George Botzet 1899-1925

BOTZET, BUTLETT, BURLET, PETERSON

Posted By: J. Nicks (email)
Date: 5/19/2006 at 14:51:43

Telegraph Herald
Dubuque, Iowa

GEORGE BOTZET IS RIVER VICTIM
DROWNS IN RIVER NORTH OF FRENTRESS LAKE ON SUNDAY AFTERNOON
BODY FOUND MONDAY AFTERNOON
Anton Peterson makes Valiant Effort to Save Friend From Current

Despite the frantic efforts of his friend, Anton Peterson, to drag him to safety, George Botzet, 26 years old, 2101 Kniest street, was drowned Sunday afternoon about 3 o’clock when stricken with cramps while swimming in the Mississippi river a short distance north of Frentress lake. The body was recovered shortly before 2 o’clock this afternoon south of where the drowning occurred.

Peterson, in his efforts to save Botzet’s life, almost met a similar fate. He was swimming near by when Botzet was stricken and cried for help, Peterson grabbed the sinking man by the hair. Botzet wrapped himself around Peterson’s body and the rescuer had great difficulty in breaking the hold and saving himself from being pulled down. Grabbing Botzet a second time, Peterson again found himself locked in the embrace of the drowning man and again managed to break loose. His third effort to reach Botzet was fruitless, the victim of the river having disappeared beneath the river’s surface.

While Peterson was fighting to save Botzet’s life, Mrs. Botzet was in a nearby cottage preparing to join her husband in the water. She, however, did not witness the drowning.

Botzet and his wife, together with two young married couples, were spending the day with Peterson at the latter’s cottage at the second cut off above Frentress. In the morning the men had been in the water but Botzet for a few minutes only, an attack of cramps at that time sending him to shore. When stricken in the morning he was but a short distance from the shore.

In the afternoon the men in the party prepared to go into the water and the crowd planned to swim on the east of the cottage, where there is but little current. The men, however, decided to swim in the river before the women joined them. They had been in the water but a short time when Peterson heard Botzet’s cry for help. Peterson grabbed Botzet by the hair and was just starting to pull him to shore when Botzet wrapped himself around Peterson’s body. Peterson freed himself and again grabbed Botzet only to be again locked in Botzet’s arms.

The men were in a very swift current and when Peterson, for a second time broke Botzet’s hold, Botzet went under and was carried down river by the swift waters. Peterson and the other men searched for the body but were unable to locate it.

The city life boat was called and the river dragged. Today another crew of searchers were dragging the river in an attempt to find the body.

The river’s latest victim was born in Dubuque Feb.3, 1899 and lived his entire life here. He was educated at the Prescott school and had been employed at the Milwaukee shops as a boiler maker apprentice. He was a member of the Catholic faith and an attendant of St. Mary’s church. He is survived by his wife, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Peter Botzet, and his grandmother, Mrs. Theresa Butlett. Several uncles and aunts also survive.

Handwritten on clipping: 1925 or 26