Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2024 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== The Hillsdale Standard Tuesday, 12 July 1859 Sad Casualty at Clear Lake, Ind., on the 4th. 11 LIVES LOST. There was a rumor last evening, of the sinking of a sail boat on Clear Lake yester(day) afternoon, between three and four o'clock, and the loss of about 11 lives. MR. JOHN FARLEY arrived early this morning from the scene of the accident, and brings too true a confirmation of the report. After the ordinary exercises of the celebration had passed off to the satisfaction of all present, a number of persons repaired to the Lake for an excursion ride in a small sail boat. The boat was capable of holding some 18 or 20 persons, but un- fortunately, when she left the shore, had some 26 or 27 on board. She sailed around the lake, and on returning to the shore, when in about 25 feet of water partially capsized and sank to the bottom, causing the death of 11, some seven or eight of whom were citizens of Reading. The following are the names of those drowned from Reading: MRS. WM. TURNER and adopted daughter, about 5 years old; MISS LOUISA TURNER, daughter of NELSON TURNER, aged about 20, who was formerly a student of Hillsdale College; a son of NELSON TURNER, age 9 years; DANFORTH BERRY and wife, and brother, JEFFERSON BERRY. The following were from different parts of this County and Indiana: MR. LYMAN STEEL and Sister in law, MISS LAMPSON of Woodbridge, MR. SIGN, the owner of the boat, was also lost. The names of others, we have not yet learned, but will probably have the full particulars by our next issue. There have been but three bodies recovered up to the latest intelligence - MISS LOUISA TURNER, MRS. WILLIAM TURNER and MRS. DANFORTH BERRY. This sad casualty brings grief to the hearts of numerous friends of the deceased; they were all respected and beloved by a large circle of acquain- tances, who will deeply mourn their loss. This calamity succeeding as it does, the recent Railroad disaster, stirs anew our feelings and sympathies, and impresses us with the fact of the uncertainty of life. The eleven bodies were recovered on Monday night and Tuesday morning - A son of MR. SIGN was also drowned. The funeral of the seven of Reading was attended Wednesday in a grove near the Village, in the presence of 3,000 or 4,000 people. Rev. R. Dunn, Pastor of Hillsdale College, delivered the funeral sermon. Clear Lake, where this melancholy accident oc- curred, is about 18 miles from this village, near the State line. The celebration of that day was attended by citizens of Hillsdale and Branch Counties, in this State, and Steuben Co., Ind. ---------------------------------------------------- The Hillsdale Standard Tuesday, 19 July 1859 The Clear Lake Disaster Mr. Editor - Owing to various newspaper accounts and the many misrepresentations therein contained, concerning the melancholy accident which occurred at Clear Lake on the afternoon of the 4th; in order to set the public mind aright, and to do justice to the memory of some among the fated number whose names are now covered with dishonor; we the survivors deem it expedient to give a plain and truthful statement of the cases which led to the fatal disaster. As has been stated there were twenty-six persons on the boat, and as it had several times crossed with as great a number in perfect safety we felt no fear, but launched forth with merry hearts, resolved to enjoy our nations birth day to the extent of our ability. We had a pleasant and speedy voyage around to the Island, and were upon our return, and had gained about half the distance to the shore when we first saw our danger. A slight breeze had arisen and owing to the construction of the awning, the boat commenced rock- ing, and with each alternate motion dipping water. Not a person present who did not see the danger; yet not a word was spoken; - it was a moment of peril, and our only hope was to reach shallow water, but alas it was doomed otherwise. When in about thirty- five rods from the shore, and only about four rods from shallow water, the boat capsized submerging the whole crew, yet not a shriek was heard nor a groan uttered - we clung to the boat; it arose and as it appeared above the water, revealed to our gaze many of our friends, clinging with an almost death- less grasp to the rapidly revolving wreck! MRS. WATERMAN only broke silence by exclaiming "Praise God." MRS. TURNER was then seen, and recognized her husband by a melancholy look - she was clinging to the same side of the boat, and but a few feet dis- tant, while with an almost frenzied grasp the youth- ful OLIN clung to the arm of his uncle. It was but an instant - the many individuals clinging to the wreck, and the impetus it had already gained gave it another rapid revolution, thus throwing at a distance all whom it supported. Probably then many sunk to rise no more. The boat rose the third time and then only three individuals succeeded in reaching it, MR. TURNER and MR. WATERMAN, who was drawing his wife upon the wreck. Here they retained their position until all that were saved were taken out into a small boat sent out to the rescue. MR. ABBOTT was trying to swim with one hand on the shoulder of his wife, who had lost consciousness, with the other hand he succeeded in reaching one of the small boats that was passing at the time, and of course they were immediately drawn into it and carried to the shore, when by almost superhuman skill and effort MRS. ABBOTT was finally restored. She was a sister of MRS. TURNER. MRS. WILLETS was restored in like man- ner. MISS LAMPSON was next brought, but all efforts proved unavailing in restoring her. The other vic- tims had been so long in the water before found that the vital spark had fled. It has been stated that the managers of the boat were intoxicated. This we think is false, we saw no sign of drunkenness nor liquor in the boat, only in one individual, and he had nothing to do in its management, and he swam ashore. NAMES OF PERSONS LOST: MISS LAMPSON, Camden; MR. STALE, Woodbridge; MR. SINE, Clear Lake; JOHN LAWRENCE, California; DANFORTH BERRY and wife; JEFFERSON BERRY; MRS. WM. TURNER and adopted daughter, ESTELLA; MISS LOUISA TURNER, formerly of the Albion College, aged 19 years; OLIN TURNER, a brother - aged 8 years, all of Reading. NAMES OF THOSE SAVE: J. WATERMAN and wife; BIGLOW ABBOTT and wife; JOHNATHAN WILLETT and wife; WILLIAM TURNER, all of Reading. MRS. STEELE, Woodbridge; S. PRIDGEON, California; MR. SINE, Clear Lake; MR. SWARTHOUT, a son of P. BROWN ESQ., of Camden; MISS WOLF; two others, names not remembered. J. A. Waterman Mrs. Waterman Johnathan Willett Mrs. Willett J. B. Abbott Vesta Abbott W. F. Turner Reading, July 16th, 1859 ===========================================================================