Alfred William Estell (1926)

ESTELL

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler, Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/4/2014 at 11:50:43

Earlham Echo – Earlham, Iowa
September 2, 1926

Dexter Boy Drowns

The Dexter community was saddened Sunday afternoon by the report of the sudden death of Alfred William Estell, twelve year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. P. L. Estell, residing northwest of town. The boy had been left at home with his two smaller brothers while the parents went to town, Mr. Estell serving as pallbearer at the funeral of Mr. Antle. After finishing his work Alfred went alone to a pool in the creek bed near the house with the intent to go swimming, ignoring the specific instructions of his parents not to go near the water. His brothers heard him call for help later and reached the pool in time to see the back of his head just below the surface of the water. They could do nothing but scream for help, and while their cries were heard by a neighbor, he did not suspect their import. Not until the parents came home did they discover the awful truth. The body was found in another deep pool several rods below the one where the boy had left his clothing, in about eight feet of water. Diving, his father found him sitting on the bottom just as he had sunk the last time. It is supposed the chill of the cold water induced a cramp which rendered the boy helpless. Funeral services were held at the Dexter Presbyterian Church Tuesday afternoon. The boy was well known about town, delivering milk there every day and being a favorite of the patrons.