Wabash River Gives Up Body of Drowned man
Boat Owner Finds Body Of James William, 50, partially Buried in Mud
The body of James L Williams, 50 years old, was found Thursday morning at the edge of the
Wabash river at a point four miles east or Peru just two weeks to the day from the time he
was drowned when his boat capsized in swift water.
Williams’ body was found a half mile below the point where the boat upset and he was
drowned, while his son Elmer, 27, died of shock and exposure shortly after being rescued.
Boat Owner Finds Body
The body was discovered at 8:45 am by Lester Edgerly, of Wabash county, under unusual
circumstances.
The boat Williams and his son were using when they lost their lives belonged and after the
tragedy was recovered near circus quarters by Bill Godfroy, who lives a mile east of
Peru.
Edgerly went to Godfroy’s home early this morning to get the boat. The outboard motor
that broke loose from the boat and sank in the river following the tragedy belonged to
Williams. Edgerly had brought another motor with him and attached it to the boat for the
trip up the river to his home east of the Miami-Wabash line.
Had Been Under Mud
Edgerly had decided that during the trip he would keep a close watch for the body on the
long chance that he might spot it.
At a point directly back of the Louis (Bun) Cole Farm, Edgerly sighted the body laying in
the mud at the edge of the river.
The head and arms were buried in mud but the body was directly in front of the opening of
a tile ditch, water from which had washed away enough mud that most of the body was
exposed to view.
Edgerly hurried to the Cole home where he phoned Sheriff Robert A Tillett. The Sheriff
Deputy Anderson, officer Chittum and State Officer Bodey hurried to the scene as did
Coroner A S Newell, who was notified at Converse.
Stayed at Bottom
The officers said that after Williams was drowned, the body evidently was carried along
the bottom of the river to the opening of the tile ditch, where currents caused it to stop
and to be buried completely in mud. The lowlands at that time were flooded during the
high waters that occurred a few days after the tragedy and it was estimated that the body
was under more than 20 feet of water at that time.
Officers said the stage of the river became low enough a day or so ago that the mud
carried to that point was gradually washed away and the body became exposed.
Body in Good Condition
Due to the frigid condition of the water, the body was in good condition despite the fact
that it was not discovered until 14 days after the tragedy. Due to being exposed to the
warm air and sun for a day or so, gas had begum to form in the body at the time it was
found, but it was not bloated or disfigured other than some scratches and bruises on the
face.
After being viewed by the coroner and other officers, the body was removed to the Allen
funeral home. Rites had been held there four days after the tragedy for the son, Elmer,
whose remains were interred in Cass county. The son resided in Peru, while the father
formerly lived in Logansport, but had been residing for some time in a cabin along the
river near the scene of the drowning and had gathered mussel shells from the river for
sale to a button factory. The boat upset while they were returning across the river to
the cabin with a load of wood.
Left Logan Year Ago
Mr. Williams left Logansport about a year ago to reside in the cabin along the river east
of here and engage in mussel hunting. A son, Eugene, resided with him there and attended
the Butler township school. Mr. Williams had spent most of his life in Cass county,
living in Logansport and south of there.
Surviving are the widow, Mrs. Jane (Rice) Williams of 1839 East Erie Avenue, Logansport; a
daughter Betty, at home with her mother; six sons, Melvin, Virgil, Eugene, Orville, Paul
and Robert, all of Logansport, and several grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements have not been completed.
PDT 23 March 1939, p1, 2