Oceana County MI Archives News.....The Body of Grimwood Found on the East Shore of Lake Michigan August 18, 1875
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Deb Haines http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00003.html#0000719 July 11, 2008, 11:47 pm

The Inter-Ocean, Chicago IL August 18, 1875
Special Telegram to the Inter-Ocean.]

Whitehall, Mich., Aug. 17.—Mr. A. Beckwith, a stage-driver, was driving 
yesterday along the lake from Whitehall to Stoney Creek. Within about two 
miles of Stoney Creek he saw a body lying at the water's edge. He called J. J. 
Tapley, Justice of the Peace, of Claybanks, Oceana County, and delivered over 
to him the body. Mr. Tapley called his neighbors, and, after consulting with 
them, buried the body in Claybanks cemetery. By the appearance of the body, it 
had been washed on the beach a long time as most of the hair was off, and the 
face badly bruised. Mr. Beckwith and Mr. Tapley were here to-day. They had 
some letters and papers that they had taken from the body. They brought them 
here to satisfy the people that the body was that of N. S. Grimwood. The 
papers were not of a private nature—mostly letters on business—directed to N. 
S. Grimwood, a certificate of membership of the Chicago Public Library No. 
29,623, some poetry he had composed, and also notes written while ascending in 
the balloon.

Montague, Mich., Aug. 17.—Your correspondent has just had an interview with 
Mr. A. Beckwith, the mail-rider who discovered the body of Grimwood, the 
companion of Frofessor Donaldson in their disastrous balloon voyage. The 
corpse was found on the beach of Lake Michigan between here and Stony Creek, 
about ten miles north of this place. Mr. Beckwith at first did not imagine 
that the body was that of Grimwood, but upon an examination of the letters and 
papers found in the clothing the identity of the man was established beyond 
doubt. The excitement became intense, for every one knew of the balloon 
ascension. An inquest was held, and the body was buried as soon as possible 
after being found. It was dreadfully decomposed, and the hair was almost quite 
worn off the head. The feet and hands were bare, and the clothing was tattered 
and in places torn by the constant abrasion against the shore and the bottom 
of the lake. Attached to the body was a life preserver which was was bursted, 
but whether owing to the concussion produced by a fall from the clouds, or by 
reason of contact with the shore, it was impossible to determine. In the 
pockets of his clothing were several letters and notes of his trip, evidently 
written after going up and while sitting in the basket. Nothing has been heard 
of Donaldson, nor have any remnants of the balloon been discovered. The 
finding of Grimwood's body, however, has induced the prosecution of a thorough 
search of the beach north and south of here in order, if possible, to find 
them. It is a mystery how the body could have escaped the notice of passing 
vessels, or why, if it has been beating the shore for weeks, it was not sooner 
found. Judging from the appearance of the body no bones were broken, although 
portions of the flesh were worn off the face, and the bones of the feet and 
hands were bare. It was fearfully swollen, and the skin was broken in several 
places, and the intestines were protruding. A more horrible sight could not be 
imagined. There was nothing to indicate as to how death was met, whether the 
balloon was struck by lightning or collapsed in mid-air, and the body fell to 
the surface, bursting the life-preserver; or whether the balloon struck the 
water and was rent in tatters, leaving the men to battle with the waves, only 
at last to be drowned; or whether, as has been suggested, Grimwood and 
Donaldson drew lots to see who would jump from the basket, and the choice fell 
upon the former. But in that case what became of Donaldson and the balloon? 
The opinion prevails among those who saw the body, that the aeronauts found 
that the balloon could not remain in the air, that they saw that they must 
strike the water, and prepared for the worst by putting on their life 
preservers; that the basket struck the surface and filled, and, being 
virtually at anchor, the balloon was torn to shreds by the gale which was 
blowing and the men were left afloat in a heavy sea in which no man could live 
for any great length of time, even though he had a life preserver on. But 
these are only speculations; a more careful investigation and the possible 
discovery of the balloon may finally disclose just how the disaster occurred.

Special Dispatches to the Evening Journal.]

Means, Mich., Aug. 17.—The body of Mr. N. S. Grimwood, your reporter, was 
found yesterday on the beach of the lake, about seven miles below Little Point 
Sauble lighthouse. His papers, minutes, and watch were found on the body. The 
body is buried at that point. It is in a bad state of decomposition. 

Montague, Mich., Aug. 17.—The body of the unfortunate aeronaut, N. S. 
Grimwood, was discovered this morning by A. Beckwith, the mail-carrier, on the 
beach between Stony Creek and Montague, probably twelve miles north of this 
place. Identification is perfect. Letters and a diary were found on the body; 
also a ticket of membership of the Chicago Public Library, No. 29,623, 
marked "N. S. Grimwood, residence 324 Van Buren street;" also one letter from 
the city editor of the Evening Journal, dated Dec. 3, 1874, directed 
to "Newton S. Grimwood, Joliet Sun," regarding an engagement on said paper. A 
bursted life-preserver was attached to the body. Nothing was seen of 
Donaldson's body or the balloon. There is great excitement.

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