Clark, Laura May 1878 - 1922

CLARK, NYGARD, JOHNSON, HEASLEY

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 1/8/2012 at 14:30:23

MRS. E. W. CLARK LOSES LIFE WHILE BATHING

Relative Who Attempts Rescue is Nearly Victim—Help Arrives on the Scene too Late.

Nothing has ever stirred this community to more profound sorrow than the accidental death by drowning of Mrs. Eugene W. Clark, of this city, which took place at about 4 o'clock, Tuesday afternoon, July 18, 1922, in the Big Sioux river at a point due west of the new pavilion at Neary's Park, one and a half miles southwest of here. In company with a party of relatives and of friends, which included her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Harold Reuterfeldt, of Jamestown, N. D., she went in bathing there. They had been in the water for some time and having great fun, and had about decided to come out when Mr. Reuterfeldt swam to the opposite shore, where he could dive off. Mrs. Clark had started to follow him and when nearly across and at a point g where the water is deepest and the current strongest, she appeared to become suddenly exhausted or in distress and called for help. Her nephew at once went to her rescue and got hold of her, but Mrs. Clark secured a grip on his neck with both hands and. pulled him under with her. Mr. Reuterfeldt managed to break her hold and came to the surface to breathe, losing his hold on her, and she disappeared from sight in the twelve or fourteen feet of water at that particular place. None of the other bathers could swim, but a member of the bathing party, Mrs. A. H J. Wallin, ran back upon the shore and called for help.

Father E. F. Casey and Willard Keane, of this city, and Father Ryan, of Sioux City, who were playing golf nearby, responded to the call and at once went into the water and started to search for Mrs. Clark, but without success. Many others soon joined in the search after the alarm was sent out, and diving, the use of a long seine and dragging the river bed were carried on until just before dark, when the body was located by George Von Hagel, who was searching around a tree that had fallen into the river about a half mile below the point where the drowning occurred four and one-half hours before. The body was brought to Klauer Bros. undertaking parlors, where Dr. J. H. Kerr determined that life was extinct and nothing could be done toward resuscitation.

At 10 o'clock Wednesday morning County Coroner A. B. Barnett, of Merrill, held an inquest at Klaurer Bros. store and took the evidence of several witnesses to the tragedy. The jury, composed of E. M. Replogle, L. A. Beckman and W. F. Swan, returned a verdict of accidental death by drowning while in bathing.

Laura May Heasley was in Plymouth County, Iowa, May 12, 1878, and died at the age of 44 years, 2 months and 6 days. Her parents were John and Julia Heasley, and they were among the early residents of this section. At the age of nineteen years she was united in marriage with Peter Nygard, and one daughter was born to them. Mr. Nygard passed away a few years later. Her second marriage was to Oscar C. Johnson, who died in 1915. In September 1916 she was united in marriage with Eugene W. Clark and to them was born one daughter Dorreen. Mrs. Clark became a member of the Christian Church, of this city, May 12, 1911. Of a. genial and generous nature, she made many friends and in spite of the shadows that entered her life, found much to live for and was never happier than when dispensing happiness to others. She was strongly devoted to her home and family and a helpful and sympathizing friend and neighbor who will be widely missed and mourned.

Besides the bereave husband and two daughters, Mrs. Bert Crow and Dorreen Clark, she is survived by four step-children, Mrs. Cam Smith and Herbert Clark, of Chicago, and Harold and Melvin Clark of this city; also by four brothers and four sisters – Wilson Heasley, of Union County, S.D.’ John and Curt Heasley, of Jamestown, N.D.; Henry Heasley, of Ree Heights, S. D.; Mrs. Gib. Payne, of Hawarden, Iowa; -Mrs. Nic Dix, of Ashland, Ore.; Mrs. Frank Bridge, of Rapid City, S. D., and Mrs. Adam Scott, of Letcher, S. D. In the sad and untimely death of Mrs. Clark, these relatives have the deepest sympathy of this community.

Funeral services were held this (Thursday) afternoon at 2 o'clock in the Christian church, conducted by her pastor, Rev. C. V. Allison. There was a very large attendance of sympathizing friends and a wealth of floral tributes. Interment was in Riverside Cemetery.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Reuterfeldt, who came Tuesday from Jamestown, N. D., were accompanied by her mother, Mrs. Adam Scott, who is a sister of Mrs. Clark. They arrived at the Clark home just a short time before the party was ready to go to the bathing place and were invited to accompany them there. Other relatives who came to attend the funeral today were Mrs. Cam Smith and Herbert Clark, of Chicago.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, July 20, 1922
Akron, Iowa