Sprague Isett

ISETT, TAYLOR

Posted By: Beverly Gerdts (email)
Date: 3/12/2024 at 09:28:48

The Wapello Republic, Wapello, Iowa
Thursday, December 28, 1893
Page 4

This community was greatly shocked last Tuesday afternoon by the drowning of Sprague Isett, son of Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Isett, in the river while skating. The little fellow in company with a number of other small boys were skating just above the bridge, while a short distance below it was a company of larger boys. It would seem that Sprague started to join the lower company and skated into a large air hole directly under the bridge. He was seen by other boys who hastened to his rescue, and Cass Taylor, lying on the ice, reached over the edge for the out stretched hand but just too late. One mitten on the hand with which he had clutched the edge of the ice came off and froze fast.

As a report was given out that a boy had drowned men came with saws and bars to cut and remove the ice, while others with boats and hooks were prepared for a thorough search for the body. It was about 2 o'clock when the accident occurred and at 4 o'clock the grappling hooks brought to the surface the lifeless body. The remains were carried to the undertaking rooms of Keck bros where they were made to look as life like as possible. Sprague was a bright boy of nine years, the third child an full of energy. Only the night before his death he attended the Christmas exercises at the Presbyterian church. The funeral will occur this (Thursday) afternoon at 2 o'clock from the family residence, the exercises to be conducted by Rev. J. H. Condit.