OBIT: Meryl ICKES, 1893, Altoona, Blair County, PA

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MERYL ICKES DROWNED.
The Sad Even Occurs at Flowing Springs This Morning.

  Meryl Ickes, son of Jesse B. W. Ickes, Roy Geesey, son of Charles 
Geesey, esq., and a lad named Taylor, left the city between 3 and 4 
o'clock this morning with the intention of spending the day fishing in 
the neighborhood of Williamsburg.  During the forenoon word was 
received here that young Ickes had been drowned while attempting to 
drive across the ford at Flowing Springs.  Roy Geesey came to the city 
on the 11 o'clock train to acquaint his parents and Mr. Ickes with the 
particulars of the sad occurrence and went back again to assist in the 
search for the body which had not been recovered when he left.  Charles 
Geesey and Samuel Knox went to the scene on the 2 o'clock train this 
afternoon.
  The boys planned the trip during the week, young Geesey agreeing to 
furnish his father's horse and buggy to convey them to the country, and 
they had looked forward with pleasant anticipation of a fine day's 
sport.  On arriving at the ford at Flowing Springs they found the river 
much swollen by the recent rains and at first were afraid to attempt to 
cross.  They did not like to go a great distance out of the way, in the 
direction of Canoe Creek, where the next ford is located, and it was 
finally decided that Ickes should make the attempt himself.  The other 
boys stood on the bank, while he drove into the swift-rushing current.
  The horse had not proceeded far till it reached a wash-out, and 
immediately went down, the buggy being at the same time overturned.  
The boy clung to the horse and both were washed down the river some 
distance.
  The cries of the boys on the bank attracted the attention of some men 
working on the railroad nearby and they ran to the river, but too late 
to save the boy.  He had gone down with the horse and both were 
drowned.  The body of the unfortunate lad was not seen after it went 
down and at noon today had not been recovered.
  A reporter saw Mr. Ickes this morning at his home, 1518 Fifth avenue.  
He was much prostrated by the sad occurrence.  He said Meryl had 
retired at 8 o'clock last evening, leaving a note on the table 
informing him that he was going fishing in the morning, and had set the 
alarm clock so that he would be wakened at 3 o'clock.  He presumes he 
left the house about that time.
  The unfortunate boy was 16 years of age on the 23d of November last.  
Geesey is in his sixteenth year.  Meryl was one of the brightest pupils 
in the Altoona high school.  His mother died three years ago last July, 
and since then two older brothers and a sister have made their home 
with their aunt, Mrs. Wheeler, in Chicago.  Miss Julia keeps house for 
her father and a younger brother also lives at home.  The afflicted 
family have the sympathy of the community in their severe affliction.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Saturday Evening, April 22, 1893

THE BODY BROUGHT HOME.
The funeral of Meryl Ickes Will Take Place Tomorrow Afternoon.

  The body of Meryl Ickes, who was drowned at Flowing Springs on 
Saturday morning, was discovered about 6 o'clock yesterday morning, by 
a searching party, consisting of C. A. Vauclain, Owen Weakland, Joseph 
Hoofnagle, J. B. Carney and Frank Murray.  It was found floating on the 
surface of the water nearly a mile and a half below the spot where the 
lad met his unfortunate fate.  The body was brought to Undertaker 
Hickey's rooms, arriving about 10:30 o'clock.  After being embalmed, 
prepared for burial and placed in a handsome casket, the remains were 
taken to the boy's home, 1518 Fifth avenue, where the funeral services 
will be conducted by Rev. A. W. Spooner, pastor of the Second 
Presbyterian church, at 2:30 o'clock tomorrow afternoon.  Interment in 
Fairview cemetery.

Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., Monday Evening, April 24, 1893