Mr. Matt William - Drowned at Home

WILLIAMS

Posted By: Cheryl Locher Moonen (email)
Date: 5/5/2015 at 17:16:41

Dubuque Daily Globe and Times Journal May 27, 1903

MATT WILLIAMS

DROWNED AT HOME
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WELL KNOWN FARMER

METS HIS DEATH IN

A RAGING FLOOD

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The sad news of the death of Mr. Matthew Williams, who resided in Jackson County, near the Dubuque County .line, was received in this city this morning. The particulars are as follows:

Mr. Williams was in Cascade on business Tuesday, accompanied by his daughter, and started home about the middle of the afternoon, arriving there about 7 o’clock in the evening. His house is located in a small valley in which there is a dry run, but which fills up with water during heavy rain storms. On arriving at a point on the bank of the run, opposite his house, found that a great body of water was rushing through the valley and sending up sprays against the rocks on the bank. There is a ford in the run which is reached from the roadway. The water was making such a deafening noise and presented such a dangerous appearance that Miss Williams became frightened and would not remain in the wagon. She urged her father not to undertake to cross, but he remarked that he did not believe there was any danger, remarking also that he knew where the ford was and could get onto it without any trouble. He then drove into the creek and when about midway in the stream the rushing water swept the horses from their feet and wagon and all were carried down the stream. Mr. Williams was thrown out of the wagon box, which it is said turned over on him, and was drowned in sight of his own house. He had no possible chance of saving himself in the whirl flood of rushing water. His daughter, who standing on the bank witnessed the awful sight, came near fainting. She gave the alarm and in a short time some neighbors made their appearance and a search for the body was begun. It was found some distance from the scene of the distressing occurrence, lodged against the bank, and taken to his late home. There was a report that the team had been drowned, but it proved to be untrue and with the wagon they were taken from the wreck.

The accident caused universal sorrow in the neighborhood and it has also caused severe sorrow in Dubuque where Mr. Williams has relatives and is well known. He is about fifty-two years of age and is well known throughout the southern part of Dubuque and the southwestern part of Jackson County, being a member of the Garryowen Catholic Church. Those in Dubuque who know him say he was a man of very high character and held in high regard.

He is survived by his wife, who, it is said was standing in the doorway looking at him when he was drowned, and by two daughters and one son.