CRYSTAL LAKE CLAIMS VICTIM

Ervie McLouth Goes Down in Sight of Several Companions

Crystal Lake added one more to the list of drowning accidents which have occurred this season throughout Michigan, on Wednesday afternoon. Ervie McLouth, son of Mr. and Mrs. George McLouth sank to his death while swimming there within a few feet of shallow water and though the body was recovered within a few minutes, efforts at resuscitation proved futile.

The accident occurred early in the afternoon before many of the usual afternoon crowd of swimmers had arrived. McLouth, who was just learning to swim, had been in the water for a time and had gone out to the barrels which are anchored near the diving platform to warn the swimmers of the sharp drop in the bottom of the lake. He attempted to swim back to shallow water and evidently was not equal to the effort. He called out his danger but the other boys were not able to reach him or get the body out. Seymour Rider was secured as quickly as possible from his farm nearby, and he brought the body to the shore and rendered first aid. News was telephoned to town and several men responded immediately and continued to work over him but they could not get the heart started again.

The young man was just seventeen years old, Wednesday being his birthday and he was taking the afternoon off from his usual work to celebrate the occasion. Besides the grief stricken parents, he leaves twelve brothers and sisters besides numerous other relatives.

The funeral will be held this afternoon at the home, just east of Shelby.

Oceana Herald, 24 June 1921

Obituary: Ervie McLouth, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. George McLouth, was born in Benona June 22, 1904 and departed this life June 22, 1921 at the age of seventeen. He was a promising lad full of life and ambition, always thoughtful for those about him and always ready to serve others. For some time before his death he had been assisting his father in his well driving operations, but had taken the afternoon off in order to enjoy his seventeenth birthday, at the lake with several other companions. He had not been in the water long when taken with cramps,and was drowned in spite of all the frightened lads, who were near, could do. Ervie, who had lived in this vicinity all his life and leaves a host of sorrowing friends besides his grief stricken parents who deeply mourn his loss. Funeral services were held at the home east of town Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, Rev. R. E. Showerman officiating. Interment was made in the Benona cemetery.

Oceana Herald, 1 July 1921