Trautt, Conrad "Connie" Michael 1920-1932

TRAUTT, GLEASON

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 5/10/2017 at 10:09:26

Note: His mother's maiden name was Gleason.

LITTLE BOY DROWNS WHILE SWIMMING IN THE BIG SIOUX PIT

Connie Trautt, aged 12 years only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Trautt, of this city lost his life by drowning in the Big Sioux gravel pit about a mile southwest of town, at 6:45 o’clock Sunday evening.

He, with the other altar boys and choir members of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, had delightfully spent the afternoon at Stone Park, near Sioux City, where Father J. A. Roder entertained them at a picnic, returning home at about 6 o’clock. After some coaxing, he persuaded his father, James Trautt, to accompany him and his cousins, Leo Trautt and James Gleason, Jr., and also Robert Claeys, son of Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Claeys, to the gravel pit to go in bathing for a little while.

The four boys donned their suits and went into the water and were having a good time, when suddenly Connie began struggling and called for help. It happened that Mr. Trautt’s back was turned just at the moment, but he heard his son’s cries and instantly rushed into the water with his clothes on and used every effort to reach his struggling boy. He succeeded in pulling to safety the Claey’s lad, who was also getting beyond his depth in trying to aid Connie. Mr. Trautt continued his attempt to get hold of his son, but was also soon beyond his own depth on the sharp step-off at that point in the bed of the pit. He was then forced to direct his attention to saving himself from drowning, as he is not a proficient swimmer, and it was only by a superhuman effort that he succeeded in again reaching shore. By that time Connie had disappeared from view.

There being no boat or other facility at hand for possible rescue. Mr. Trautt hastened to town for help. Within a very short time several experienced swimmers were on the scene and began diving for the boy, but could not stay down long enough to locate him as the water was nearly ice cold at a depth.

A weighted fish seine was next brought into use, being carried out on an old, leaky, flat-bottomed barge, but this also proved unsuccessful, as did the use of a hay rake, which was drugged across the bottom of the pit. Finally someone brought some fish poles and rigged some fish-hooks on the ends, and these were used for probing also the bottom by men in two boats, which had been hauled to the scene. After about fifteen minutes search, Grant Barr bought the lad’s body to the surface at about 9:15 o’clock. After being brought to shore, the boy was worked over by Dr. Geo, Mattison and several other men I turn for more than an hour, using artificial respiration. But it was finally decided to be useless to continue the effort. The body had been in the water two and a half hours. The water was about eighteen feet deep at that point and it was said by the divers to be nearly ice cold. The body was taken to Klauer Bros. undertaking parlors.

This was the first time the boys had been in bathing this season, and Mr. Trautt had repeatedly warned them not to get to farm from shore, as he well knew there was a sharp step-off into deep water not farm out. Connie could swim a little, but became frightened as soon as he stepped into water over his head and began struggling to regain his footing. None of his companions in the water were experienced swimmers nor big enough to give him the necessary assistance.

During the warm months last summer an authorize life guard was on daily duty at the Big Sioux gravel pit and scores of local adults and children enjoyed the bathing there, but a guard has not yet been employed for the season.

Several hundred people gathered at the scene of the drowning.

Conrad Michael Trautt was born in Akron, Iowa, May 5, 1920, and attained the age of 12 years and 17 days. He attended St. Joseph’s parochial school and was just completing his Seventh grade work. He had served as an altar boy for five years and was a member of the Children’s choir of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church. Connie was a bright, active and lovable lad, a model pupil in school and a general favorite among his schoolmates and companions. His sad and tragic taking away came as a stunning blow to all who knew him, and especially to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Trautt, and three sisters, Marie, Gertrude and Dorothy, and other near relatives, who have the profound sympathy of this community in their sudden bereavement.

Funeral services held in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Tuesday morning at 9 o’clock, were conducted by Rev. Father J. A. Roder, and were attended by a large concourse of sympathizing friends. As a special mark of respect, Father Roder the Sisters and schoolmates of St. Joseph’s school formed a procession and escorted the remains from the home to the church. Great consolation was found by the family in the wonderful sermon by Father Roder, who also carried out the full ritual of the Catholic church. The Alta boys, dressed I altar clothes acted as pallbearers, as follows; Roger Lamoureux, Raymond Gibbons, Robert Claeys, Raymond Thomas, Peter Blum, and Freddie Richters. Interment was in the Catholic cemetery.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, May 26, 1932
Akron, Iowa