1952 Accidential Drowning - Curtis Blanton  

Accidental Drowning CLaims 16-yr, Old Youth Here July 4

The body of sixteen year old Curtis Blanton of Louellen, Ky., was accidently discovered in about three feet of water near the town peir at the CUlver Beach about 8:45 p.m. last Friday.

Efforts to revive the youth by the Culver FIre Department resuscitation team directed by Fire Chief Dave Burns and assisted by Dr. C. G. Mackey and COach Harold Sering, were unsuccessful.

FOllowing the inquest, Dr. V. A. Connell of Bourbon, Marshall county deputy cornoner, stated that the death was due to accidental drowning.

The body was taken to the Easterday Funeral Home to await the arrival of Mrs. Marth Blanton, mother of the cesdease youth, who come on Sunday morning. The body was taken to Harlan, Ky. for fuuneral services

Swimmers Discover Body

Reported as having checked out a bathing suit at the Beach Lodge about fifteen minutes before, the body was accidentally discovered by Paul Osborn, 14 of Culver. Osborn was enjoying a game of tage with George AMon of R. R. 4 Plymouth.

The two boys were playing near the pier and Paul Osborn thought he had touched Amooon underneath the water. Coming to the surface he saw George standing nearby and realized he had touched another person. The boys, who were playing in the shallow water immediately notified persons on the shore who in turn called the fire deparatment. George Am,on ewlocated the body and pulled it in.

The accident attracted a large crown of onlookers who crowed onto the pier causing the wooden structure to sag badly and endanger the loves of scores of persons. Police Chief DOn Mikesell and State Police ordered the crowd off the pier. Repairs to the structure were mecessary before use on Sunday.

The attempt at resucitiation continued steadily intil Dr. Connell officially pronounced that the youth was dead at 10:05 p.m. Blanton was employed at the Culver Mess Hall, where he worked in the kitchen.

The Tradegy was the first one in a long time at Lake Maxinkuckee.

A year ago July 4, Commodore L. Roy Ford suffered a fatal heart attack during the opening Maxinkuckee Yacht Club sailing race.

Friday's drowning is the first here since January 11, 194 when four children fell through the ice into the lake near the rock pile along the north shore - Jul 9 1952.