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Surnames: Dove, Walls
Classification: Query
Message Board URL:
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/zh.2ADE/3040
Message Board Post:
The Washington Daily Times Monday, Aug 6, 1956 issue
Date of death was Aug 5, 1956
Elnora Boy Drowns in Epsom Strip Mine Pit
Two Swimming Companions Attempt To Save 16 Year-Old Richard Dove.
Another abandoned strip-mine it in Daviess County claimed a victim by drowning late
yesterday afternoon about 5 o'clock when Richard R. Dove, 16 Elnora lost his life in
the Sherwood pit, about 2 1/2 miles west of Epsom. His body was recovered from 45 feet of
water early this morning about 3:35 o'clock. The tragedy was reported by two swimming
companions of Dove, John Elkin and Robert Porter, both 14 year old Elnora boys. The trio
had driven to the pit to go swimming about 4:45 p.m. Sunday. After Dove dived into the icy
water, the other two boys saw he was in trouble and attempted to help him. They were
unable to bring him ashore and Porter then rushed to the car and drove two miles to the
nearest phone and called for help. Deputy Sheriff Ralph Morgan, state police and the V. L.
Poindexter ambulance hurried to the spot. Before the body was found, the Northern Knox
County Rescue Unit with its up to date equipment and portable lighting service was on
hand, as well as a 12 man M!
arine crew from Crane. Indiana State Police launched a boat about 8 p.m. at the same time
Sheriff Jim McCullough arrived with his personal boat. Seven and a half hours of
continuous dragging was performed by men in four boats before recovery of young Dove's
body. The boat that finally frought the deceased to the surface belonged to the Daviess
County Sheriff and was manned by McCullough, Deputy Sheriff Morgan, Frank Winterbottom,
deputy conservation officier from here and Gene Hastings a Daviess County farmer. After
the news of the tragic affair was known literally hundreds of persons drove to the scene
and many assisted in the underwater search and many more volunteered their services. In
order to float the rescue boats several corn rows on Ray Simmon's farm was destroyed
with the approval of the owner. Richard R. Dove was born in Elnora January 23, 1940 the
son of Paul E. and Delphia L. Walls Dove. He had lived in Epsom for a year and then moved
back to Elnora. He would h!
ave been a junior in the Epsom High School this fall and was a member
of the Elnora Methodist Church. Survivors besides the parents are two sisters Alice
Darlene and Nina Lee both at home. Grandparents are Mr and Mrs Richard A. Dove of Elnora,
and Mr and Mrs Louis R Walls, also of Elnora. Funeral srevices will be held Wednesday at
10 a.m. at the Elnora Methodist Church, with burial in the Fairview Cemetery. Rev. H. R.
Burton will officiate. Friends may call at the Ives Poindexter Funeral Home, in Sandborn
after 6 p.m. today. The body will be taken to the church Wednesday at 9 a.m. where it will
be in state until time of service.