OBIT: Leo LOCKARD, 1911, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Patty Millich Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _________________________________________ Lads Drown in Altoona In company with a dozen other boys, John Roberts and Leo Lockard, each aged 15 years, went skating at Mill Run reservoir, belonging to the Allegheny Water Company and located in the Allegheny Mountains, seven miles west of here. The boys started to skate over the pond which is 25 feet deep when the ice broke suddenly and Roberts fell into the water. When coming to the surface he grabbed hold of the ice and shouted for help. Leo Lockard hurried to his assistance, but before he reached his companion the ice collapsed beneath him and he, too, was precipitated into the water. The other boys, who were on the ice and standing around the edge of the reservoir, were unable to render any assistance. The lads drowned directly in view of their companions. Cambria Freeman, Ebensburg, Pa., Volume 45, Number 51, Friday, December 22, 1911 LOST LIFE TRYING TO RESCUE FRIEND Leo Lockard and John Roberts Drowned in Allegheny Water Company's Reservoir. SKATING ON THIN ICE. Roberts Was Precipitated Into Water First and Lockard Ran to His Assistance. Leo Lockard, aged 12, of Tenth avenue and Twenty-fourth street, lost his life in an heroic but unsuccessful attempt to save his friend, John Roberts, aged 14, of 977 Twenty-fourth street, from drowning in the Allegheny Water company's reservoir, one mile above the Three Culverts yesterday afternoon about 3:30 o'clock. A crowd of ten boys composed, besides Roberts and Lockard, of William Doran, aged 11 years, and Francis Dorman, aged 13 years, of 2416 West Chestnut avenue; Henry Hancock, aged 11 years, of 2504 Oak avenue; Foster Dillon, aged 13 years, of 2513 West Chestnut avenue; Horace Lynch, aged 13 years, of 2404 Maple avenue; Charles Lynch, aged 9 years, of 2404 Maple avenue, and John McDonald, aged 14, of 2419 Oak avenue, started for a walk yesterday afternoon, following Mill Run after leaving the Three Culverts. Reservoir Covered By Ice. The reservoir is full of water and is covered by a thin sheet of ice which has been made soft by the continued warm weather of the past week. The boys could not resist the temptation to venture on the dangerous ice and disregarding the trespass notices they went to t he upper end of the dam and began skating near the shore. Several men happened along and drove them away from their dangerous pastime, it is said. After the men had gone they resumed their play. Roberts led the way and getting a good start by a run from the land, slid out about fifty feet on the rotten ice. When he stopped the ice gave way and he disappeared from sight, reappearing a few seconds later, calling for help. Leo Lockard, one of the crowd, taking his life in his hands, started out on the ice to his companion's assistance and, when he reached the struggling boy, the latter reached out, catching Lockard by the coat and dragging him into the water with him. The other boys on the bank were thrown into a panic by the occurrence and several of them ran to a house some distance away, where they procured a rope, with which they thought to rescue their companions. They returned to the shore of the reservoir just in time to see them disappear beneath the surface. Police Are Notified. After the tragic occurrence the boys, badly frightened, came to the city, running all the way to City hall, where they informed Chief of Police Tillard of what had occurred. Chief Tillard had an officer go to the homes of the dead boys and inform the parents of their fate. County Detective Spangler, who happened to be in the police station at about this time, decided to go to the scene of the fatality and procuring a taxicab he went to the reservoir to lend assistance in recovering the bodies. Deputy Coroner M. H. Neaffer Arrived shortly afterwards. A crowd had collected and preparations were made to grapple for the bodies. The large door from a nearby barn was lifted from its hinges and used as a raft. "Bose"? Koontz went out on it and threw out the irons. His first throw caught in Lockard's clothing and when it was brought to the surface it was found that Roberts was still holding to Lockard's clothing. Just as the bodies came to the surface the body of Roberts slid into the water. This occurred shortly before 7 o'clock and after working for an hour longer the body of Roberts was brought out of the water. He recovery of the Lockard boy's body was witnessed by his father, Edward Lockard, employed as a track foreman by the Pennsylvania Railroad company. A brother of Lockard was also present at the time. County Detective Spangler tendered the use of the taxi and in it the body was brought to the city. The remains of Roberts were brought to the city by the occupants of a buggy which was passing the scene when the body was taken out of the water. Inquest Will Not Be Held. In the absence from the city of Coroner Blackburn, Deputy Coroner Neaffer took charge of the case and after making a full investigation and learning all the details of the sad fatality decided that an inquest was not necessary. Leo Lockard was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. A. Lockard of South Tenth avenue and Twenty-fourth street. He was born in this city twelve years ago. He was a student in the Seventh grade of the Miller school. His parents and the following brothers and sisters survive: William, Mamie, Irene, Charles, Francis and Thomas. The boy was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church. John Arthur Roberts was a son of Mrs. Mary Roberts, a widow, living at 977 Twenty-fourth street. He was born in St. Mary's and was 14 years of age. He had lived in Altoona for nine years, and being a bright, cheerful boy had many friends. He was a member of the Sacred Heart Catholic church and formerly attended the parish schools, but at the time of his death he was employed in McCumpsey's store in the Flatiron building and his earnings there helped to support his mother. Surviving are his mother and the following brothers and sisters: Nora, May, Nellie, Joseph and Francis. The boy had been at Sunday school and was home but a short time before the accident. The bodies were taken to the undertaking establishment of Undertaker N. A. Stevens and there prepared for burial. Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., December 11, 1911 FUNERAL LARGELY ATTENDED. The funeral of Leo Roberts and John Lockard, the victims of last Sunday's drowning accident at the reservoir of the Allegheny Water company's reservoir, took place this morning. The funeral services were held in Sacred Heart church, requiem mass being said. The bodies were taken to the church together and taken up the aisle of the church at the same time. But one mass was said for both victims. The funeral was largely attended by sorrowing relatives and friends of the youthful victims. Altoona Mirror, Altoona, Pa., December 13, 1911