Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Carroll Lee Birdwell, 1928
31 Aug 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) 

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BIRDWELL, CARROLL LEE
(26 Jul 1928, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
The body of Carroll Lee Birdwell, 18-month-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Davis
Birdwell, who live on the banks of the Washita river, about five miles
west of Beutler, was found caught among some driftwood about half a mile
downstream from the Birdwell home some thirty minutes after the child had
been missed from home Friday afternoon.
The child had been permitted to go out to play, but after some time a
member of the family had occasion to look for him, and not being able to
find him, gave alarm to the rest of the household.  A thorough going
search was instituted at once and the child's sister, Judy, aged 10,
finally spied the body of her baby brother in the middle of the river. 
She immediately plunged into the water and brought the infant to shore,
suffering a number of injuries from collision with hidden snags in the
river.
Efforts to restore life to the little body were futile and attempts at
artificial respiration were abandoned. The Birdwell home stands on a
rather high bank overlooking the river, and it is believed that the child,
wandering too near the brink, toppled over, and was unable to avoid
rolling into the river.  Strong City Progress.