GOUKA, Wilhelm c1856-1886

GOUKA

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 8/9/2014 at 12:57:05

Man Drowned.

Last Sunday afternoon a number of the laborers on the railroad grade at Riceville went to the mill pond for a bath, and among the number was a German from Chicago by the name of Wilhelm Gouka.

Arrived at the place for bathing, they all to the number of six or eight, divested themselves of apparel and went in. Gouka ahead and backing into the water. He was cautioned to be careful, as the pond was deep, and neither he or his companions could swim.

Presently he went down in about eighteen feet of water and did not come to the surface. He was under water about one hour and a half, when Mr. H. Greenwood, an expert swimmer successfully dove for him, bringing him to the surface, but with much fatigue to himself.

A respectable coffin was procured and he was buried in the cemetery at Riceville, Mitchell county, Iowa, that afternoon, the laborers on the grade and many of the citizens attending the solemn service which was conducted by the Rev Mr. Nichols, pastor of the Baptist church.

The deceased was a heavy built man, about thirty years old, and would weigh about 200 pounds. He was a quiet laboringman, (as all the men on the grade seem to be,) and left no effects or data to give clue to his friends if any in the country, more than is given above.

Source: Iowa Plain Dealer June 17, 1886, P3 C3