HERKES, James A. (1929-1946)

HERKES

Posted By: Karon Velau (email)
Date: 6/22/2020 at 12:58:38

James Allan Herkes
(1929 – 1946)

Boy Drowns In Ahquabi Lake Sunday Night
James Herkes, 16, who lived at 1904 York St., Des Moines, drowned in Lake Ahquabi Sunday night at about 8 o’clock while swimming outside the supervised area with a friend, Walter McManus. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. James Herkes Sr., a brother Billy, 13, and a sister Velma Jean, 10. The body was recovered at 9 o’clock by three life guards, Walter LaFollette, Richard McBride, and Bob Norris, who dragged the bottom of the lake where he sank. Also assisting was Al Bell, W.H.O. announcer of Des Moines, W. E. Myers, park custodian, supervised the work. While the parents of the two boys looked on, efforts to resuscitate the boy were made. These failing, the body was taken to Des Moines in an ambulance.
Go For Boat Ride
Young Herkes and his friend, McManus, 18, also of Des Moines, took off in a boat shortly after eating their supper. Clad in their bathing suits they started out for a boat ride which took them to a point 60 rods south and outside of the supervised area. Here they anchored their boat. When arriving at the spot mentioned, young Herkes told his friend that they might as well dive in from the boat. He dove in and when he came up he told McManus that the water down there was very cold. He jumped back into the boat. Both boys then poised and dove into the water. McManus returned to the boat. He expected Herkes to follow him.
Attempts Rescue
Waiting a moment, McManus became alarmed and dove in to rescue his young friend. Failing to find him, he gave the alarm. Within a few minutes the life guards and Mr. Myers arrived on the spot and began dragging the lake bottom with grappling hooks. After 50 minutes they brought the body to the surface. Artificial respiration was attempted. It is believed that the boy suffered cramps in the cold water. This frequently happens after swimming following a heavy meal an hour or more after eating.
Second Drowning
The two boys disregarded two signs which read: “Swimming prohibited except in supervised swimming area.” The area is roped off. This is the second drowning at Ahquabi. The first was on Decoration day in 1944. Two boys were members of a party given in honor of McManus who was leaving soon for the service. Besides young Herkes’ folks, the parents of McManus, Mr. and Mrs. Walter McManus Sr., 2711 Grand Ave. were members of the picnic party. There were 19 in the group. Earlier in the afternoon, Herkes had been diving and swimming in the swimming area and remarks were made by spectators as to what an expert he was in the water. [Copied from a scrapbook at the Warren County Historical Society Library, Indianola, Iowa]