Obit: Stowe, Chester #2 (1886 - 1907)

Contact:  Lani Bartelt

Surnames: Stowe, Hirsch, Cammers, Barrett, Austin

----Sources: Marathon County Register Newspaper (Unity, Wis.) June 21,1907

Stowe, Chester (1886 - 1907)

A SAD AFFAIR

Chester Stowe Drowns in Popple River While Bathing

A most deplorable accident occurred in the town of Unity last Sunday in which Chester Stowe of Beaver lost his life. With several companions he was bathing in the Popple river near the Ayer dam when he was taken with cramps and went down before help could reach him.

At the place where the accident occurred the water was sixteen feet deep. Chester and Everett Hirsch were riding on a log when it began to sink, the water had got about up to their necks when Chester without warning grabbed his companion about the shoulders precipitating them both into the water. Hirsch struck out for shore and as soon as his feet touched ground he looked about for Chester; but he was not to be seen, presently he appeared too within a few feet of the surface but before Everett could reach him he again disappeared and was not seen again until his body was recovered from the water by Will Cammers and Will Barrett about three hours later.

Chester was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Stowe, old residents of the town of Beaver, and was an ambitious young man of sterling qualities. He graduated from the Unity, Wis. High School with the class of ’03 and after teaching two years attended the Oshkosh Normal having but recently come home from that institution for the summer vacation. He was twenty-two years of age.

The funeral which was the most largely attended of any ever held in the town of Beaver, was held from the old homestead and after services at the Beaver M. E. Church, conducted by Rev. Austin., the remains were interred in the Beaver cemetery.

The casket was covered with a profusion of beautiful flowers contributed by his many friends as a kindly token of the high esteem in which he was held.

The bereaved parents and the sorrowing brothers and sisters have the heartfelt sympathy of the community in their affliction.