Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Hershiser, Byron 1908
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Sandy Heintzelman sheintz@iserv.net May 21, 2011, 4:39 pm

Lake Odessa Wave, 13 Aug 1908

Popular Young Man Drowned

Byron Hershiser Meets Death at Bay City.

Funeral Here Tuesday Afternoon

Youth of High Ambitions, Sterling Character, and Industrious Nature.

Late Saturday evening the people on the business streets were given a sudden 
shock when it became known that Byron Hershiser, one of our most popular young 
men, had been drowned at Bay City.  So unexpected was the sad news that many 
could not believe it and not until particulars surrounding the accident could 
be obtained could the public realize the sadness of the affair.

Mr. Hershiser had made his home here for the greater part of his life and since 
his parents moved to Bay City a little more than a year ago he had made his 
home at different times with friends in town.  In his honest, straightforward 
manner he had gained the friendship of all and had won for himself among us a 
place of high esteem.

Mr. Hershiser left town a short time ago to visit his parents and younger 
brother at Bay City and also to do some canvassing which he was engaged in.

The Bay City Times of Aug. 10 contains the following account of the accident:

“The Saginaw river claimed another victim Saturday afternoon at 4:30 o’clock 
when Byron Hershiser, 20 years old, lost his life while in swimming at the foot 
of Thirty-third street, with his brother, Cecil, 14 years old.

“The cause of the unfortunate tragedy is not known and it is only a wonder that 
Cecil Hershiser was not drowned at the same time.  He and the victim, both 
being good swimmers, started out in the river, and when about three rods from 
the dock turned around and made for the landing again.  Cecil was ahead on the 
return trip and the two were getting along all right until Cecil heard Byron 
cry for assistance.  He was struggling in the water and Cecil went to his 
rescue.  He grappled the drowning man and tried to hold him up but being much 
lighter was unable to do so.  He was pulled beneath the surface in the struggle 
but managed to free himself and came to the top.  Byron was not in sight and 
Cecil, much exhausted, managed to reach the shore.  It is supposed that the 
victim was attacked by cramps.

“The accident was witnessed by men passing on the tug Witch and also by Elden 
Anderson, of 1919 Broadway.  An alarm was given, but there was nothing that 
could be done until the police arrived with grappling irons.  It was near 6 
o’clock when the body was recovered.  A coroner, after inquiring into the 
particulars of the tragedy, concluded that it was purely an accident and no 
inquest will be held.”


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