Drowning tragedies --- in a multiple of four

The word "drowned" on twin tombstones in the southeast quadrant of the Chariton Cemetery most likely is not noticed by passers by today who, for the most part, are focused on exercise routines. The stones commemorate brothers who died in their teens five years apart during the 1920s, tragic enough.

What isn't evident is that the death of the older brother, Clyde Smith, 18, on May 3, 1920, was part of a larger tragedy that claimed two other young lives --- Hazel Hulse, 16, and Grace Massman , also nearly 18, also Chariton High School students nearing the end of another year of classes.

I wrote here on May 9 about the deaths in Crystal Lake's waters of the Powell brothers, Roy and Harlan, on June 23, 1911. Nine years later, the placid waters of that little body of water claimed three more lives.

Here's how The Chariton Leader reported the deaths in its edition of May 6, 1920, under the headline, "Three Young Chariton People Meet Tragic End."

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Annals in the history of Lucas county community life were darkened very sadly indeed on last Monday afternoon when three young Chariton people were drowned and two others narrowly escaped a tragic death when their boat overturned in the waters of the lake west of town. the dead are Hazel Hulse, daughter of Rev. Hulse, of Bethel; Grace Massman, daughter of John Massman; and Clyde Smith, son of J.W. Smith. The two survivors are Quig Timmins, son of Alf Timmins, and Ted Stewart, son of Cory Stewart. These young people were all high school students and well known. And now Chariton is pausing; a terrible tragedy has come and hearts not often reached are slowly and forcibly being touched with a sad reality.

Some high school students were "hooky" on Monday afternoon. A picnic had been hurriedly planned at the lake. During the afternoon a row boat was procured and several trips were made across from the point known as the cove. About 4 o'clock, as we have it, while most of the picnickers were gathered at the entrance to the grounds about a half mile south, getting ready to come back to town, the ill fated party, Grace Massman, Hazel Hulse, Clyde Smith and Ted Stewart, started in the boat across from a point farther south to land at the foot of the cove. Raymond Lewis and Quig Timmins had started on foot around the head of a small arm of water extending out from the main body, and were for a time out of sight of the young people in the boat on account of the hill coming between them.

It was during this particular time that in some manner, supposedly caused by the brisk wind, the boat was overturned and screams were heard. The boys hurried to the rescue and came upon the young people battling for life but a short distance from the shore. But the odds were great and of the party who but a few minutes before were living in an accustomed sphere of care-free existence, three were carried to the bottom of the lake to there meet one of the most tragic deaths that the hand of fate disposes.

One young man, Ted Stewart, managed to maintain his struggle until rescued by Quig Timmins, who was able to reach him just in time to save him from the fate of his companions. The boys, although nearly exhausted after reaching the shore, made their way to the farm house of C.H. Hechtner about three-fourths of a mile south, and there gave the first word that Chariton knew of the tragedy.

Cars were soon on the way, and by 5 o'clock several hundred people stood on the banks watching the efforts that were being put forth to locate the submerged bodies. Soon the body of Hazel Hulse was found floating perhaps a hudnred feet from the scene of the accident. It is generally believed that a heavy coat with an almost impervious lining was responsible for the early recovery. More help arrived and additional boats were found until more than half a dozen sets of hooks, chains and poles were in service. Not until about 6:30 were the efforts successful, when first the body of Miss Massman was caught, then that of Clyde Smith. They were brought to town immediately after recovery and taken to local undertaking parlors, where they were prepared for burial.

We have given as best we could the disconnected bits of the story that we were able gather. Some of it we have from one of the young men who struggled in the cold water until nearly numbed. Between other bits we have tried to discriminate until generally we believe the account here given is fairly authentic.

These young people were all about 18 years old. The boys were quite well known generally, young Smith having lived here for about five years and the others all their lives. The girls were known best in high school circles, both coming here in late years. Miss Massman moved to Chariton with her parents last fall from Melrose, and Miss Hulse came here to attend school from her home near Russell, where her father is a United Brethren minister. They are both members of the Junior class. Timmins is also a junior, while Ted Stewart is a sophomore as was young Smith.

Funeral services over the bodies were held yesterday. The service for Miss Massman was held at 9 o'clock at the family home and conducted by Rev. C.W. McClelland of the Presbyterian church. Interment was made at Iconium, in Monroe (actually Appanoose) county.

For Miss Hulse, a service was held at 2 o'clock at Bethel chapel, northeast of Chariton, conducted by Rev. E.W. Curtis, of the United Brethren church, with burial in the cemetery nearby.

Services were held for Clyde Smith at 10:30 at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. E.A. McKim, assisted by Rev. J.W. Goodsell. Interment was made in the Chariton cemetery.

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Hazel M. Hulse was born Aug. 14, 1903, near Knoxville, Tennessee, At 16, she was the eldest child of the Rev. Henry N. and Effie Jane (Taylor) Hulse, and had lived in both Nebraska and Iowa as part of a pastor's family. When she died, she was survived by her parents, three sisters and two brothers, all living in the Bethel Church parsonage just east of Bethel Church in Cedar Township.

Hazel was buried in the Bethel churchyard where a small stone bearing only her given name was erected to mark the grave. Her father died during 1955 and her mother, during 1967. They are buried in the Clarinda Cemetery in southwest Iowa's Page County.

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Grace Massman, among the younger children of Clara (Brandon) and John Massman, was born May 12, 1902, near Iconium, and was a few days short of 18 when she died. She was a granddaughter of Thomas Brandon, a widely known and prominent pioneer of Appanoose, Monroe and Lucas counties. She was survived by her parents, a sister and six brothers.

Her parents had moved to Chariton from Melrose specifically during the fall of 1919 so that she might attend Chariton High School. Her father died during 1925 and her mother, during 1964. They are buried together in the Iconium Cemetery, graves marked by a common stone.

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Clyde Smith was born near Newbern on May 11, 1902, a son of James W. and Ola Ann (Clingman) Smith, and also was a few days short of his 18th birthday when he died. The family had moved to Chariton during 1915, where James became a dealer in automobiles. He was survived by two brothers and a sister. Both of his parents died during 1948 and were buried near their sons in the Chariton Cemetery.

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Five years after Clyde Smith drowned, his younger brother, Donald, 15, also drowned --- on May 23, 1925 --- and was buried beside his brother in the Chariton Cemetery.

His death, reported upon in The Leader of May 26, 1925, occurred in a pond that still exists in north Chariton, although not visible  now behind the row of houses that lines the west side of Highway 14 as it enters town from the north.

The pond was built during the late 19th century as the centerpiece for the race track on Chariton's second fairgrounds.  Here's the report of Donald death as published in The Leader:

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A gloom was cast over this community last Saturday afternoon when it was learned that Donald Smith, son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Smith, of North Main street, had been drowned in the pond in the north edge of this city, known as the fair ground pond.

Donald, in company with his younger brother and another lad, had gone to the pond to fish. In some manner Donald's line got away from him and he took off his clothing and waded out to get it. The water is several feet deep a few feet from shore, and it is thought that he stepped off beyond his depth and was seized with cramps.

This is the second time in five years that tragedy has visited the Smith home and in each instance a beloved son was taken by drowning. The parents are heart broken at the double visitation, and to them and the other sorrowing relatives the deep sympathy of the entire community will be extended.

Donald Francis Smith, second son of James William and Ola Clingman Smith, was born in Lucas county, near Newbern, Iowa, on October 20, 1909. The family moved to Chariton in 1915. Here Donald started school and pursued his way through the grades to the Freshman year. He was an apt and faithful pupil, and made a good record in school work.

He began attending the Methodist Sunday school as a little child, and was a regular and very interested member of the XXX class in the teen age department. In his twelfth year he joined the Boy Scouts and followed loyally the Scout Law. He had made good plans for his future. He was one of the Institute Club which plans to attend the Epworth League this summer. He was just ready to take examinations for several Merit Badges in Scoutcraft. He had a good place of employment for the summer.

On May 3, 1920, his brother, Clyde, had been drowned. It seems a cruel and capricious fate which led him to a similar death on May 23, 1925, at the age of 15 years, 7 months and 3 days.

Clean in habit and ideals, thoughtful, reverential and kind, he was indeed a good son and brother, a good student, a good scout and a good Christian, according to what God has planned that a growing boy should be. The sympathy of all goes out to the bereaved father and mother, the little sister, Dorothy, and the little brother, Clell, who will miss him sorely.

Funeral services were held Monday at 4 p.m. at the Methodist church, conducted by Rev. Frank Bean, his pastor and Scoutmaster, assisted by Rev. J. D. Pontius of the Church of Christ and Rev. J. A. Riggs, of the Baptist church. The Boy Scouts formed an escort and furnished the pallbearers.

At the Chariton cemetery, when the ritual was closed, Scout Clifford Wells signaled the International Code message, R.D.G. N., meaning, "The message is ended, Good Night." Scout Harold Ordway sounded "Taps." The floral tributes were profuse and beautiful, tender and silent messages of love for the dead and sympathy for the living.

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If you visit the Smith boys' graves, you'll notice the small bronze Boy Scout marker near his tombstone. I've not see another like it in Lucas County.