Herbert and Bruce Preston's obituary, Vermontville, Eaton County, Michigan ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/mi/mifiles.htm ************************************************ SUBJECT: H. Herbert & Bruce PRESTON SUBMITTER: Jan Lubitz Sedore EMAIL: am0773@a1access.net DATE: Apr 13, 1999 SURNAMES: PRESTON, HULETT VERMONTVILLE SCRAPBOOK #3, Page 21 H. HERBERT PRESTON AND SON BRUCE LOST THEIR LIVES WHILE BATHING AT GRAND RIVER. FATHER TEACHING SON TO SWIM They were members of Party from Here Spending a Day's Outing at the River. At about 5:00 o'clock Sunday afternoon an exceedingly sad tragedy occurred at Grand River near Alleman's island, when Herbert Preston and son Bruce of this village were drowned while bathing. A party consisting of Herbert Preston, Frank Cogswell, Frank Richard, Amos Hulett, Elijah Jackson and their families and Charlie Dunham drove to the river for a day's outing. Late in the afternoon Mr. Preston, Bruce, Elijah Jackson, and Amos Hulett went down the river a short distance from the place where the party was spending the day. Just before they thought it time to return for supper which the ladies were preparing to serve at 5 o'clock, Mr. Preston took Bruce in bathing with the intentions of giving his son some lessons in the art of swimming. Preston was a good swimmer and was supporting Bruce with his hands when Jackson and Hulett, who were on the banks a few rods up the stream, heard his cry of "come quick!" They saw the pair sink almost instantly after the cry, Bruce coming up shortly and made a hard struggle but did not seem to realize what he was doing, as he swam down stream rather than towards shore. Mr. Jackson, who was nearest the unfortunate pair, got within a few feet of the boy before he went down the last time. Amos Hulett cannot swim and Jackson, although a good swimmer once, is not unable to attempt the art on account of rheumatism. There was a boat up the river away and this they hastened to get. The bodies were soon located and an attempt made to get them out. The efforts, however, were of no avail until Albert Gragg reached the scene and volunteered to dive. He was taken out in a boat and his first attempt was successful in bringing Mr. Preston's body, which was in about 10 feet of water, to the surface. The boy's body was in about 12 feet of water and it took two dives to bring it out. It was probably an hour from the time of the accident until the bodies were laid on the banks of the river. An attempt at resuscitating proved unsuccessful, Mr. Preston must have had cramps as his body was doubled up. Justice Pryor was called and decided that an inquest was unnecessary and the bodies were brought here, arriving at about 8 o'clock. Mrs Preston was terror stricken with grief when informed of the accident a few minutes after it occurred. She was brought to her home here and friends done everything possible to console her. The family seem to be particular unfortunate so far as accidents are concerned, Mr. and Mrs Preston having lost one son, Keith, about seven years ago by being burned by a bonfire, Mrs Preston lost an uncle by being drowned, and her father was accidentally killed at his flower mill in this village about a year ago. Funeral services were held at the house Wednesday forenoon, a large congregation of people being present to pay their last tribute of respect. Rev. W. D. Stratton preached the funeral sermon and the Oddfellows officiated at the grave. The interment was made at the Freemire cemetery. OBITUARY Died, September 9, 1906, Henry Herbert Preston and his little son, Edward Bruce Preston, by accidental drowning. Mr. Preston, wife and children with several of their intimate friends and their families were enjoying an improvised picnic on the wooded shores of Grand River. The ladies were arranging the table for lunch, and the gentlemen were scattered somewhat along the shore of the river. Mr. Preston was an expert swimmer and was teaching his little son the art of swimming, and the little fellow was for his age a good swimmer. He had at other times swam the river with his son on his back. The last that any of the party noticed father and child they were splashing each other with water playfully. Some one heard the cry "help," rushing to the spot they saw only for an instant the top of the child's head, and they were gone-father, husband, son and friend, and his much loved little son, forever. Mr. Preston was born in Homer, Cortland County, New York, May 5, 1868 and came to Sunfield Township with his parents in 1869 and was 38 years old. He was married to Edith A. Hulett July 29, 1891. They had grown up neighbors and school children together. Their mothers were intimate friends for years. In all their lives as children and as husband and wife there was not one "family jar." There was born to them four children, of whom two were living at the time of the lamentable catastrophe. Mr. Preston was a member of the order of Maccabees and The Eastern Star, also a member of the I. O. O. F. and Rebekah. An intimate friend said of Mr. Preston: "Herbert Preston had no enemies, no one ever heard him speak ill of any one; he was the soul of honor. His affection for his father was phenomenal, he adored his wife and children; generosity was with him, if possible, his one fault, and while making no display of it he was one of the best informed and brightest men of my acquaintance. The place of his individuality can never be refilled on earth but his kind, unostations deeds live after him in the hearts of all who knew him. Little Bruce was president of the Loyal Temperance Legion, and was loved and respected by all of his mates and fellow workers. He was ten years old last May. Mr. Preston's father, Dr. Snyder as others are of the opinion that cramp was the cause of the sad accident, Herbert's ability to handle his little son in the water cannot, under normal health conditions, be questioned. The double funeral was attended by a large concourse of friends and the magnificent display of floral tributes from individuals as well as societies marked well the esteem in which the living as well as the dead are held by the doners. It would be useless even where it good taste to describe the grief of the stricken wife and father of Mr. Preston. He was the prop upon which they and others leaned heavily. Their grief can only be imagined better than described. The clergyman, Rev. D. W. Stratton, D. D., performed the funeral services in the most admirable manner.