OBIT: John BEAM, 1911, Lancaster, Lancaster County, PA

Contributed and transcribed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Gene Beam RRStocks_pa@yahoo.com

Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/lancaster/
_______________________________________________ 

The New Era, Lancaster PA, June 1911

John Beam Loses Life Near Big Bridge.

Was swimming with two companions Sunday morning when he was attacked by cramps 
victim but sixteen years of age.

A drowning accident occurred about 11:30 o'clock Sunday morning a few yards 
below the Big Bridge, in the Conestoga River, cramps causing the tragedy. The 
victim was John V. Beam, an employee of the cotton mills, the sixteen-year-old 
son of Samuel S. Beam, of No/ 334 North Plum street and the late Elizabeth 
Shoenberger Beam.

The lad and two companions, Paris Genizler and Jerry McKoniy, Jr., went to the 
river in the morning for a walk and when they reached the place where the 
drowning occurred Beam suggested a swim. The other boys advised against it, but 
finally all went into the steam, which is quite deep there. When a score of 
yards from shore Beam was attacked with cramp and in response to his call for 
help Genizler swam out to him with the design of rendering assistance. He got 
hold of the drowning boy, but the latter clutched his would-be rescuer and came 
near causing his drowning. Gentzler was thoroughly exhausted when he managed to 
break away from Beam, not being a very expert swimmer himself, and he hurried 
to shore. Four young ladies were witnesses of the drowning, Miss Martha Neff, 
of Millersville: Misses Ada and Alice Hershey, of Gordonyille, and Miss Lottie 
Resster of No 527 North Plum street. By their advice Beam's alarmed companions 
hurried to the city waterworks not fat distant and gave the alarm. The news was 
phoned to the police station and after Patrolman Huber and communicated with 
Chief of Police Bushong, Officers Goodman and Resh and Patrolman Nickel were 
sent to the river with the ambulance. News of the accident had spread quickly, 
and a crowd of people soon gathered along the shores and among those who 
participated in the search for the body were several of the State Constabulary 
and Matt Hogarth and Amos Sheaffer. These two, using a rowboat in their search, 
grappled the body about 2 o'clock in the afternoon, not far from where the 
drowning occurred. Undertaker Groff took charge of it, and Dr. F. G. Hartman 
made an investigation for the Coroner, deciding it was an accidental drowning.

The deceased, who was a member of St. Paul's Reformed Sunday-school, is 
survived by his father and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Ella Isaac, 
Cleveland, Ohio; Mrs. Elste Arnold, Mrs. Alice Braungard, Paul, Esther and Anna 
Louise, city; Arthur B., United States Army, stationed in Main, and Harry, 
United States Army in Texas.