Curtis B. Gage Meets Death By Drowning

Again we are brought face to face with the uncertainty of life and the celerity with which the death angel snatches his victims from our midst, when we are called upon to chronicle the sad accident that befell Curtis B. Gage on Monday afternoon, in a pond on the William Grimes stock farm, 4 1/2 miles northeast of here. Young Gage, in company with two friends, Truman Spannagel and Aleck (Dick) Wilson, started for the pond after dinner, in Spannagel's rig, reaching there about 3 o'clock. Shortly after arriving they prepared for the plunge, Curtis making the remark that he intended to swim to a raft some thirty feet out in the water. When about five feet from the raft, his strength seemingly failed him and he called for help. Young Spannagel immediately attempted to reach him, calling to Wilson to come in also; but as Dick could not swim the task rested with Truman, who started out with a board which the imperilled boy grabbed, but in some way let go his hold. Young Spannagel then made an attempt to reach him by swimming to the raft and in passing near the unfortunate boy, the latter caught Truman by the leg. Truman knowing the danger of a drowning man's hold, pulled loose and on reaching the raft he endeavored to get to the drowning boy with it, but before he could do so, Curtis had gone down for the third time, in about eight feet of water, not to arise again until found by Ben Zimmerman about thirty minutes after the accident. The boys immediately ran for help and Benjamin Zimmerman, with others who were in the neighborhood, came to the scene of the accident. Zimmermann, who is a good swimmer, started the search and in five minutes found the body about five feet from where the boys thought Curtis went down. The body was then brought to town and the coroner of Christian county communicated with, who gave the undertakers permission to prepare the corpse, with the understanding that it be returned to Christian County the following morning, in order that the coroner's jury might be sworn over the remains. The verdict returned at the inquest was "Death by accidental drowning.

The pond in which this sad accident occurred, is a favorite bathing place for the boys of the neighborhood and from this city and is in places 15 feet deep.

The inquest was held at the home of Supervisor E. N. Barnes in Greenwood township by Coroner Dorman, the following persons acting as jurors: E. N. Barnes, J.R. Busby, B.S. and O.J. Zimmermann, R.B. Dorman and George Strevey. The law provides that the inquest be held in the county in which a person meets death by accident and unthoughtedly the remains were removed across the line in Christian county, to the home of the unfortunate boy's parents in this city by Dr. W. A. Hodges, in his auto. For this offense, Coroner Dorman, of Christian county fined Dr. Hodges $50, but after an explanation remitted the fine.

Curtis Burwell Gage was the youngest son of Mr & Mrs. William M. Gage, of this city and was aged 17 years, 7 months and 4 days. He was born and raised in this city and was a young man well liked by his many friends, evidence of which was amply given Wednesday afternoon by the large number attending the funeral at the Baptist church. Singler's band, the Y.P.B. and the Christian Endeavor societies, of which the deceased was a member and the carpenter's union of which the father of the deceased is secretary, attended in a body. The services were conducted by Rev. Judd of the Baptist church. Interment in Prospect Hill Cemetery.

The deceased leaves besides his heart stricken parents, one brother Elmer, of Pana, one sister, Mrs. Warren Hulbert, residing south of the city limits and many friends to mourn his untimely and sad demise.