Nelson, Alfred died 1917

NELSON

Posted By: Reid R. Johnson (email)
Date: 10/4/2021 at 10:18:20

Elkader Register & Argus, Thur., 02 Aug. 1917.

While seeking relief from the heat of the sun by swimming in the Mississippi river at McGregor about noon Thursday, Alfred Nelson, the 18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Nelson, of McGregor, met his death by drowning. The body of the river's victim was recovered from the water about an hour later by a searching party which organized as soon as they saw the boy sink beneath the surface of the water and fail to come up. The remains were taken to the undertaking parlors in McGregor.

The Nelson youth was employed by the Milwaukee with a section crew and decided to take a swim during the noon hour in order to seek solace from the hot sun. He went to the river a short distance below the freight depot at McGregor and was swimming around for some time. Finally those near at hand on the shore heard his cry for help and saw him sink below the water and fail to come up. They strived to reach him but were to late.

Others were summoned and after about an hour's search the body was found a short distance from where it had disappeared under the surface of the river.

Besides his parents the latest river victim is survived by two sisters and one brother. The youth had strived to enlist in the army a short time ago but failed to pass the physical examination. He had taken up the section work with the intention of getting himself in good enough physical condition to get into the army.