This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list.
Author: MargieRoopPearce
Surnames: Bodle, Butcher
Classification: obituary
Message Board URL:
http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.indiana.counties...
Message Board Post:
Decatur Daily Democrat, Adams Co, IN; Thursday, July 5, 1928
DECATUR YOUNG MAN IS DROWNED IN WABASH RIVER
Walter Bodle, D.H.S. Sophmore, Loses Life In Fourth Of July Accident - WOULD-BE RESCUER
ALMOST LOSES LIFE
Walter Bodle, age 16 years, a Decatur High School sophmore, was drowned Wednesday noon,
while swimming in the Wabash River at Markle with his father, Ira Bodle, and Morris
Butcher, also of Decatur. Mr. Butcher, who dived into the water to save the youth, struck
his head on a stone and was pulled from the water in an unconscious condition, but was
revived.
The Bodle and Butcher families had gone to Markle Tuesday evening, for a Fourth of July
outing. they had camped on the banks of the river Tuesday night and he had been fishing
and swimming in the river.
Walter was a good swimmer. The three men were in the water above the dam at Markle. One
of them called to Walter, who was out farther than the other two, to let down and see how
deep the water was at that point. Walter let down and his finger tips still protuded above
the water. He then came up, but apparently lost his balance and fell over sideways,
disappearing from view.
Mr. Butcher remarked to Mr. Bodle that he believed Walter had been swept over the dam,
but Mr. Bodle said he thought the boy had just dived under the water. A few seconds later,
Walter's head was seen above the water at the foot of the dam and he called to his
father to get a fish pole and help him out.
Realising that the young man was in need of help, Mr. Bodle ran to the river bank and
searched for a fish pole, but could not find one. He picked up a small tree that had been
broken off and handed it out to his son. Walter caught hold of the tree, but apparently
was too weak to hold to it and he disappeared from view, again.
"I'm not going to stand here and let Walter drown," remarked Mr. Butcher,
who immediatley dived over the dam. Mr. Butcher did not come up right away, but a short
time later his back was seen proturding above the water at a point nearly 100 feet down
the stream. Some men who were standing on the bank waded into the water and carried him
out. Mr. Butcher was unconsciours and resuseitation was begun. He was revived after
several minutes work. There was a cut on his forehead, indicating that he had struck his
head on a stone when he dived over the dam.
The water at the foot of the dam, was rapid and swirling. All men present were more or
less strangers there and none would venture into the swirling water, especially since two
men had gone down there. More than an hour later, some Markle men, who were acquainted
with the river there, were brought to the scene of the drowning and they succeeded in
locating Walter's body in about four feet of water and bringing it to shore about two
hours after he went down. Efforts were made to revive him, but to no avail.
The young man was afflicted with heart trouble and his father said today that he
believed the boy suffered a heart attack during the excitement. Only recently a physician
examined Walter and told him he would have to be careful on account of his heart being
weak.
Walter Bodle would have been a sophmore in Decatur High School next fall. He was a
member of the high school track team last spring and won second place in the high jump at
the sectional meet held at Fort Wayne. He was well liked among his school mates and by all
who knew him. He was a member of the Baptist Church. The youth was born January 4, 1912.
Surviving are the parents and three brothers, Odes, Raymond and Wayne, at home.
Funeral services will be held at the Baptist Church at 10 o'clock Friday morning,
with the Rev. O. E. Miller, pastor, officiaitng. Burial will be made in the Decatur
Cemetery.
Important Note:
The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply
to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.