RAIL SECTION WORKER DROWNS IN POWDER RIVER RESERVOIR
Friendly Race With Companion Proves Fatal to Joseph Grafft, 21, Sunday Afternoon
A friendly race between two Burlington railroad section workers to swim the reservoir near Powder River at a point about a quarter-mile wide, ended in tragedy Sunday afternoon at 2:30 when Joseph Grafft, 21, sank from exhaustion 50 feet from his goal.
His companion, Edwin Hojim, was too spent from the long swim in the icy waters to rescue the drowning youth. He grasped the man's ankle but was forced to relinquish his hold and fight his way to shore.
Apparently not realizing the width of the reservoir at that point was so great, the two men started the swim in a spirit of rivalry while their wives watched the contest a short distance away.
Grafft was married about three weeks ago and began working for the Burlington railroad maintenance department on June 16. He came here from Watertown, S.D., several months ago.
The body was recovered in 12 feet of water after two hours of grappling efforts led by the sheriff's office with the assistance of volunteer divers. The grapple hook finally fastened in a shoulder strap of the youth's swimming suit.
The sheriff's office was called from Powder River a few minutes after Grafft went under, and Deputies A.F. Newlin and W.A. Proctor took grappling equipment to the scene of the accident immediately.
County Coroner W.L. Bustard also carried on an investigation Sunday afternoon.
The body was taken to the Conroy Mortuary where arrangements for funeral services are being made.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Guy D. Grafft of Watertown, S.D., and two sisters.
RAIL SECTION WORKER DROWNS IN POWDER RIVER RESERVOIR
Friendly Race With Companion Proves Fatal to Joseph Grafft, 21, Sunday Afternoon
A friendly race between two Burlington railroad section workers to swim the reservoir near Powder River at a point about a quarter-mile wide, ended in tragedy Sunday afternoon at 2:30 when Joseph Grafft, 21, sank from exhaustion 50 feet from his goal.
His companion, Edwin Hojim, was too spent from the long swim in the icy waters to rescue the drowning youth. He grasped the man's ankle but was forced to relinquish his hold and fight his way to shore.
Apparently not realizing the width of the reservoir at that point was so great, the two men started the swim in a spirit of rivalry while their wives watched the contest a short distance away.
Grafft was married about three weeks ago and began working for the Burlington railroad maintenance department on June 16. He came here from Watertown, S.D., several months ago.
The body was recovered in 12 feet of water after two hours of grappling efforts led by the sheriff's office with the assistance of volunteer divers. The grapple hook finally fastened in a shoulder strap of the youth's swimming suit.
The sheriff's office was called from Powder River a few minutes after Grafft went under, and Deputies A.F. Newlin and W.A. Proctor took grappling equipment to the scene of the accident immediately.
County Coroner W.L. Bustard also carried on an investigation Sunday afternoon.
The body was taken to the Conroy Mortuary where arrangements for funeral services are being made.
Besides his wife, he is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Guy D. Grafft of Watertown, S.D., and two sisters.
Family Members
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Mae Frances Grafft Snyder
1916–1938
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Lillian June Grafft Gandrud
1923–1994
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Donald Anthony Grafft Sr
1924–1990
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Charles Luverne Grafft
1927–2003
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Theresa Betty Jane Grafft Thompson
1931–2008
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Eugene Sylvester "Tuff" Grafft
1933–2013
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Daniel Guy Grafft
1935–2012
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Ronald Lee Grafft
1936–2007
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Patricia Grafft Brockway
1938–1994
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