Obituaries: R. Q. Martin, 1958, Winn Parish, LA. Submitted by Greggory E. Davies, 120 Ted Price Lane, Winnfield, LA 71483 ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ********************************************** From: January 2, 1958 Winn Parish Enterprise News-American Gansville Man Drowning Victim On Saline Lake The drowning of R. Q. Martin, 38 year old Gansville resident Saturday afternoon, added to the already tragic toll of accidental deaths for 1957 in Winn Parish. Mr. Martin, a non-swimmer, drowned when his boat ran onto a partially submerged stump in Saline Lake and threw him into the water, about 1:30 p.m. Saturday. He had been fishing, and was alone in the boat at the time. A veteran fisherman, Mr. Martin was about 50 yards from the lake channel heading back toward shore when the incident occurred. Witnesses, Mr. and Mrs. Sutton of Ruston, said they were fishing in another boat about 100 yards away, and reported Mr. Martin struggled briefly and then disappeared below the surface. Representatives of the Winnfield police and fire departments, the Winn Parish Sheriff's Office, local state troopers, as well as emergency agencies from Natchitoches and Jackson parishes went to the scene, and assisted in the search for Martin's body. The body was recovered about 30 minutes after the accident by R. E. Davis of Winnfield, Arthur Travison of Jonesboro, and Irvin Brownell of El Cajon, California. An attempt was made to revive him with resuscitation from the Winnfield Fire Department, but the efforts were hopeless. Winn Deputy Coroner Dr. George M. Rodgers pronounced a verdict of death by accidental drowning. Mr. Martin was a native and lifelong resident of Winn Parish and had fished on the lake many times, being considered by local sportsmen an expert fisherman. He was employed as a bulldozer operator by Continental Can Co. Funeral services were held Sunday at 2 p.m. at Antioch Church near Goldonna, with Rev. Edgar Gunter officiating. Burial was in the church cemetery under direction of Edmonds Funeral Home of Jonesboro. Survivors include his widow, Mrs. Annie Laura Martin, a son, Everett Martin, 7, a daughter, Nancy Martin, 5, all of Gansville; his mother, Mrs. J. E. Martin of Friendship; and a sister, Mrs. Vada Malone of Winnfield.