William John Frederick Blossy 1889-1934

BLOSSY, CAMPBELL, TAYLOR

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 6/24/2014 at 22:10:29

Pelican Resident Drowns
Body of William Blossy, 46, Recovered from Clear Lake by Searchers
William Blossy, 46-year-old Pelican farmer, lost his life by drowning in Clear lake Thursday morning – died in a brave attempt to warn five small children that they were in danger of drowning in the lake.

The body of Mr. Blossy was recovered by searchers at about 2 o’clock in the afternoon, more than two hours after he last sank into the water.

Undersheriff Hans Rodd, Fire Chief Henry Hansen, Fire Captain James Clark, Town Chairman Joseph Vanney and several neighbors of the Blossy family made up the search party that manned boats and used drag lines in search for the body. It was found about a half-block out from the old P.E. Kabel boathouse, in several feet of water.

Children Took Boat
Mr. Blossy had been working about his farm when he saw that three of his children and two children from the Frank Gavin family on a nearby farm had untied a leaky old boat near the boathouse, and had ventured out on the lake. Mr. Blossy knew that the boat would not stay afloat long, and he sought some means of warning the children.

The only other available boat was an old canoe in a cottage on the lake, and Mr. Blossy, who could not swim, carried this canoe to the lake and started out toward the children to get them to shore before the slowly filling boat should go under.

In some manner, his canoe capsized, and as it turned over, he was thrown from it. He was only a short distance from shore and Mrs. Blossy waded out to the end of the boathouse, clinging to a post with one hand and endeavoring to extend a fishing pole to him with the other hand. Although it came close, it would not quite reach him, and realizing that death was near, he urged his wife to go back to their home, and not watch.

Mrs. Blossy ran for help, and several neighbors came. Chairman Vanney was called and borrowed two boats from Knutson’s to aid in the search. Officers were called also, but the body could not be found for some time. Dr. L.G. Weed, county coroner, then was called to the scene.

The body was brought to the Carlson chapel; funeral arrangements have not been completed as yet. He leaves his parents, his widow, four children, and several other relatives.

His was the second tragic death in the family. A brother was killed several years ago while working at a sawmill on the Pelican river, only a short distance from where Thursday’s drowning accident occurred. (Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, WI, June 14, 1934)

Funeral Services – Arrangements for the funeral services for William Blossy, who drowned in Clear lake Thursday, have not been completed, but it is expected they will be held at 2 o’clock Monday afternoon from the home in Pelican, followed by services from a local church at 2:30 pm. (Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, WI, June 15, 1934)

Heroic
The community will sympathize with the family of William Blossy, town of Pelican farmer who lost his life in an attempt to warn a group of children of impending danger. His was an act of heroism and the tragedy which befell him is a grievous one. (Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, WI, June 15, 1934)

Farmer Drowned in Rescue Effort
Rhinelander – Attempting to reach his three children and two other youngsters he believed were in danger of drowning, William Blossy, 46, farmer living near here, lost his own life in Clear Lake late Thursday.

The children were fishing when the lake became rough and Blossy, unable to swim, attempted to reach their boat in a canoe. The canoe capsized.

The children rowed safely to shore. (Madison Wisconsin State Journal, Madison, WI, June 16, 1934)

Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell left this morning for Rhinelander, Wis., where they were called by the death of Mrs. Campbell’s brother, William Blossy, 45 years of age, who drowned Thursday. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at Rhinelander. Besides Mrs. Campbell, Mr. Blossy is survived by his wife, formerly Ivey Taylor of Gruver, and two sisters, one of Rhinelander and one at Marcy, N.Y. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, June 16, 1934)

Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell were called to Rhinelander, Wis., Saturday by the death of Mrs. Campbell’s brother, Wm. Blossy. Funeral services were held Monday at Rhinelander. (Estherville Enterprise, Estherville, IA, June 20, 1934)

Those from out of town that attended funeral services for the late William Blossy were Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell and daughter, Estherville, Iowa, Mr. and Mrs. Tom Kenney, Mr. and Mrs. Jim Starkey and Mrs. O. Davis of Elgin, Ill. (Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, WI, June 22, 1934)

Card of Thanks – We wish to thank our friends and neighbors, the Rev. H. Spear for their many kindnesses and floral tributes extended us during our recent bereavement, the death of our dear husband, father, son and brother. – Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Blossy and family, Mr. and Mrs. Carl Blossy, Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Gay, Mrs. Tom Hughes. (Rhinelander Daily News, Rhinelander, WI, June 23, 1934)