James Rannells & Ed Bears Drowns  

A SAD MISHAP

Two Young Men Drowned in Lake

Maxenkuckee While Out Boat- Riding

Last night Mr. T. F. Rannells received a telegram announcing tne death, of a nephew by drowning in Lake Maxenkuckee

The telegram did not give the full particilars of the young man's sad ending, and this morning Mr. R. dispatched the boy's relatives at Rochester, and at about 11 o'clock received an answer, fully explaining how the sad accident occurred.

Yesterday afternoon or evening, four young men ranging in age from eighteen to twenty-two went out boating they were James Rannells, William Mercer, and William Plank of Rochester, and Ed Bears, of Peru.

By some unknown mishap, the boat capsized, throwing its occupants into the almost bottomless Lake, midway between Bay View bouse and Long Point.

The distance to either shore was not less than a mile and to swim, it was impossible for the boys.

The crew at Bay View house started out and reached them in time to save Plank and Mercer, but Rannells and Bearss were drowned.

James Rannells one of the unfortunates, is a nephew of Mr, T. F. Rannells, of this city, and a son of Mr. David Rannells, one of Rochester's most influential citizens. Ed Bearss, the other unfortunate, Is the son of Omer Bear's, of Peru. Both were young men or much promise. Will Mercer, who was saved, is a son of Levi Mercer, and Will Plank, who was also saved, Is a son of Dr. Plank, both of Rochester.

Maxinkuckee has been a favorite summer resort for six years past, and yesterday's sad mishap is the first instance where life has been lost by accident or drowning.

The misfortune has cast a gloom on the lake and its pleasures that time only can do away with. The parents aud relatives of the unfortunate young men are to be pitied in this their sad misfortune.

LATER: — A gentleman from Peru informs us that the two boys — Rannells and Bears were wrestling in the boat— that they had clinched and falling out of the boat and did not come to the surface of the water until lifeless.

---

1882 = Sep 1 - Two young men, James Reynolds and Lyman Ears of Rochester, Indiana, whole rowing on Maxinkuckke Lake were drowned Tusday - Sidney Journal (Ohio)

1882 Sept 7 - Ja,es Rannel anda young man named Bears of Plymouth, while in a sail boat on Lake Maxinkuckee with two companions, were drowned by the capsizing of the boat. All were intoxicated, - Jackson County Banner (Indiana)

Further Particulars

Today the PHAROS gives in full the partic ulars of the drowning of Rannaells and Bears in Lake Maxenkuckee,Tuesday afternoon.

They were given a Pharos re-porter by one who was there, and are as follows:

Tuesday morning, the four youns men — Bears, Mercer, Rannells and Plank started out from Rochester for Maxenkuckee, a distance of about eighteen miles. They were accompanied bv four young ladies-Misses Delbert and Davenport, of Peru, and two others whose names were not-learned.

The party arrived at the lake some two hours before noon and took quarters at the Rochester club house on Long Point. After letting the ladies get out of the Vehicle, the boys drove over to Marmont, a small town just north of the lake, and about a mile distant from the Rochester club house.

Halting at a saloon, they went in and asked for the drinks, which were given them. They remained in the ale house at some length and then drove back to the club house and unhitched their horses. By this time the boys were feeling the effects of the liquor they had drank and one of them proposed they go across the lake to Maxenkuckee town.

The ladies were preparing dinner and informed the gentlemen that all would be ia readiness in a very few minutes; but no, they could not wait—they must; cross the lake, and cross they did. The four getting in a medium-sized rowboat. started out. They reached the Maxenkuckee landing safe, and immediately made for the billiard hall, a short distance up the main street.

Here they were refused drink by the proprietor, who saw they had already had too much. From there they went to the Oriole, a saloon and lunch stand located in the immediate vicinity of the Maxenkuckee landing. Here they were given all the liquor they could drink and sad to relate, the boys got very drunk.

After fighting among themselves in the saloon, they started home at about 3 o'clock. All the while since 12 o'clock; the ladies were waiting dinner for them at Long Point.

All went well until about half way home when two of the number stood up and commenced rocking the boat and shouting like demons. The boat upset— Bearrs and Rannells went to the bottom of the lake, and up to yesterday their bodies had not been found. Three men started out from Bay view house, and succeeded in saving Plank and Mercer. Efforts are being made to recover the bodies, which are. supposed to be in sixty feet of water.

While the accident is a sad one, there is no doubt but that the mishap never would have happened had the young man left liquor alone. The feeling at the lake is that the parents of the unfortunate young men are to be pitied for the grief brought about in this sad way. - Logansport Pharos Tribune Aug. 31 1882

---

1882 Sep 2 The proprietor of the Oriole saloon at Maxenkuckee, who. sold whiskey to the young men that drowned in the lake Tuesday last, has suddenly disappeared.

---

1882 - [Very long article reporting deaths of two local people at Lake Maxinkuckee] . . .

The party consisted of Will PLANK, Will MERCER, James RANNELLS, Lyman BEARSS, Florence DELBERT, Lola TRUE, Birdie HICKMAN and Edith COPELAND, all of this city except Miss Delbert, whose residence is at Peru. . . .

Rannells and Bearss only lacked a few months of being of age. Plank is about 18 years of age and Mercer about 20 years old. The ladies are all in their teens. [While taking a boat ride, the boat sank] . . .

and two of them - Bearss and Rannells - sank to rise no more alive. . . .

As soon as possible thereafter, they were conveyed to this place by V. ZIMMERMAN and preparations made for their burial, which took place on Thursday. Lyman BEARSS was taken by his friends to Peru for interment and James RANNELLS was buried in the Odd Fellows cemetery. The funeral of Rannells took place from the residence of Mr. John RANNELLS and the M.E. church where Rev. R. D. UTTER preached a very appropriate and touching sermon. . . .

Of the deceased and surviving members of the party, but little need by said. Lyman Bearss was a son of Hon. George E. BEARSS, who resides three miles west of this place on a farm. He was a young man of more than average intellectual ability, of fine appearance and bore a good name for morality and good behavior. He was the oldest of the family and was his father’s pride and his mother’s darling.

James Rannells was a son of David M. RANNELLS who is well known in this city and throughout the county. “Jimmy” as he was commonly called, was a very quiet and retired young man. He enjoyed company, but never exhibited the overflow of good cheer common among his associates. For several years he has been engaged in EMRICK’s Cigar Store as a roller of the weed into cigars. He was of steady habits and seldom could be enticed into some of the enjoyments ind ulged in by his companions, yet he was a favorite among all th boys and girls of his class. Of the boys rescued, but little need be said. Will Plank and Will Mercer are sons of Dr. A. K. PLANK and Levi MERCER, respectively. They are both lively and interesting young men, given to no special bad practices except those common to boys of their age, who have not been properly restrained. . . . . . Rochester Sentinel - Saturday, September 2, 1882