DeFrance, David (1878-1902)

DEFRANCE, MOYER

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 10/28/2023 at 15:46:05

Webster City Freeman
Webster City, Iowa
Tuesday, July 15, 1902

DAVID DEFRANCE DROWNED IN THE BOONE RIVER
Was in Bathing - Attempted to Swim Across Swollen Waters and Lost His Life

BODY NOT YET RECOVERED

David DeFrance, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.J. DeFrance, was drowned in the Boone river at Tunnel Thursday afternoon at about 4 o'clock.

Mr. DeFrance was a young man about 24 years of age. Together with Will Meyers, a brother-in-law, he was bathing in the river about seven miles south of the city at the old Tunnel mill location near which the DeFrances reside. After having been in the water sometime David expressed a wish to swim across the swollen waters to the other side. Mr. Meyers dissuaded him from attempting the feat at the particular point where they were swimming because of the extreme swiftness of the current. Together the young men went further down the stream, where the current appeared to be not so swift, and started across. When about half way over Meyers, who was ahead, noted that DeFrance was losing strength. He called back to him to catch hold of the top of a tree protuding from the waters and rest a bit before attempting the rest of the distance. DeFrance grasped a branch, poised himself upon it a moment, and then sank into the treacherous waters. His condition was not at first realized, but when he did not soon appear, Meyers feared a possible accident. DeFrance did not come to the surface as is usual when people are drowning. Whether he was in some manner drawn under by being caught in the tree top or bushes, or was seized with cramps, will likely never be known.

David DeFrance was well known in this city. He had worked in the tile factory and at other places about town. He bore an excellent reputation and was a general favorite among those who were his friends. Webster City citizens in general will sympathize with the stricken family and relatives upon whom the accident has cast a terrible burden of sorrow.

[David DeFrance is buried in Graceland Cemetery, Webster City, Iowa, his parents are Daniel Callahan DeFrance and Mary Moyer DeFrance who are also buried in Graceland Cemetery]

Stratford Courier
Stratford, Iowa
Thursday, July 17, 1902

Body of DeFrance Found Monday
About two miles below Tunnel Mills, where he was drowned Thursday last week. He was interred Tuesday

Many and varied reports are published regarding the drowning of David DeFrance, son of D.C. DeFrance, living near Tunnel Mills, but this is the way an eye-witness describes it:

Thursday afternoon a number were assembled on the bridge at Tunnel Mills, watching the high water. Will Meyers swam across the swollen waters and he was followed by Harry Williams. Both of these young men are expert swimmers. Then young DeFrance tried it against the wishes of the people. When he reached the middle of the stream he began to grow tired and reached out for a projecting timber near the bridge, but in some manner missed his hold and fell back into the water and was carried down the stream fifty yards. His brothers tried to jump in and save him, but were held back by their friends. The drowning man came to the surface twice and tried to save himself, but it seems as if he was dazed and could do nothing. He tried to grasp a log once, but missed his hold and fell back, never coming to the surface again.

The young man was about twenty-four years old and was strong and vigorous. Searching parties have been out day and night since the accident, but no trace of the body has been found and it is feared that it will not be found until the waters have receded.

THE BODY IS FOUND

Tunnel Mills, July 15, Special - The body of David DeFrance was found about two miles south of his place last evening at 5:47 o'clock by a searching party. It was badly decomposed.