SIOUX COUNTY

The Hawarden Independent, May 18, 1916 – full front page spread

 

TERRIBLE TRAGEDY
Three High School Girls Meet Sad Fate When Boat is Carried Over the Mill Dam.

Picnic on the Big Sioux River Has Sad Ending When Margery Fairbrother, Neva Johnson and Edna Boorman Lose Their Lives.—Three Others in Boat Saved.

[Second Column of the front page of the newspaper published photographs of the Sioux River & of individual pictures of the young women]

The most lamentable tragedy in the history of this city was enacted about seven-thirty last Thursday evening when a boat occupied by one teacher and five girl high school students was swept over Ensign's mill dam and the lives of three, Edna Boorman, Margery Fairbrother and Neva Johnson, were swept into eternity in the swirling waters below the dam. Alma McGloghlon and Benita Sidwell jumped from the boat just as it struck the dam and were saved from a similar fate, while Miss Elizabeth McCartney, A music teacher in the public schools, managed to cling to the boat and was saved as by a miracle.

The day was one of those rarest ones of Spring when all nature beckons for a frolic out of doors and little wonder is aroused that a suggestion of a girls’ picnic should fall upon many but anxious and willing ears—and what more natural place for such a lark than a cozy spot along the river? 

The start was made in the early evening and teachers and pupils to the number of about twenty7-five gathered on the bank of the river where they were to transport themselves in boats to the picnic grounds, a short distance up and across the river. 

John Conrad, that faithful old servitor, was on hand to see that the boats were properly loaded and launched.  The start was made.  One boat, followed closely by a second and a third, were safely started upon their journey when those who remained seated themselves in the fourth and last boat.  They had barely gotten under way, however, before they began to experience trouble in handling the boat and it commenced to drift with the stream. 

Shouted instructions from shore only seemed to confuse the girls handling the oars, and although they kept the boat headed properly up-stream they seemed unable to make headway but rather drifted with the current. The distance above the dam where the boats are started is scarcely two hundred feet but the practice of starting the boats there has never seemed dangerous.

In this instance, however, the boat’s progress toward the dam was quite rapid, and in their frantic efforts to prevent a catastrophe the girls at the oars may have lost their heads and accentuated the boat’s progress rather than checked it. 

Just as the boat struck the dame two of the girls, Alma McCloghlon and Benita Sidwell, who were in the bow of the boat, jumped into the river.  They probably would have drowned but for the timely action of John Conrad, who by this time was making his way onto the dam and he plunged into the water after them and succeeded in pulling both to safety up onto the dam.

Meanwhile, the boat had swung quickly around and struck the dam sidewise, where it simply rolled over the top of the dame, precipitating the four girls into that seething, foaming, whirling maelstrom at the foot of the waterfall. 

No pen can picture nor tongue describe he horror of that incident.  The girls were at the utter mercy of roaring, tumbling waters and there was slight chance that their frail strength could withstand such a severe trial.

There were a few eyewitnesses to the accident, who were first attracted to the impending disaster by the cries of the terror stricken girls.  Gust N. Anderson, was working with his motor boat a short distance above the dam, hastened to the scene with all speed.  Jesse Vearrier and George Van Sickle were in a boat fishing some distance below the dam and bent every muscle to reach the struggling girls in time to be of assistance.  Not one of them hesitated for an instant to plunge into the icy water in an attempt to rescue the drowning girls.  Miss McCartney was reached first while she was still clinging to the submerged boat and she was saved, although her strength was spent and she was in a state of almost utter exhaustion.  The others had all disappeared beneath the surface of the water. 

The body of Edna Boorman was the first to be recovered, and she could not have been in the water to exceed five minutes.  Meanwhile the sad news of accident had spread like wild-fire.  Automobiles loaded with doctors, nurses and others rushed to the river to assist in the work of rescue and be whatever assistance possible.

Russell Metcalf was in one of the first cars to reach the river and he immediately plunged into the water to assist in the search for the bodies.  He was without any definite knowledge of the precise scene of the accident but when he had proceeded but a very short distance, by the merest chance, happened onto the body of Neva Johnson just a moment after the body of Margery Fairbrother had been brought to the surface by Samuel Strong and Geo. Vearrier. 

Several others were also willingly assisting in the search but considering the swiftness of the current, it is really nothing short of marvelous that the bodies were all recovered in so short a space of time.  Opinions vary somewhat but it is quite generally accepted that none of the girls were in the water to exceed twenty minutes.

The attempt at resuscitation was commenced as soon as the bodies were brought to shore.  Doctors were there, all ready and anxious to lend their skill in the work in the hope that a spark of life might yet be burning in the hearts of their neighbors’ children.  Strong men and women with willing hands stood by to assist in the work.  Robes and blankets from automobiles and nearby houses were requisitioned, hot water bags and other accessories quickly made their appearance and the work of attempting to restore respiration went on unabated. 

Meanwhile the parents of the girls had been apprised of the accident and hurried to the river bank, and hundreds of people gathered there to learn of the accident, and when they heard and saw, to join in the prayers of those near and dear ones that there three lives might be spared.

And while the crowd watched and prayed, those working over the prostrate forms of the girls kept silently on with their work, minute after minute, hour after hour, striving for that end which was to be denied.  When it was finally determined that further efforts at resuscitation were futile, the bodies were lifted tenderly into automobiles and sorrowfully conveyed to the homes which these girls had left in such joyous moods only a few short hours before. 

And many a bitter tear was shed that night, tears of sympathy for the grief stricken parents whose daughters had been thus ruthlessly torn from them.

Sunday was the day set for the funeral and it had been planned to hold the services for the three girls jointly upon the lawn at the J. A. Johnson home. The storm which had its beginning Friday night, however, seemed only to have reached its crest when Sunday dawned and it was found necessary to change the plans and hold the services in the Presbyterian church.

Long before the hours set for the funeral people began to flock toward the church, little heeding the downpour which kept up incessantly.  The church was filled with the exception of the space reserved for the stricken families, before the funeral procession arrived and scores of people stood outside in anticipation of an opportunity to secure standing room after the funeral party had entered. 
Starting from the Fairbrother home, the procession wended its way past the Johnson home where it was augmented by the automobiles waiting there, and then down to the church past the home of Mrs. Boorman where it was joined by those who were waiting there.

Six boys, members of the Junior and Senior classes of the high school, had been taken to each of the three homes to act as pall bearers, while an equal number of young lady members of the two classes were honorary pall bearers. 

The church had been profusely decorated with lilacs and their fragrance permeated the building, while the wonderful offerings of cut flowers, which had been sent by friends far and near, reposed upon and around the caskets and were most beautiful to behold. Four ministers participated in the services. Rev. Edward M. Jeffers of Ottumwa, who had been supplying at the Baptist church, read from the Scriptures, Rev. A. M. Mclntosh offered prayer, while Rev. A. F. Eldridge and Rev. C. H. Young spoke words of comfort and helpfulness to those whose aching hearts were harrowed by an inexpressible grief.

They dwelt upon the beauties of life eternal and the wondrous comfort in the knowledge that “He doeth all things well.”  Music for the services was rendered by a choir composed of Mesdames W. F. Wolf, W. S. Weaver, Russell Younie, Misses Lelah Fraser, Lila Harter, Ruth Vail, Anna Smith, Carye Smith, and Lucy Ashley, and Messrs. Frank Hamerley, W. S. Weaver, A. L. Bennett, Willis Lake, Chas. Schoeneman and Oscar Smith.

Following the services at the church, the triple funeral procession was again formed and the remains of these three girls conveyed to Grace Hill cemetery where the caskets one after another were lowered into the graves with fitting ceremonies. 

This direful calamity, which in the twinkling of an eye removed from our midst three of our best loved and most highly cherished maidens—girls in the fullness of the enjoyment of youth just blossoming into young womanhood—has enshrouded every home in the community in a pallor of gloom.  It is a community of loss and one in which every citizen feels a vital share.  While kindly ministrations may help to assuage the grief of those whose family ties have been so suddenly broken, no one by word or deed can efface the memory of the cherished love, hopes and ambitions of these parents for their daughters, which have been thus woefully shattered. 

The passing of these girls will never be forgotten by those who have been associated with them in life.  Especially is the shock severed to their school mates who have known them so intimately in their daily work together. 

The funeral Sunday will ever remain impressed upon the memory of our citizens.  As though symbolizing the grief of the community, the overcast skies seemed to join in the general expression of sorrow.  And Sunday was Mothers Day—that day in each year when we strive to do homage to the woman who has watched over each of us, tenderly cared and guided our footsteps in youth and none the less ceased her watchful care in our mature years.  Mothers Day—and not a heart but that yearned to reach out and whisper words of comfort to those mothers whose cup of grief seemed more than they could bear.

God’s plans outrun ours.  As the heavens are higher that the earth, so are His ways higher than our ways and His thoughts than our thoughts.  It is not ours to know why He calls away from earth those in the first bloom of youth, but it is ours to believe that His purposes are good and work for all a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
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Margery Pearl Fairbrother was the youngest of Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fairbrother. She was born at Ashton, Iowa Aug 16, 1900 and therefore had not quite attained her sixteenth year. In March 1910 she moved with her parents to Hawarden and thus grew from child hood to young womanhood in this city. She was a member of the Junior class of the Hawarden High School. In 1912 she united with the Methodist Episcopal church and her influence for good upon the young people of the church would be hard to estimate. At the time of the accident which closed her earthly life, she was a member of the choir, assistant Sunday school teacher and secretary of the Epworth League. She was always ready and willing to give herself in any way she could to service for the church. In her quiet, retiring way, she was a splendid type of young Christian life. Of the immediate members of her family, besides her parents she is survived by four sisters. Mrs. Jos. Townsend of Ashton IA, Mrs. J. Gus Anderson of this city. Relatives and friends from a distance who were here for the funeral were as follows.
Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Townsend of Ashton, Miss Mabel Gray of Minneapolis, Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Perry of Sheldon, Mrs. Will Fairbrother of Melvin, Mrs. Sam Boyce and Mrs. Chas. Boyce of Hartley, Mrs. Chas, Coleman, Mrs. Blanche Brown and Miss Elsie Gray of Sioux city and Miss Jessie Barnes of Cedar Falls.
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Neva Beatrice Johnson was born in this city Jun 8, 1899, and would have reached her seventeen birthday next month. She was the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. John A. Johnson pioneer resident s of this city, and her entire life was spent here. She entered the public school as a kindergartner and would have graduated with her class at the end of the present school year. Plans had been made for her entrance in college the coming fall where she no doubt would have attained distinction as she was rated as an exceptional scholar.
Her tragic death removed from the home a loving and dutiful daughter, the pride and joy of her fond parents. Her loss in the home is also deeply mourned by her younger brother, York Johnson whose manly courage in this great trial is most pathetic. Relatives and friends from away who ere here for the funeral were L. H. Martin and daughter, Mrs. H. Evans of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. A. P. Johnson and two sons of Akron; Mr. and Mrs. Ed. Olson of Big Springs; Miss Lena Jenson of Sioux City; Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Jenson, Mr. and Mrs. Sol. Esarey and Mr. and Mrs. Bert Wing of Ireton; and Mrs. H. P. White of Sioux City.

* * *

Edna L. Boorman was the only child of Mrs. Anna Boorman, who has been a resident of Hawarden since girlhood. Edna was born in this city Sept 3, 1898 and had therefore passed her seventeenth birthday. Her father, Fred Boorman, died when she was but seven years of age and since that time her comfort and happiness in life has been the one consuming desire and ambition of her mother. Edna’s well being was her mother’s hourly thought and in turn no child was ever more mindful or appreciative of the loving care bestowed upon her. Her untimely death seems doubly sad as it robs the mother of her sole ambition in life, and leaves a future which must seem dark indeed.

Edna was a member of the senior class in high school and like her classmate, Neva entered the public schools here as a kindergartner just a few short years ago. She was a happy child, forever radiating a spirit of cheerfulness to those about her, and her passing leaves in its wake a trail of sweetest memories. Relatives and friends who came because of her death were her cousin, Leon Foster of Chicago; Mr. and Mrs. Jos. Holman, Mrs. Vesta Baker and Mrs. B. F. Durkee of Eagle Grove; Mrs. Paul Braden of Huron; and Mrs. I. A.Turner of Eldora.
* * *
Miss Elizabeth McCartney, who so miraculously escaped death in the accident, was taken to Sioux City the following day where she is being cared for at the home of her uncle.  She was badly bruised by coming in contact with the boat as it was whirled around in the eddy below the dam, and the mental shock and exposure made her condition quite serious although not dangerous.  Her uncle, W. S. Gillin of Doon, died in a Sioux City hospital Monday, and it was in order that she might see him alive that she was hurried away from Hawarden so soon following the accident. 

Alma McGloghlon and Benita Sidwell, the two girls who were saved after they jumped from the boat above the dam, suffered no serious injuries aside from the exposure and mental shock incident to their terrible experience.
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CARD OF THANKS.
We wish to express our heartfelt thanks to the people of this community for their many acts of kindness toward us during the dark hour of our bereavement.

We feel deeply grateful to those who labored so faithfully at the river after the accident; those who had charge of the services at the church and cemetery; the singers; and those who stood out in the pouring rain clearing the crossings and aiding in every way they could; also the ladies who did so much to lighten the burdens at the homes.
Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Fairbrother and Family  
Mrs. Anna Boorman  
Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Johnson and York.