Callaghan, Patrick died 1879

CALLAGHAN

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 2/7/2021 at 00:38:38

Elkader Register, Thur., 19 June 1879.

The Turkey River has put a quietus on many a human life. Its swiftly flowing waters have successfully resisted the supreme struggles of many hapless victim, and year after year the papers chronicle the drowned, and still the roll increases, the last name added being that of Patrick Callaghan, of Highland township.

The first alarm was given about 12:30 p.m., Monday, by a boy who came running up town with the startling intelligence of "boy drowned," soon after a crowd of persons were rushing down the river to a place back of James Jack's residence, where the sad accident occurred. Efforts were immediately made to rescue the body, but owing to the fact that those present did not know exactly where he last went down, it was nearly an hour before the body was found. It was found in about 5 1/2 feet of water, standing nearly erect, facing up the river. Cal. Fleniken, with others took the body out and placed it on the bank

The boy was a son of Michael Callaghan, who lives in Highland township, and was nearly 16 years of age. He came to town in the morning and until noon was at the house of Father Quigley, learning his catechism preparing for the first communion next Sunday, and after being dismissed at noon, in company with several others, went down to the river for a bath. He and a boy by the name of Keenan, swam across the river, and in going back Callaghan, either through exhaustion or cramps, was drowned. Before going down he caught hold of Keenan, but he being unable to hold Callaghan and get out, was obliged to shake him off. The body was dressed and taken to the house of Mr. Mullen in the lower part of the town, and his father was sent for, who arrived early in the evening with friends, and took the body to the stricken home. The funeral occurred Tuesday morning, the remains were followed to their final resting place by a large procession of friends.