Albert Hoffman 1886-1893

HOFFMAN

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 3/31/2011 at 19:46:31

Boy Drowned
An eight year old boy of Otto Hoffman, who works for Ed. Nourse, went fishing with his father down to the dam last Sunday [May 21, 1893]. While the father was fishing below the dam on the east side, the little boy amused himself by playing with some other children above the dam close to the brink. In endeavoring to catch some minnows with his hands the unfortunate little fellow lost his balance and fell backwards in the swift running water. Instantly before anyone present realized what had happened, the boy was carried head first over the dam which is about three feet high. The boy was seen two or three times in the seething water, but it being impossible to rescue him he was carried to the middle of the river where he disappeared from view. Sunday afternoon men with boats and hooks dragged the river and exploded dynamite in hopes of recovering the body, but their efforts were in vain, and at this writing, Wednesday afternoon, no signs of it have been discovered, and probably will not be until the present high water recedes. The distressing affair calls forth the warmest sympathy on behalf of the afflicted family. (Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, May 25, 1893)

Last Sunday S. J. Cox came very near losing his life while searching for the body of the little Hoffman boy in the river. Alone in a boat he went too close to the dam on the lower side, and the tailing water catching the boat it was instantly upset and torn to pieces. Mr. Cox hung to the largest piece he could get hold of, and was repeatedly drawn under the waves but was finally rescued by some one with another boat before his strength gave out. All rejoice that his life was spared. (Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, May 25, 1893)

The body of the little Hoffman boy was found yesterday about two miles and a half down the river. The discovery was made by C. A. Gregg and the sorrowing father, who have been hunting for the child every day since the deplorable accident happened ten days ago. The bad condition in which the body was in made it necessary to place it in a coffin at once and have an early burial. The funeral was held this morning. (Northern Vindicator, Estherville, IA, June 1, 1893)