Guttenberg Press, Wed., June 14, 1899

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Added by Joy Moore 9/27/2020:

Source: Decorah Republican June 8, 1899 P 3 C 5

Drowned at Guttenberg.
In the wind and rain storm of Tuesday evening a Guttenberg boy named Radbach [sic] was drowned in the Mississippi. He was in a boat on the river and while attempting to reach the shore before the storm came up capsized the boat. The storm did considerable damage to Guttenberg property and Emil Johl and Theo. Rath were seriously injured.