MUSCATINE COUNTY IOWA REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS BOOK ONE

Source: REGISTER OF OLD SETTLERS , BOOK One, page 209
submitted by Kevan Chown, Sept. 10, 2007

THE SAD DROWNING OF MR. PATTEN.

The Des Moines News gives the following complete particulars of the drowning of Ellsworth C. Patten at DesMoines on Tuesday evening from which it appears that Dr. Hill, formerly of this city, was one of the bathing party. The News says:

In an interview with Mr. Roll Stewart, who was an eye witness to the sad drowning of Mr. Patten, a News reporter gleaned the full particulars of the affair. About 6 o’clock last evening a party consisting of E. C. Patten, M. H. Patten, Fred Stewart, B. R. Wasson, James Gilbert, Dr. S. G. Hill and Roll Stewart hired two boats and went up the river for the purpose of bathing. Striking a sandbar about a mile above the dam, the boys disrobed and Gilbert started in, followed by E. C. Patten and Wasson, the rest bringing up the rear reluctantly, for the water was very cold. Those in advance had gone about 50 or 75 feet from the boats, when Milton Patten cried out: “Help! Help! Brother Ellsworth is drowning.” In the meantime the drowning man had gone under, striving as he did so, to grasp Gilbert; but Gilbert thinking he was sky-larking, threw him off and swam away. Then his brother realizing the true state of affairs tried to save him, but was unable to reach the struggling man and would have drowned had it not been for Dr. Hill and Fred Stewart, who drew him into the boat. Ellsworth, who had gone down twice, arose for the third time and leaped his entire length out of the water, sinking again for the last time. Every effort was made to reach and save him without avail, and the authorities were then notified with the results stated above.

The Des Moines Register speaks as follows of deceased:

Mr. Patten was a member of the firm of Patten & Hill, dealers in lumber, on Sixth and High streets. His parents live in Muscatine where the elder Patten is a heavy lumber dealer, and whence young Patten came about four years ago. He was about twenty-two years old and unmarried. He was a studious, hard working man, with none but good traits, and the best qualities. He was a business man who had won the respect of all by his sterling integrity, and was noted more for his love of business and work than for society. His sudden death will be keenly regretted.

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