Iowa
Old Press
Manchester Press
Union Township, Delaware County, Iowa
July 28, 1876
TERRIBLE ACCIDENT AT HOPKINTON
On Thursday evening of last week, a terrible accident ocurred
here, the particulars of which are as follows: About eight
o'clock Geo. Hyler and six others started to take a boat ride, a
short distance above the dam. The current was swifter than they
supposed, and they had no sooner started from the bank than they
were rapidly carried down stream. All efforts to turn the boat
from its course were fruitless. In a moment it was dashed over
the dam, with all on board, into the foaming torrent below. The
boat was dashed into a thousand splinters. Geo. Hyler, Miss Lula
Lathrop and Miss Metcalf [Loduska Metcalf*] floated down the
river, and were saved by striking the bank, several rods below.
The other four met instant death. Their names are Mrs. Thomas
West and child, her sister, Miss Anna Billings, and Miss Hyler,
sister to the gentleman saved. The alarm was given and a large
number soon gathered. Fruitless search was kept up during the
night; Friday hundreds from town and surrounding country,
gathered to the scene of death. Careful search was made for the
bodies in every contrivable manner. The body of the child was
found entangled in brush some distance down stream, and shortly
after Miss Billings was found fastened among logs close to the
dam. Search for the others was continued all day Saturday, but to
no effect.
Sunday an immense crowd gathered from the country and towns
around. The river was dragged at every point, and a solid breach
of men, held to their place by ropes supported by the crowd on
each bank, marched two miles down stream. Some persons ahead
discovered the body of Miss Hyler, entangled in lodged driftwood
about a mile from the dam. The body was terribly bruised and
discolored. Up to this time Mrs. West's body has not been found.
Her husband is in a deplorable condition. They were but recently
married, and it is a hard stroke to have his dear ones thus taken
away. He is continually walking up and down the banks, gazing
with fixed eye into the water. The two bodies found Friday were
interred Saturday at Buck Creek [Cemetery]; and the one found
yesterday was buried here, in the afternoon. Further search is
continued for the body still missing. The people are heroic in
their efforts for recovery. The accident has spread a deep gloom
over the enter community."
[*Transcriber notes: Loduska Metcalf, daughter of Warren and
Rachel (Fuller) Metcalf. had read the week previously how to save
oneself from drowning. It was at this time my Metcalf / Fuller /
Billings relatives moved to Plymouth County, Iowa, perhaps
because of the shadow of death where they were living.
Transcribed by M.K.S., July 2009]