Beckham County, OK - Deaths: Charles Owen Chandler, 1917
17 Nov 2007
Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell)

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CHANDLER, CHARLES OWEN
(26 Jul 1917, Elk City Newspaper, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK):
OWEN CHANDLER DROWNED.
While Rowing in Reservoir the Boat Capsizes, Unable to Reach Shore.
Great excitement prevailed in Elk City last Sunday afternoon when it
became know (sic) that Owen Chandler, eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. M. L.
Chandler had fallen in the reservoir when the boat in which he was rowing
capsized, and it was impossible to find the body.  In a short time a large
crowd had gathered and men and boys went in the reservoir to drag it with
a seine, throw a line, drag and a number went in diving.  After an hour
and twenty minutes Messrs. Garnett and Maloy who had fish hooks on throw
lines drew him out, the fish hook having caught in the shirt at the
shoulder.
A number of doctors were present who used every means possible to
resuscitate him.  Grubitz & Son had brought their lung pulmotor which they
used immediately.  How anxiously all waited, and for a time hope was
supreme that he would be revived.  He was later taken to Hoch's Barber
shop, where it was thought by putting him in a bath tub containing warm
water while using pulmotor that he might be revived, but after two hours
of effort it was known that nothing could be done, and with sad hearts it
was announced that Owen was dead.
Owen was accompanied to the reservoir by Victor and Jack Hunter, Wilbur
Brown and others.  All were in the boat when it commenced to rock because
of the high waves, and it began to fill with water.  They tried to get to
the bank but the boat turned over at a place where water was very deep,
though not a great distance from shore.  As all the boys could swim they
were not uneasy for they thought that all could escape, but on looking
back the boys noticed something was wrong with Owen, and it is thought he
became strangled and then frightened and lost control of himself, and
having on his clothes, overalls and shirt, they weighed so heavily which
helped to make it hard for him to escape.  The boys were all younger than
he and dressed in unionalls and so were unable to do much for him.  One
tried to push a log towards him, another went to get paddle with which to
try to reach him, but by this time he had sunk the third time.  One of the
boys tried to dive for him while the others went to give the alarm.
Mr. and Mrs. Chandler with two children, had gone to Strong City that
morning and were away at the time of the accident.  Friends tried to reach
them over the telephone but it was impossible to locate them.  They also
went in autos to meet them and help prepare them for the shock.  They were
on the road from Hammon when found, but it was after life had been
pronounced extinct and the body of their son had been taken to the home. 
The grief of the parents was pitiful, and grave.

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