Obituaries:  Wes Stevens, Sabine Parish       S-315
Source:  Sabine Index, Many, La., Apr 11, 1974
Submitted by: Carl Dilbeck
              carlrad@earthlink.net




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Wes Stevens

  A three year old boy identified as Wes Stevens of Lafayette
drowned early Sunday afternoon, April 7.

  The Stevens child, who was not wearing a safety jacket,
apparently fell from his parent's boat, as they were boating from
J & L Marina to Toledo Bend Marina, in order to load their boat
up for the weekend.

  It was reported to authorities the Wes' older brother said "Wes
has fallen out of the boat." Stevens attempted to find his son,
but his efforts were to no avail.

  Stevens notified the Sabine Parish Sheriff's Dept., and divers
were immediately dispatched to the lake.

  "We searched until dusk on Sunday, and early Monday morning, had
12 men diving." Sheriff George Cook commented.

  By Wednesday, the Sheriff's Dept. and volunteers had completed
30 hours of diving, but were still unable to find the child's
body.

  "We have had five individual boats running drags," Sheriff Cook
said. "Wayne Turner, Ronald Kingrey, Dan Leslie, Doyle Henry, and
Travis Bennett, all of the Sheriff's Dept., along with Raymond
Isgitt of the La. State Police, and State Trooper Borcelona of
Baton Rouge, have been diving for the last four days in an effort
to recover the body," Sheriff Cook said.

  "Guy Wayne Singletary, Game Warden of Wildlife and Fishery, has
helped on the dragging, and Buddy Veuleman, with the Toledo Bend
Authority has donated his boat, equipment and time in the
search," the sheriff continued. "We also appreciate all the help
from the Natchitoches City Police, the Sabine Parish Civil Air
Patrol, Fort Polk Units, and the many volunteers who have been
helping us."

  "It's impossible to name everyone who has aided us," the sheriff
added. "We've gotten fine cooperation out of everyone."

  The search for the body of Wes Stevens continues.