Lake Maxinkuckee Its Intrigue History & Genealogy Culver, Marshall, Indiana

Death By Drowning Freddie Asper  





Culver Citizen, Thursday, December 31, 1908
Culver , Marshall County, Indiana

Death By Drowning Freddie Asper Goes Down to a Watery Grave While Skating on the Lake.

The whole village is in a spirit of mourning this week over the drowning of Freddie Asper, the 12 year old son of Mr and Mrs Aaron Asper, who went through the ice on Monday morning while skating.

The accident occurred about 9:45. There was a considerable crowd of la dson the lake opposite the assembly grounds where the ice for perhaps a quarter of a mile from shore was safe. Freddie and Russell Goldner skatedo ut to the edge of the thick ice where Russell stopped but Freddie, moreve nturesome, glided over upon the ice which had formed during the night. He had gone but a short distance when he broke through and there began a struggle for life which was witnessed by a number of persons from the shore. Freddie's own cries for help united with those of his young companion who skated for the shore, set in motion the utmost efforts in his behalf.

Clark Ferrier, with a rope and a boat procured from the icehouse, started at once across the ice, and when the boat broke through the ice he leaped in and made a rapid progress as possible. Freddie went down at least four times. For a moment, on rising, he was able to support himself by catching hold of the ice, but it was too thin to support his weight. When Ferrier finally reached him he was only about a foot below the surface, but undoubtedly dead. He was taken into the boat where Ferrier did what he could in the hope of reviving him. Meantime Elzy Sanders and Ed Hawk had procured another boat, but they were too late to be of assistance farther than to transfer the body to their own boat where they continued the effort at resuscitation. The body was taken to the home of George Davis where Drs. Parker and Rea were summoned, but their labors were likewise fruitless. Meantime the news spread all over town, the amb ulance was called for, and Mrs George Garn and Mrs ulysses Burkett under took the sad mission of informing the parents of their bereavement.

Dr J.H. Kiser, county coroner, reached here during the afternoon, and held an inquest with W.S. Easterday officiating as clerk. Clark Ferrier, Elzy Saunders and Russell Goldner were subpoenaed as witnesses, giving their testimony substantially as narrated here. This is said to be the first case of accidental drowning by breaking through the ice in the history of the town a remarkable circumstance.

The funeral was held at the Evangelical church at 10 o'clock conducted by Rev. Mr. Walmer, assisted by Harley Davis. The pupils from Miss Butler's room attended in a body. The pallbearers were Orville Zechiel, Russel Stahl, Irvin Hessel, Floyd Davis, Lester Houghton and Carl Jones. The following out of town relatives were present: Mrs Sam ulery and two daughters, Mrs Carrie Hawk and family, Grandma Burkett and Bert Zink, all of Mishawaka: Sol Wolfram and wife of Monterey.