OBIT: Thomas CONLIN, 1888, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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A BOY DROWNED.
Thomas Conlin Takes a Fatal Bath at Eldorado.

  About 11 o'clock on Sunday morning Thomas Conlin, son of Patrick Conlin of 
1718 Ninth avenue, accompanied by his younger brother, James, left home for the 
purpose of taking a ramble into the country.  They walked up to Kitanning Point 
and then across the country to Eldorado.  South of the town, at bridgle No. 4, 
Thomas concluded that he would take a bath and went into the river for that 
purpose.  The water is about five feet deep at that point.  Thomas must have 
been seized with cramp, for soon after entering the water he sank from sight.  
His brother became frightened and called for help.  A number of men responded 
and succeeded in recovering the body of the unfortunate lad after it had been 
in the water about fifteen minutes, but the spirit had fled.  All efforts to 
resuscitate him were unsuccessful.  The body was brought to this city on a 
hand-car and given in charge of Undertaker B. J. Lynch, by whom it was removed 
to the residence of the parents and prepared for burial.
  Coroner W. H. Glenn was notified of the death of young Conlin and summoned 
the following gentlemen as jurors: E. A. Walker, John Orndoff, Curtis 
Cornelius, Joseph Sellers, J. T. Ferry and David Dougherty.  After viewing the 
remains and taking such testimony as was obtainable, the jury returned the 
following verdict: Death was caused from accidental drowning at No. 4 bridge, 
near Eldorado.
  The lad whose life was so suddenly extinguished was about 14 years of age and 
had been employed for some months past in Samuel Sprankle's sore.  His 
unlooked-for death was a terrible blow to his parents and other friends. The 
drowning occurred about 5 o'clock that evening, and it was about an hour later 
that the remains were brought to this city and taken to his home.  His death 
must have been due to cramp, as the lad is said to have been a good swimmer.

Altoona Tribune, August 30, 1888