Gerald T. MARTIN

MARTIN, LAIDLEY, WISE, ERNST

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:55

Gerald T. Martin
4 January 1908 ---- 18 August 1916

JERALD MARTIN DROWNED AT ALGONA

Lost Life Last Saturday in Watery Gravel Pit at the South Edge of Town

Little Jerald Martin, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Martin of this city, lost his life at Algona last Saturday. The sad drowning occurred at a large gravel pit at the south edge of town. The pit was at the foot of a huge bluff. Gravel had been taken out 'by a steam shovel for grading the road and the water in a portion of the pit was over twenty-five feet deep. Jerald had gone to Algona only the day before to visit in the home of Mrs. Laidley, county recorder, and one of her boys was among the number who were in swimming.

The gravel pit is not near the river. The pit had been allowed to fill with water and it had become a favorite swimming place for all of the boys of the neighborhood, and even for some of the men, and two or three men had just been in swimming and left the place just as the boys went in. A small portion of the pit contained shallow water. Some of the boys noticed little Jerald as he was in trouble but they were all small boys and were unable to offer assistance.

The drowning occurred about ten o'clock in the morning and it was 3:30 when the body was recovered. After dynamiting the pond, with unsuccessful results, a diver made numerous efforts, but was unable to locate the body. Finally a hayrake and rope and tackle were sunk and then dragged across the pond which brought the body to the surface. Several hundred people gathered while the work of rescuing was going on.

The remains were brought to this city on the evening train, and funeral services were held from the Methodist church Monday afternoon. The funeral was largely attended and the floral contributions were elaborate and beautiful.

Jerald was a little over eight and a half years of age. He was a very bright and intelligent child and the afflicted parents are broken-hearted with grief. They have one other child, a baby boy of about three months.

EAGLE GROVE TIMES GAZETTE --- Eagle Grove, Iowa
August 23, 1916

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Obituary

Gerald Martin was born near Bancroft, Iowa, January 4th, 1908. He moved with his parents to Eagle Grove about four years ago and was drowned in a gravel pit near Algona Saturday morning, August 18th.

The funeral services were held at the home and at the Methodist church Monday afternoon and the burial was in Rose Hill cemetery. Rev Van Cleve had charge of the service. Members of Gerald's Sunday school class acted as pall bearers and under Mr. Cunningham's direction performed their duties very impressively. Those attending the funeral from out of the city were Mr. and Mrs. N. C. Wise, Henry Ernst and Theo. Martin of Bellview, Iowa; J. C. Ernst, Bancroft, and Mrs. Agnes Laidley, Algona.

The bereaved parents have the sincere sympathy of the entire city in their great sorrow.

EAGLE GROVE EAGLE -- Eagle Grove, Iowa
August 24, 1916

source - Paul Wilde