George Lush, 1873-1901

LUSH

Posted By: Emmet County IAGenWeb Coordinator (email)
Date: 2/17/2009 at 07:32:26

DEATH IN THE DES MOINES
George Lush, a High School Student,
Drowned Wednesday Afternoon

George Lush, a young man 20 years of age, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lush, who lives on a farm about five miles south of the city, was drowned in the Des Moines river about 4 o'clock Wednesday afternoon. The body was recovered in about forty minutes, and although everything known was done, it was of no avail. The funeral will be held sometime Friday. It will be either from the residence of Mrs. Jehu on North Seventh street, or at the Methodist church. It is probable the remains will be laid at rest in Oak Hill.

The young man came here last fall and has been attending high school. While here he worked for and boarded with Mrs. Jehu, the proprietor of the Estherville greenhouse. Wednesday, forenoon he took examinations, and was out of school in the afternoon. After working for a time about the greenhouse, he joined some boys and went to what is known as "the swimming hole," a fine bathing place in the river, just on the outskirts of the city. This place is of considerable width and from eight to ten feet deep in some places.

After they had been in the water for some time Lush and Willie Johnston, a boy considerably younger, started to swim across the river. The Johnston boy noticed that Lush was not swimming naturally and told him he had better turn back.

Almost at this instant he began floundering in the water. The Johnston boy went to his assistance, but Lush grabbed him and almost pulled him under the water. He broke away from him and swimming up behind him grabbed him by the hair and tried to hold his head out of water and push him to shore. When almost exhausted he gave up the struggle ad just reached shore before giving out entirely.

The alarm was immediately given, and in a short time a crowd was at the scene of the accident. In about forty minutes the body was recovered and carried to shore. Just at this time several physicians arrived. They worked for an hour with the body, but were unable to bring him back to life.

Word was immediately sent to his parents and Mr. Lush and son came in Wednesday evening. Mr. Lush returned Thursday morning, and it is expected that he will return today with Mrs. Lush, if she is able to travel. The mother is an invalid, however, and it was feared the shock might be too great for her. The deceased had three brothers ad two sisters, one of the sisters being married and living in Dakota. She is expected tonight.

The deceased was a most exemplary young man, and was highly esteemed by all who new him. His sad death cast a gloom over the school and among his associates.

Wednesday afternoon while working about the greenhouse, digging with a spade, he jokingly remarked to Mrs. Jehu that he was digging his grave. Little did he imagine at that time that death was so near.

Source: The Weekly Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, June 13, 1901.

Brief Sketch of the Life of the Late Lamented George Lush

The following brief sketch of the life of the late George Lush, together with resolutions adopted by his schoolmates, has been handed the Vindicator:

George Lush, an Emmet county boy, was born at Princeton, Ill. At the time of his death he was twenty years of age. He spent the years of his boyhood doting those things which fail to the lot of most boys raised on a farm. He joined the M. E. church in 1893. Upon the completion of the Eighth Grade work he entered the high school of Estherville, and had, at his death just completed the second year. In school he was faithful and painstaking, and exhibited the true spirit of the student. To teachers and schoolmates he was always kind and courteous. Gentlemanly in bearing at all times and in all places, he won the regard of both old and young. His uprightness of character was commented upon by one of our business men while in conversation with Mr. Dukes, who quotes the remark thus: "There is a young man who can be depended upon," an the school echoed the sentiment. The promise of so good a life was ruthlessly cut off Wednesday evening, June 12, 1901, when death by drowning took George from among us.

Source: The Weekly Northern Vindicator, Estherville, Emmet County, Iowa, June 27, 1901.