Fred Alfred Downs 1899 - 1939

DOWNS, WORLEY

Posted By: Phyllis Hazen (email)
Date: 8/19/2015 at 17:05:23

Fred Downs, 40 Funeral Rites Set Wednesday

Funeral services for Fred Alfred Downs, 40, of 308 Orange street, whose body was recovered from the Mississippi river Monday afternoon, will be held at 2:30 p. m. Wednesday in the chapel of the Fairbanks Home for Funerals with the Rev. A. L. Brandstetter, pastor of the United Brethren church, officiating. The body will remain at the funeral home until the services are conducted and burial will be in Greenwood cemetery.
Mr. Downs, who was in failing health, disappeared from his home Saturday afternoon. When he failed to return, relatives feared that he had taken his life as he had threatened to do, they reported.
The body was found about 2:30 p. m. Monday by John W. Hays, 726 East Front street, as he was rowing upstream from the fish market. Snagged on a piece of brush about 15 feet out in the stream near the foot of Oak street, the body was totally submerged except for the back of the bead and left shoulder.
Hays notified John Truitt, superintendent of the river dump, who called officers. Hays and Truitt, together with Vernon Lamb, a special officer, and Harold Beaham, 1203 East Fifth street, went out in a boat and drew the body to shore. No inquest was held.
Mr. Downs was born Aug. 31, 1899, in Canton, Mo. He married Gertrude Worley Nov. 28, 1936, at Moline, Ill. He was a button worker, being employed at the Schmarje factory.
Surviving are the widow; one stepson, George, at home; and a brother, Presley William Downs of Muscatine. His parents, Jesse O. and Annie Giltnity Downs preceded him in death.

The Muscatine Journal and News Tribune
Tuesday, 12 September 1939, page 10