Harley Ware Drowned - 1909

WARE, MCKIERNAN, LOCK

Posted By: Volunteer - Rich Lowe
Date: 6/24/2014 at 07:59:58

Harley Ware Drowned.

The city of Farmington is in mourning today for Harley Ware, and exemplary young business man, who lost his life while swimming with his companions in the Des Moines river last night after the Chautauqua program. Like an electric shock this news flashed over the town shortly after eleven o’clock and within a quarter of an hour one hundred citizens were at the scene to proffer assistance in the recovery of the body. A wire fence was built across the river near the Gray farm and men worked all night long. At 8 o’clock the news was carried to the anxious mother, brothers and sisters that the body had been recovered about 600 feet from the pier in shallow water.

It is believed a cramp of the heart seized him and snuffed out this young life for the body was found in a swimming position. He attended the chautauqua program at the park last p.m. and about 10 o’clock with his companions, the Rev. J. H. Krenmyre, Ed.? Hartrick, John Wright, Roy Gray, Ben Marmion and Harry Beeeson, went down to the river to take a cold plunge. Krenmyre was ahead and called to Harley they were going to shore and in a few seconds he disappeared and his lifeless body and a cherished memory are all that was left to comfort the relatives and friends. Harley Ware was born north of Bonaparte, November 2, 1885, and was therefore 23 years, 9 months and 9 days old. He came with the family to Farmington in April, 1901, and was employed for a number of years in his brother’s furniture establishment. In 1906 he accepted a position in Kewane, Ill., with the Western Tube Manufacturing company and remained in their employ one year. He returned to Farmington and January 1, 1907, resumed work in the Ware furniture store where he was employed at the time of his death.

He was a genial, jolly young fellow, popular among the young people, and his untimely death is mourned by the entire community. His death throws a sad gloom over the chautauqua in which he has been one of the earnest workers for the success of the fifth assembly.

Besides his mother, Mrs. Alpha Ware, three brothers, Edward R., and Clark M., of Koho, Oregon; Phil. K., city; and three sisters, Mrs. Roscoe McKiernan, of Kewanee, Ill.; Mrs. Frank Lock and Miss Alpha, survive.

Funeral services were held at 10 a.m., Saturday, August 14th, conducted by the Rev. James MKiernan and Rev. J. C. Shipp. — Farmington Herald

[Note: handwritten on article “8-11-09”]

Source: Entler Scrapbook Collection, vol 5, Iowa Historical Library, Iowa City, IA