Averill Johnston Lewis 1899-1921

LEWIS, ESTLE, MCKEAN, ADAIR, BUFFINGTON

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 9/21/2023 at 07:59:56

Columbus Gazette, Columbus Junction IA
Thursday, July 14, 1921
Page 1

Averill J. Lewis, son of Dr. S. J. Lewis and one of the most popular young men in this community, was drowned while swimming in the Iowa river a few miles southeast of this city, Thursday, July 7th about 7:45. Mr. Lewis, who has been employed on the Chas. Estle farm this summer near Letts, following his day's work Thursday, had driven to the home of Mr. and Mrs. Ed McKean in the Indian Creek Neighborhood and accompanied the daughter, Miss Marie McKean, to a sand bar on the Iowa River near the Mrs. Vinnie Mishler farm. Mr. and Mrs. McKean and daughters, Mrs. Lela Adair and husband and Mrs. Blanche Buffington and children had preceded them to the river and were in the shallow water. Mr. Lewis approached the river about 100 feet below where they were bathing and being a good swimmer, plunged in where the water was ten to twelve feet deep. He swam almost across the stream, then turned back but had only gone a few yards when the young people watching him swim, were horrified to hear him give a deep grown as if in sudden severe pain and sink from sight.

None of them could swim and when he did not reappear they frantically called for help and Mr. Mickey, who was fishing a short distance away, hurried to their assistance but unable to swim, then hurriedly made to the nearest telephone to summon help. Search parties were thoroughly organized and a systematic search of the rive begun which resulted in the recovery of the body about two o'clock in twelve feet of water and about sixty feet from where he sank.

Averill Johnston Lewis was born at Columbus City, January 24, 1899. He completed the school course there and then attended the Columbus Junction high school three years. Soon after the breaking out of the World War he placed country above his personal desires and even life itself and enlisted in July 1917 in Co. A. of the 109th Ammunition Train. He was honorably discharged in July 1919 serving within a few days of two years. He is survived by his father and step mother and one sister, Ruth and two brothers, David and Burdette. The funeral services were held Saturday afternoon at 2:30 at the United Presbyterian church at Columbus City conducted by an uncle Dr. S. W. Evans. Members of the American legion were in command and had charge of the services at the grave. Interment in Columbus City cemetery.