RHAMES, Frank (died 1888)

RHAMES

Posted By: Karen L. Robertson
Date: 6/18/2010 at 23:03:19

WENT DOWN TO DEATH

FRANK BUNDY, ANDREW GOLBERG, FRANK RHAMES AND ISAAC LOVESTRUM

DROWNED IN TURTLE CREEK-A SCENE OF WILD CONFUSION-HEART RENDING CRIES OF THE PERISHING

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH OF HOVAL SMITH AND HENRY BARWIND

(As the following, which occurred 35 years ago tomorrow, was the greatest tragedy that ever happened at St. Ansgar, we reprint the account entire from the Enterprise of that date)

The most heart-rending accident that has ever happened in Mitchell county, so far as we are aware, occured at this place a few minutes before five o'clock last Thursday evening. The high stage of the water in the Cedar river and tributary streams naturally attracted the attention of a large part of our population and the east bank of the Cedar was lines with people all day long. At about 4:35 o'clock in the afternoon a large crowd of young men returned to town to secure a conveyance to take them to Newburg, at which point the river was said to present a startling sight. They induced the Barwind brothers to take them over, and in a remarkably short time a wagon load of young men, consisting of Andrew Golberg; Fren and Henry Barwind; Lewis Moe; Frank Bundy; Frank Rhames: Alfred Anderson; Hoval Smith; Isaac Lovestrum; Charley Medin, Albert Rosel; Percy Starr and Harry Courtright-thirteen in number-drove out of town little dreaming of the fate awaiting them. When the party reached Turtle Creek they were astonished to find that that stream had broken its banks and had spread out over the lowlands on either side, making an expanse of water about twelve rods wide at the bridge and fully eighteen a short distance below.

In order to reach the bridge it would be necessary to ford through a swift current a distance of about eight rods. They hesitated, but did not exercise their better judgement and attempted to cross. When about three rods from the bridge, the wagon suddenly tipped slightly with the current, the team stopped and in an attempt to plunge forward fell and in another moment the wagon load of humanity together with the team were plunged into the seething water.

The scene that followed beggars description. The shrieks of the young men begging for help was heart-rending and could plainly be heard in the lower part of town. Their cries attracted the attention of several persons who chanced to be near by. A number of men were soon on the scene, but alas too late to rescue any of those that perished. The names of the dead are:
Frank Bundy, aged 17 years
Frank Rhames, aged 17 years
Isaac Lovestrum, age 17 years
Andrew Golberg, aged 21 years

Henry Barwind and Hoval Smith, while in the stream, succeeded in getting a secure hold of the tops of some willows which were above water, in which position they remained for about twenty minutes, by which time a boat came to their rescue. The search for the dead bodies commenced at once. Sam Moe and C. Reube occupied the only boat there and at about 6:15 recovered the body of Andrew Golberg. After dark a large searching party was organized, well supplied with boats and torches, but it was not until 10 o'clock that they succeeded in finding a body, and then it was that of Frank Rhames. As a crust of ice was then forming in places it was deemed advisable to abandon the search until morning. As soon as daylight appeared people commenced flocking to the scene of the accident and by seven o'clock nearly two hundred persons were present. The ice on the stream retarded the search considerable, but as everybody went to work breaking and clearing it away the time lost was not so great as might be expected. At 8 o'clock the body of Frank Bundy was recovered and about two hours late that of Isaac Lovestrum.

The funeral of Frank Bundy was held at his parents' residence at one o'clock p.m. Saturday. The discourse was delivered by Rev. A.A. Thayer, of Osage. At three o'clock of the same day occurred the services over the remains of Frank Rhames at the residence of his parents, Rev. Benedict, of Mitchell, officiating. On Sunday at 2 p.m. the remains of Andrew Golberg and Isaac Lovestrum were conveyed to the Norwegian Lutheran Church where Rev. J. Olsen delivered the discourse. The different funerals were very largely attended, many persons from other parts of the county being present.

Of the four young men who have so summarily been removed from among us, three were born and raised in this township, and the fourth, Isaac Lovestrum, came here with his parents when an infant, and has resided here since. They were all regarded as steady and industrious young men and their tragic deaths has cast a shadow of gloom over this community. To the grief stricken parents and relatives we extend our heartfelt sympathies, at the same time fully realizing that any attempt on our part to express the feeling of our people toward the sorrowed fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters would prove in a measure futile.

[ St. Ansgar Enterprise ]