Leonard Larson

LARSON

Posted By: David L. Skipton (email)
Date: 3/13/2009 at 23:07:15

August 3, 1956, Grandview, Ia.

Grandview Boy Drown; Pals Saved.

Leonard Larson, 16, son of Mr. and Mrs. Merlin Larson, Grandview, was drowned Thursday afternoon whil swimming in the Mississippi River not far from Lock and Dam No. 17 near New Boston, Ill.

Louis Beik, 15 and Ron Beeding, his companions, tried to save Larson, but were unsuccessful and were pulled under while trying to rescue him.

Mr. and Mrs. Powell Griffith, of Iowa City, who were fishing nearby, raced to the point from wich they heard cries for help but Larson disappeared as they arrived. Griffith threw a lifejacket to one of the other boys and helped pull him from the water.

Larson's body was recovered at 4:10 p.m. about an hour after the drowning. L.E. Parish, of the Wapello Fire and Rescue squad, directed the search in a boat owned by Joe Long of New Boston.