Mole, Carrie

MOLE

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 11/5/2007 at 20:55:46

Jackson Sentinel
June 20, 1889

Miss Carrie Mole’s Drowning.

Notwithstanding the frequent heart-rending misfortunes that have occurred the past few weeks to move the sympathetic feelings of our people, and prepare them for any ill tidings that might come, there were none of her large circle of acquaintances, but what felt greatly distressed at hearing the report of Miss Carrie Mole’s drowning at Grinnell, Tuesday evening, June 11th.

As the Sentinel went to press last week before any particulars could be obtained, we have since learned that Miss Mole and Miss Blanche McMeans, of this city, C.C. Carstens, of Davenport, and C. E. McKinley, of Anits, all student s at Iowa College, set out for a boat ride in an artificial lake, or reservoir near the city. It was a charming evening, the waters were placid and inviting, the young people were happy, light hearted and gay, as students naturally are after a day of successful work. The four embarked in a skiff and after rowing about for some little time Miss McMeans and Mr. McKinley attempted to exchange seats, when the boat leered, then capsized, and the occupants were thrown into deep water. These young ladies sunk, and as they rose to the surface, the young men (both good swimmers) turned their attention to Miss Mole, who seemed to be in for greatest peril. Miss McMeans managing to keep on top of water got hold of the side of the boat with the rest. The boat turned over on them, the young men lost their hold upon Miss Mole and she sank for the last time, and Miss McMeans was saved by persons from the shore. Thirty-five minutes after, the body of Miss Mole was recovered, and physicians labored several hours to resuscitate her, but failed.

The remains were brought to this city after a short funeral service at the college. On Thursday afternoon the funeral proper took place at the M. E. church, which was beautifully bedecked with flowers for the sad occasion by loving friends. The church was crowded with people, anxious to obtain a last look at the remains. Rev Van Ness, Rev. McIntyre and President Gates, of Iowa College, spoke in most feeling terms of the beautiful Christian character of deceased. Miss Mole was a graduate and teacher in our city schools, and they were closed for the afternoon out of respect to her memory.

Deceased was born in this city Dec. 12th, 1865, and was the second eldest of three daughters of Wm. Mole. Their mother died in their childhood, and after the marriage of her eldest sister to Mr. Chas F. Tubbs, the cares and responsibilities of the household devolved upon Miss Carrie. How nobly she performed her work her friends best know, and with her untiring perseverance, kept pace with her companions in all school work, graduating with honor, and showing such merit as to warrant the school board in making her one of our teachers. She was not yet satisfied with the knowledge so far gained, and wishing to pursue her studies farther, entered Iowa college last year, and would have completed her course had this sad accident not befallen her. She was a thorough scholar, a beautiful, Christian girl, pure in character, graceful in manner and form, handsome in feature, modest in demeanor, and free from vanity and artifice. She was beloved by all who knew her, and her grief-stricken father and sisters have the sympathy of the community in their loss.