OBIT: Francis H. WALKER, 1941, Somerset, Somerset County, PA

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Meyersdale Library.
Transcribed and proofread by: Richard Boyer.

Copyright 2009.  All rights reserved.
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FRANCIS WALKER

Youth Drowns in Trent Park Dam
Francis Walker loses Life While Testing New Boat He Built

  When his new home-made kayak upset in the middle of the dam at the Federal 
Park near Trent, Francis H. Walker, 19, of Somerset, was drowned late Saturday 
afternoon and his body was not recovered until Sunday, about 24 hours after the 
mishap.
  A companion, Glenn Wood, 18, of Somerset, was in the boat with Walker when it 
capsized, while a second companion, William Coleman, 21, Somerset, stood on the 
pier and witnessed the accident.
  After the boat upset, throwing the two young men overboard, they struggled in 
the cold water until the boat was righted and were attempting to re-enter the 
craft.  Young Wood stated he informed Walker of being exhausted and started to 
swim to shore, assuming Walker would follow him.
  Coleman standing on the pier realized their predicament and ran for help.  
Wood reached shore safely, but it developed that Walker sank from sight and was 
not seen again.
  Help was quick in coming from the neighboring WMCA camp, where scores of 
Pittsburgh YMCA members were spending a weekend.  YMCA boats on the opposite 
side of the dam were brought into use at once.  One of the stronger swimmers 
brought the overturned kayak to shore, where it was examined.
  Although both occupants of the boat had been fully clothed, each had taken a 
pair of bathing trunks along in the bottom of the boat, it was believed.  When 
the boat was returned to shore, only one pair of trunks were found in the kayak.
  Fishermen along the nearby streams joined in the rescue work and then calls 
went out for help.  Grappling hooks were rushed to Somerset and thence to the 
dam site from Johnstown.  A motor police cordon, comprising Sgt. J. A. Blair, 
Corp. H. A. Stephens, Pvt. Elmer Schmoyer and Pvt. E. P. Harrison went into 
action.
  Scores of volunteer firemen from Somerset, Rockwood and Meyersdale joined the 
YMCA recruits and fishermen in the rescue work which continued until the body 
was found.
  Late Saturday evening, it became apparent that more drastic measures were 
needed and J. H. Caldwell, director of the national park site, ordered the dam 
drained as part of the rescue program.
  Investigators believe Walker attempted to remove his trousers to facilitate 
his swimming to shore.  When his body was recovered his trousers were down and 
tangled about the ankles, and it is thought this prevented his swimming and 
caused him to drown.
  The squad car of the Meyersdale Fire Department was used to convey Walker's 
body from the dam to Somerset.
  Francis H. Walker was born in Somerset, on March 19, 1922.  He leaves his 
parents, Edison H. and Margaret (Hay) Walker; a brother, J. Edison Walker, at 
home, and his grandfather, Simon Hay, Somerset.  He was a graduate of Somerset 
High School and had been attending the national defense engineering classes in 
Somerset.
  Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon in the 
Trinity Reformed Church in Berlin.  Rev. D. S. Stephan, Ph. D., pastor of the 
church, officiated and was assisted by Rev. F. D. Witmer.  Interment was made in 
the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Berlin under the direction of J. N. Johnson & Son, 
Berlin morticians.

Meyersdale Republican, May 8, 1941