Homer B. Frank (1897-1919)

FRANK

Posted By: Anne Hermann (email)
Date: 1/19/2009 at 21:57:23

Jackson Sentinel, June 24, 1919.

TREACHEROUS NORTH FORK CLAIMS FIRST VICTIM OF THE SEASON

Homer Frank Drowned While Attempting to Ford Rapidly Rising Stream.
Funeral Held Sunday Afternoon.

The ever treacherous Maquoketa river claimed its first victim of the season from this community Friday afternoon when Homer B. Frank, youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. L. C. Frank, now of Davenport, was drowned in the North Fork near Fulton on the farm of his brother Fred, while attempting to cross the stream which, on account of heavy rains further north, was rising rapidly and was quite deep at the fording point generally used when crossing.

Homer, who was twenty-two years of age, has been residing in Davenport for some time but came up a short time ago to assist his brother in the farm work and it seems that on Friday morning, he with his brother, Fred, left the house for the field to plow corn. This field lies across the river from the house and as they forded the river Homer slipped off the horse he was riding and had it not been for the heroic efforts of Fred and the fact that the latter was an excellent swimmer, Homer would have doubtless been drowned at that time. The stream was considerably swollen and rising rapidly, whereupon Fred advised his brother to return to the house and not try to cross the river, and told him that he (Fred) would be a little late in returning in the evening as he would go a considerable distance downstream to cross where the water was not so deep and swift.

Homer returned to the house, but after eating dinner thought that he could make the crossing and with a hoe started for the field again. This was the last seen of him alive, but evidence showed he had made the attempt to ford the river and had been swept to his death by the swift current being unable to swim.

As soon as the truth was learned word was sent throughout the neighborhood and soon a large crowd of men was searching for the body of the unfortunate young man. Not until the following morning was the search rewarded, however, when Mr. Sutton, who resides in the vicinity decided to go a long distance downstream thinking perhaps the current was sufficiently strong to carry the body a greater distance than thought probable by his fellow searchers, and on a sand bar far below the scene of the drowning Mr. Sutton found the body of the drowned man early Saturday morning.

The deceased was a young man of excellent habits, ambitious and kindhearted, and his tragic death comes as a sad blow to his parents, brothers and sisters, as well as to the many friends of Homer. He was the youngest son in the family of twelve children, ten of whom with the father and mother mourn the untimely death of their loved one. Born November 28th 1897, he spent his boyhood with his parents on the farm near Fulton and after the parents removed to Davenport made his home with them there. He held a good position in Davenport and chose to spend his vacation assisting his brother on the farm at Fulton. Those surviving besides the parents are the following brothers and sisters: William of Bochito, Okla,; Dr. C. S. of Witchita, Kans.,; Dr. A. J. of Oskaloosa; Ben and Dr. E. J. of Kansas City; Mrs. E. W. Jewell of Dyke, Ia.; Mrs. C. M. Green, Baldwin, Ia., Mrs. Estella D. Mundell of Chicago; Mrs. Adolph Libsohn and Miss Helen of Davenport.

The funeral was held from the M. E. church at Fulton Sunday afternoon, Rev. Wilcox of Lyons officiating. Interment was made at Mt. Hope cemetery in this city.