Jesse Fay Fowler Drowns

FOWLER, BOONE, HOLMES

Posted By: Judy Kelley (volunteer) (email)
Date: 3/9/2012 at 14:08:23

GIVES LIFE TO SAVE HIS COMPANION

Jesse Fay Fowler Drowns Yesterday Afternoon While Going to Rescue.

THE BODY WAS RECOVERED.

Small Lad Heroically Gives Up His Life to Save His Nephew Who Was Drowning in Leutzinger's Creek - Gets Beyond Depth.

From Thursday's Daily.

In a heroic attempt to rescue his nephew who had gotten beyond his depth in a deep hole in Leutzinger's creek below the Burlington road yesterday afternoon, Jesse Fay Fowler, the 11 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. John Fowler, of Buell street, was drowned. Everett Fowler, the little fellow whom he tried to recue was saved by two companions.

From what can be gleaned the lad lost his life in a purely unselfish effort to save his companion. He could not swim neither could the other but nevertheless he plunged into what proved to be his death with out a moment's hesitation and lost his life without a cry of protest.

How It Happened.

The tragedy occurred as near as can be judged about 2:30 o'clock yesterday afternoon but the news of the accident did not reach the city for some time afterward. Fay Fowler with his nephew, Everett Fowler, and two other small boys, Glenn Boone and Bert Holmes, were employed on the Heinz pickle farm below the city. Shortly after noon the four stole away and spent some time wading and seining for minnows in Leutzinger's creek which runs past the pickle farm.

Gets Beyond Depth.

So engrossed were the little fellows in their fun and in pursuit of the little denizens of the water that Everett Fowler who was in advance did not notice how near they had approached one of the deep holes of the creek. In an instant he had plunged in and was struggling in fully seven feet of water. He went down twice and then Fay seeing that he was drowning gave a cry and plunged in after him. He gave him a push towards the bank being upheld for a moment by the impetus of the leap and then without a cry sank to his death. The other two boys were so engrossed in saving Everett that they did not notice the boy's death struggle until too late. They then gave the alarm and search for the body began. Elmer________________________ and after diving for the remains for several minutes brought it to the surface. Dr. J. W. Morgan was summoned but was unable to render aid to the boy. The little body was taken to the home of the parents who are broken hearted over the accident.

Tells the Story.

Everett Fowler the lad who nearly lost his life said that the boys were wading for minnows. He got beyond his depth he said and began strangling. He screamed for help and felt someone give him a push and the two boys helped him out. The other boys say that the drowned lad when he saw his nephew sinking shouted and then plunged in pushing the drowning lad to safety and sank himself. The drowned lad was a pupil in the eight grade in the Cedar street school and wa a favorite with his fellow pupils and teachers.

source: unknown and undated newspaper clipping.