Fitch, Mary L. 'Mame' died 1890

FITCH, MOORE

Posted By: Audrey Haught, volunteer
Date: 9/11/2016 at 18:33:46

A Sad Accident – Miss Mame Fitch Drowned
While Fording Turkey River

Last Friday afternoon Miss Mame Fitch left Clermont with a horse and cart to go to Mr. Dan Dorland’s to spend the night with Mr. Dorland’s daughter, to whom she was giving music lessons and in order to reach there by the most direct route it was necessary for her to ford the Turkey river about a mile and ½ from Clermont. A road branches off form the main road before it reaches the ford which she could have taken and reached her destination without crossing the river by driving a couple of miles farther.

A snow storm and rain was fast approaching and it is thought that her eagerness to get in out of the storm made her try to ford the river, although it was at least two feet higher than usual. A man who was some distance away heard three screams in the direction of the river, which told plainer than words that someone was in distress.

When he reached the shore, which he did as quickly as possible, he saw the horse swimming in the river, being carried downstream by the rapid current, but no person was in sight. On reaching the opposite shore the horse was unable to get up on account of the steep bank, her turned and swam back across the stream and was rescued several rods below where he went in.

Word was at once sent to Clermont and from there to West Union by telephone and parties from Clermont hastened to the ford and began searching for the body. Others form this city went down as quickly as possible and spent most of the night dragging the river. On Saturday, hundreds of people gather on the river banks and dragged along the shores with grappling hooks while others broke up the ice with dynamite. On Sunday, a still large force was at work diligently searching for the body. On Saturday the lady’s hat and the robe and cushion were found.

The river at the ford is about 200 feet wide and on Friday was clear of ice and was flowing swiftly. The water where Miss Fitch drove in was not less than eight feet deep, and it was probable that the first plunge the horse made threw the young lady out.

Miss Fitch had just passed her 21st birthday. Was a graduate of the West Union High School, an accomplished musician and an amiable, ambitious and independent young lady. Her many intimate friends and classmates and her large circle of acquaintances share the sorrow of her parents, brothers and sisters.

Elkader Register: February 13, 1890

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The body of Miss Mame Fitch whose sad drowning we mentioned last week, was recovered on the 12th about a half a mile below the ford where she was drowned. The body was found by William Hendershott, who we understand has refused to accept the reward offered, but stipulates that the money be used to purchase a suitable monument for the unfortunate young lady.

Elkader Register: February 20, 1890

Notes: named in the biography (Past and Present of Fayette County Iowa, 1910; pg 784) of her father as Mary Luella; d/o George W. & Roxcie A. (Moore) Fitch