Drowned

SLACK

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 4/5/2013 at 23:26:30

The Mirror, Lyons, Clinton County, Iowa, December 20, 1854

DROWNED-Last Thursday between 5 and 6 P.M., a man by the name of John Slack started to cross the river in a small skiff from this side. He was observed to have no oars when he set out, but sat in the stern with a paddle, which caused the bow end to be high out of the water. We cannot ascertain that any one saw how he got into the water, but it is supposed the bow ran on the top of a cake of ice, when he either fell back or the stern end sunk and him with it. He was seen to come up once, but could not be reached in time to get out, neither him or the skiff was seen afterwards. He was under the influence of liquor, and to that may be charged the cause of death.