Clyde ENNIS

ENNIS, GENTLE, STINER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:56

Clyde Ennis
4 December 1897 ---- 14 August 1913

Clyde Ennis Drowned

Loses Life when, contrary to the Rules, He takes Plunge into Y. M. C. A. Swimming Pool at Waterloo.

Clyde Ennis, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Ennis, formerly of Eagle Grove, dropped off the diving board into the swimming pool at the Y. M. C. A. at Waterloo last Thursday evening and was drowned.

With a companion, 13 years of age Tony Gentle by name, young Ennis was taking a bath at the Y. M. C. A. and Ennis suggested going into the pool. As this was against the rules the younger boy objected. Ennis dropped off the end of the driving board into about seven feet of water and never came to the surface. He had never learned to swim. His companion first thought he was fooling but when after an indefinite time he did not rise to the surface he ran upstairs and spread the alarm. It was almost half an hour after the alarm was given before the body was discovered.

All possible efforts were made to resuscitate the body by use of pulmotor and artificial breathing but to no avail. A short service was held in an undertaking chapel in Waterloo and the remains were brought to Eagle Grove and buried in Rose Hill cemetery, where a sister was buried several years ago. Rev. Wilkinson had charge of the services at the grave. The father of the deceased who had been working near Waterloo had not been located up to the time the funeral party left Waterloo.

The death of Clyde Ennis is an especially sad one. He was born at Cottage Hill, Fla., Dec. 4th., 1897, was the chief support of his mother and sister. At different times he was employed in the EAGLE office and he was a faithful boy at all times, never being afraid of any kind of work. The bereaved relatives have the sympathy of all in their sorrow. The remains were accompanied to Eagle Grove by Mrs. Ennis, Miss Mamie Ennis, Clarence W. Ennis of Omaha, and an L. P. Stiner, Mrs. Ennis' brother from Chicago.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
August 21, 1913

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Sad Drowning of Clyde Ennis

The remains of Clyde Ennis were shipped here on Monday from Waterloo and were laid to rest in Rose Hill cemetery.

Clyde met death by drowning in the Y. M. C. A. swimming pool at Waterloo on Thursday, the 14th, about 6:30 in the evening. The particulars are as follows:

He had taken a shower bath, for which he paid the usual fee of 25c. He then went into the room where the swimming pool is located, the attendant being at supper. A lad of thirteen was with him. Clyde went into the water, jumping from the springboard, but the lad with him did not go into the water. Clyde went down, the water being about seven feet deep, and as he couldn't swim, he was drowned before the lad gave the alarm. He was not a member of the Y. M. C. A. and it was contrary to the rules for any one not a member to go into the pool.

Mr. and Mrs. Ennis were early settlers in Eagle Grove, Mr. Ennis working for Mr. Fitzmaurice in the lumber yard in the early days of the town, later he engaged in the grocery business where C. Christensen's shoe store is now located. Clyde was born at Cottage Hill, Fla., Dec. 4, 1897, the family living there at that time, though they moved back to Eagle Grove soon after this and remained here until a year or so ago when they moved to Omaha, then Mrs. Ennis moved to Waterloo, where Clyde was employed at the printer's trade, and was drawing $14 per week at the time of his death.

Mrs. Ennis, Clarence, Mamie and Burdette, also Mrs. Ennis' brother, L. P. Stiver, of Chicago, accompanied the remains to this place, Rev. A. M. Wilkinson conducted brief services at the grave. The first child born to Mr. and Mrs. Ennis, a little girl, passing away at nine months of age, was buried upon the same lot some 25 or 26 years ago.

Clyde was a bright and active boy and worked at different times in both printing offices of this place. At this time he was the main support of his mother, who was nearly prostrated by the sadden blow, and the family have the warmest sympathy of the community.

THE TIMES GAZETTE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
August 21, 1913

source - Paul Wilde