Samuel A. Work d.1897

WORK

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 12/1/2001 at 11:21:30

DROWNED.

A Fatal Accident Befalls a
Fishing Party at Bonaparte.

FELL OFF ABUTMENT.

Unfortunate man a Prominent Farmer
Of Near Birmingham.

A shadow was thrown over our town at an early hour Tuesday morning by the report that a fisherman had been drowned in the river near the north end of Meek dam. The particulars of the fatal accident, as nearly as could be learned, are as follows: On Monday a party of farmers of near Birmingham journeyed to our city in a spring wagon, for the purpose of spending a few days in the pleasant recreation of fishing. The party consisted of Samuel A. Work, John McDowell and the latter's son, Perry McDowell. They arrived here Monday evening and at once went into camp, and, during the night, began fishing. At about 4 o'clock Tuesday morning Mr. McDowell left this side of the river, where they had been running their nets, to go over to the camp. He left his son, a young many 18 years of age, and Mr. Work to operate the nets during his absence. Shortly after the elder McDowell went over to the camp his son saw Mr. Work lying upon the edge of the lower crib near the dam and lock walls. He supposed that he was merely stretching himself out for a little rest and thought nothing of his dangerous position till, in a moment, he saw him roll into the river and disappear beneath the turbulent back current that was rushing towards the bottom of the dam. Not being a swimmer, the young man called loudly for help, and pending the arrival of anybody else, took a pole and endeavored to find his companion and raise him up to the surface. Night watchman Baber, H. Stewart and Sam Brown soon arrived and at once suggested sending some good swimmers and divers. Harry Zelgenfus, Chas. Pender, "Boone" Kerr, John and Walter Hogan, J. B. and W. B. Welch, Sam Gardner, Hary Meek and Harry Davis responded as soon as they could get out of bed and reach the river, and were soon diving in the water near the dam to find the body. After about an hour's search, J. B. Welch succeeded in finding the body about 15 feet below the dam and about 35 feet out from the north end of it.

It is not out of place to say at this time that all of these young gentlemen are justly entitled to much praise for the noble efforts they exerted in their search for the unfortunate man. The river at that exact spot, it will be remembered, is a dangerous place in which to swim and dive; and, diving for the body of a drowned man is a task so gruesome that few could be induced to take part in it, but our boys did not, in any wise, shrink from the sad duty.

The body was taken ashore and laid upon the lock walls, and the county coroner, Dr. Ed. McCue, of Vernon, was at once telephoned for. He arrived at eight o'clock and caused the body to be removed to the undertaking establishment of G. A. Demple. A coroner's jury had previously been empanelled by Squire Henry and Constable Hogan, and the coroner at once proceeded to hold an inquest at the office of the former. C. M. Baber, Robert Wilson and Wm. Cornell composed the jury. After hearing all the accessory evidence, they returned the following verdict: "We , the jury, find that the deceased S. A. Work, came to his death by accidental drowning in the Des Moines river at Bonaparte, Iowa, June 15, 1897."

The drowned man was a bachelor, aged 49 years, was a well-to-do farmer of near Birmingham and was held in high esteem by all his friends and acquaintances. He had a father and two brothers living at Birmingham, and was a cousin of Attorney Work, of Ottumwa.

The relatives at Birmingham were notified, and two brothers of the deceased accompanied by George Alton, the Birmingham undertaker, arrived here at noon and took the body to Birmingham where interment will take place.

Source: Entler Scrapbook, vol. 2, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA

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I am not related to this individual but post this obit. for those who may find it of interest.