Bridgewater Youth Drowns in LaHave Bridgewater Bulletin

Publication date: August 16, 1939.

Frank Joudrey, Jr., 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Joudrey, was drowned in the LaHave River Friday night at about eleven o'clock when a canoe in which he and Warren Lohnes, 17, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Lohnes, were paddling, capsized beween Himmelman's and Hall's wharves.

According to evidence given at the inquest Saturday morning before Coroner S.M. Zinck, when the canoe overturned, Lohnes cried out to his companion to cling to the canoe and he would swim ashore for help. Lohnes then struck out for shore and had gone some distance when he noticed young Joudrey was following him. Then he heard him cry,"I can't make it." Joudrey then disappeared beneath the surface. Lohnes was completely exhausted when he reached safety and was helped from the water by Percy Baker and J.E. Sorette.

It was also brought out in the evidence that two occupants of a dory, who had passed the canoe previous to the accident, heard cried for help but were unable to reach the spot in time to render assistance.

Shortly after the accident occurred the fire alarm was sounded and grappling operations were begun at once under direction of Chief W.A. Gow and Chief of Police O'Leary. Large crowds of people soon gathered to witness the rescue and to render any assistance possible. The body of young Joudrey was taken from the water by Archie Rafuse, W.A. Anderson, and Clarence Harlow around twelve o'clock when Dr. C.A. Donkin and Dr. C.G. MacKinnon, who were called to the scene, pronounced life extinct.

An inquest was ordered by Chief O'Leary and a jury empanelled by the coroner on Saturday morning brought in a verdict of death by accidental drowning. The jurors were Prescott Kaulback, foreman, Archie Rafuse, Everett Hall, John Brown, Fred Reeves, Jimmie Smith, Cyril Rhodenizer, J.G. Brignell, Robert McCarthy. Fred Rhodenizer, and Robert Taylor.

Joudrey is survived by his parents; three brothers and two sisters, Charlie, Douglas, Cecil, and Phyllis, at home; and Nellie of Montreal.

The funeral service was held from his home on Sunday afternoon at 4:40 o'clock from thence to Brookside Cemetery where the body was laid to rest. Rev. G.W. Bullock, rector of Holy Trinity Anglican Church, officiated.

With thanks to Rosemary Rafuse.