Irl David King (1929)

KING, TAYLOR, HOCKETT

Posted By: Pat Hochstetler (email)
Date: 10/9/2007 at 08:45:15

Earlham Library Obituary Collection
May 1929

IRL DAVID KING

IRL KING MEETS TRAGIC DEATH

Son of Mr. and Mrs. George King Who Died of Heart Failure in South Dakota River. Saw Military Service in Many Countries. Funeral Services Here Monday.

Fate, as she casts her abuttle back and forth through the warp of human events, weaves a fascinating pattern. Fate breaks the thread and rewinds her shuttle; she alone has a vision of her work as it shall appear when man’s part in it is done.

Irl King, son of Mr. and Mrs. George King, known and loved by a wide circle of friends at Earlham, saw the rigors of a soldier’s life in strange countries. He long was stationed in Siberia and other far eastern lands, probably during those years running the gantlet of many dangerous experiences when his life was sorely threatened. But it was in the hills of South Dakota, the place he knew so well from long association that Fate broke the life-thread and declared his share in her pattern daze.

And what a beautiful pattern he leaves. Standing boldly forth from the deeds of fewer folk are this young man’s duty to parents, quiet service for the Master, love of country, and the other sterling qualities which have universally endeared him where he was known. His kindly remembered deeds have written an eulogy greater than that of feeble words.

A short time ago Irl left Earlham for Isabel, S. D., where his brothers Fred, Stephen and Kenneth had precluded him to work on the King farm. On the evening of May 28th, Irl with another man went to round up the cattle. On reaching the Murrow River, a large stream which flows through the farm on which Irl was employed, they found it so swollen from recent rains that their horses refused to attempt the ford. Irl, a strong swimmer, volunteered to go after the cattle. Stripping off his shoes and coat he entered the chilly, muddy water.

He reached the opposite shore without mishap, but the watcher on the bank just quitted saw hesitation in Irl’s motions as he sought to leave the river. One hand clenched a small limb which hung over the deep waters. A moment he lay ----, restling from his battle with the river, and then with an apparent effort struggled to pull himself from the water. But the rotting limb betrayed him, and he fell back. Too exhausted to swim farther, he disappeared before the horrified eyes of his companion.

When found three days later by his brother Kenneth, the body had floated three miles downstream and was resting on a sandbar. The absence of water in the lungs and presence of a deep gash over the forehead indicated that Irl either suffered heart failure from the exertion and chill, or in falling into the water struck his head on a submerged rock, thus rendering his death mercifully swift.

The body accompanied by Stephen King arrived Sunday evening and was taken in charge by Welch & Benson. Funeral services were held Monday afternoon in the Friends with Dr. A. N. Simpson officiating assised by the Rev. S. N. Hester. Interment was in Earlham Cemetery. An honorary guard of twelve former ex-service men preceded the hearse to the cemetery and fired over the grave.

Among the host of relatives who attended the services were the deceased’s sister Mrs. Garmon Taylor, of Inglewood, Cal., a brother Howard, of Coon Rapids, and the Hockett families from Des Moines. The bereaved persons have the sympathy of the community in their great loss.

The following obituary was read:

OBITUARY

Irl David King, eldest son of George and Nancy King was born in Dallas County, Iowa, March 22, 1887. And lost his life through accidental drowning May 28, 1929, near Isabel, S. D., his age being 22 years, two months and six days. Irl loved his home and his country.

On May 2, 1918 he enlisted in Co. – the 50th infantry and remained in the army for four years. After the Armistice was signed he served in the army of occupation and was in Siberia, Japan, China, Manchuria, the Philippine Islands and Hawaii, obtaining an honorable discharge in the city Washington. In the army life he established a clean record. He was a dutiful son and a loving brother.

He learned to pray at his mother’s knee and gave his heart to the Lord when a boy. He united with the Baptist Church and has lived a Christian life. While we mourn his loss we do not mourn to those who have no hope.

His loved ones left to mourn his loss are his father and mother, four brothers and two sisters. His brothers are Fred J., Stephen and Kenneth, of Isabel, S. Dakota, and Howard, of Coon Rapids, Iowa. The sisters are Esther Taylor, of Inglewood, California, and Marilla, of Earlham, and many relatives and friends.

Quietly in the path of duty this young man met bravely the last great enemy, but out beyond the ---- and eddying currents of life with its ------- he has happily reached that distant heaven when peace -----forever.