Drowning of Arthur Quick

QUICK

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 7/16/2010 at 11:39:50

Jackson Sentinel, Maquoketa, Iowa, June 22, 1893

DROWNING OF ARTHUR QUICK

At about 3 o’clock Sunday afternoon the quiet of the town was disturbed by the announcement from W. D. Palmer, who came riding hastily over from Rockville, that a young man had drowned near the slough dam and help was wanted immediately to find the body. It will be remembered that it was only a few Sundays since that Mr. Palmer was the bearer of similar tidings, announcing the drowning of A. G. Bertelsen. A number at once repaired to the scene, which is but a short distance west of Rockville mill in the north fork of the Maquoketa River. After a search for an hour or more by Cortez Lyon, Frank Slauter, Fred Hall and others, Fred discovered the body with a spear in about twelve feet of water, cathing him in the arm, when the body was raised to the top of the water and lifted into a boat, and then conveyed to the home, which is some three miles northeast of town. It would seem that Arthur, the 17 year old son of Samuel Quick, with his younger brother Roy and two companions went to the river to bathe. None of them could swim. Roy ventured first, but returned, saying the water was too deep, but Arthur, failing to comprehend the danger, plunged in and was soon beyond his depth. He called for help and Roy attempted to help him, and had it not been for the timely assistance of the other two boys who reached out a pole they would have both gone down. Arthur struggled desperately and finally, after drifting downstream a short distance, sank, never to rise again alive. The funeral occurred at the home on Monday afternoon, and the sorrowing family have the sympathy of the community.