| Transcribed by Norma Knotts Shaffer from microfilm of the Calhoun Chronicle
dated 6/6/1911.
Earl Betts Drowned
Monday afternoon, at a point on the Little Kanawha river near
the Betts homestead about three miles below Grantsville, Earl Betts, the
16-year-old son the Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Betts was drowned. He had
been working in the field adjoining the river, with Gay Kerby, a boy about
his own age and becoming very warm decided to take a plunge in the river
to cool off. The Kerby boy went ahead with his work, and after waiting
considerable time for Earl to return went to the edge of the river to look
for him. Finding his clothes on the bank and being unable to get
an answer when he called, the Kerby boy at once ran to the house and give
the alarm. He ran from there to Cabots factory, where he told of
the tragedy and practically all the workers there ran to the scene of the
drowning, where the body was immediately recovered, being found in water
not more than four feet deep.
Doctors Morford and Pickering hastened to the scene, in hopes that life
was not entirely extinct, but their efforts were unavailing, the body having
been in the water more than an hour.
The family of the deceased are almost overcome with grief and the terrible
shock of his untimely and tragic death, especially Mrs. Betts, who is almost
inconsolable, and they have the heartfelt sympathy of the entire community,
who knew and loved Earl as a manly, courteous and loving boy. He
will be greatly missed.
Fenton Betts, a brother of the deceased, was working at Akron, Ohio,
and Undertaker H. H. Robey, of Spencer, was called to embalm the body,
that the funeral might be postponed until Fenton, as well as other relatives
could get here. |
