Bert Kempkes (1887-1907)

KEMPKES

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 2/23/2017 at 18:00:11

From Nevada Representative January 1, 1908

Broke Through Ice and Drowned.

Mr. Ira Kempkes received news Sunday of the drowning of his brother Bert one of the young men from Pella ho had attended his wedding here five weeks before and he and Mrs. Kempkes left immediately for the place of sorrow. A letter from Mr. Kempkes which is just received given the following particulars of the family:

"Saturday night about 8:30 there was a crowd of boys and girls skating together, when the ice broke and about five went in. All got out in pretty good shape except Bert, and in their excitement they did not miss him until they got up town. Some said they saw him after the accident; but, on going back to the pond, they found his coat still in the office. Then they got a boat and found him on the bottom of the pond. He was in the water fully an hour and a half before they took him out. The doctors say hie did not die of drowning but of the shock of the cold water, which caused his heart to stop beating; and except for this shock he could easily have saved himself, as the water was only about four feet deep where he fell in."

Mr. Kempkes adds that the funeral will be held on Friday and that he and Mrs. Kempkes expect to return to Nevada on Saturday.