DURBIN, Frank

DURBIN, HAMMACK, CAMPBELL

Posted By: IAGenWeb Volunteer
Date: 10/24/2013 at 10:28:16

Mills County Republican
15 August 1879

A Triple Tragedy. Three Young Men Meet Their Fate in a Watery Grave

Wednesday morning six young men, living south of Emerson, with camping outfit, went to Red Oak to work on the branch railroad. Their names were Chas. Hammock, Frank Durbin and four brothers, Thomas, Mark, Willard and Albert Campbell.

They pitched their tent near the river and after supper the boys proposed going swimming. They went to the river south of the wagon road bridge and went into the water where it was very shallow, when suddenly, Chas, Mark, Thomas and Frank fell into a deep hole and not being able to swim, Chas. and Frank sank at once and did not come to the surface.

Thomas sank but came to the surface and cried for help, but none could be given and the poor boy sank to rise no more. Willard could swim and swam in and saved his brother, Mark. Albert got ashore; he cannot tell how.

The alarm was given and everything that could be done was done to save the boys. Two young men dove to the bottom of the hole and succeeded in bringing the bodies to the surface, which had been in the water about an hour. Thomas Campbell's heart was beating it is said, when he was raised, but life was too far gone to save him.

Late at night, word was brought to the grief stricken parents, that their boys, who but so recently had left home full of life, were dead. They were brought home Thursday morning and were buried in the Malvern Cemetery in the afternoon. A large procession followed the remains to the burial. The young men were each about 17 years of age, were kind hearted and obedient at home, and among their associates. The men will be sadly missed in the circles where they moved, and the grief striken parents and friends, have the sympathy of all who learn of the loss. "In the midst of life, we are in death."

(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Charlie Hammack, son of C. & TA, d. 13 Aug 1879, 17y 5m 12d)
(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Frank Durbin, son of J. & L. 16 Jun 1861 - 13 Aug 1879)
(headstone in Malvern Cemetery: Thomas E. Campbell, son of James & C.A., d 13 Aug 1879, 17y 11m 24d