RIVER CLAIMS FIRST DROWNING VICTIM
WALTER ZELEWSKE JR. AGED 13, LOSES LIFE AT RAPIDS TUESDAY WHEN HE WADES INTO HOLE
Companions Become Panic Stricken and Fail To Rescue Him - Max Mrotek, 9, Rescued By His Older Brother From a Similar Fate-Nine Boys in Party In the first drowning fatality of the present summer in Manitowoc, Walter Zelewske, Jr., aged 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., 932 South Twenty-third street lost his life in the upper Manitowoc river, near the first Rapids bridge late Tuesday afternoon. Zelewske was one of a party of nine boys who had gone swimming at the Rapids. Most of them were from the west side here, others in the party being boys from Rapids. It came close to being a double tragedy for Max Mrotek, aged nine years, was rescued by his brother Arthur, 11, after he had stepped into the same hole that Zelewske stumbled into, while wading out from the bank of the stream.
Body Recovered in 2 Hours
The drowning occurred shortly before three o'clock in the afternoon, and it was nearly two hours later before M. Schettl and Harold Weisner, dragging the river bottom from a row boat with an improvised drag made from barbed wire torn from an adjoining fence, succeeded in locating the body and bringing it to the surface. Reports of the drowning, as told by Zelewskie's companions vary considerably, but it is evident that his companions became panic stricken when they saw the Zelewske boy sink from sight and although he came up three times they failed to rescue him. During his struggle in the water Zelewske grabbed the arm of Paul Weina, one of the boys in the group but the latter succeeded in breaking his hold and swimming
to safety. The Weina boy is a son of Robert Weina, South Twenty-fifth street, who is at the hospital here with a fractured skull, as a result of an automobile accident near Whitelaw last Sunday.
Leaves Homes After Dinner
The Zelewske boy, in company with Arthur and Max Mrotek and Paul Weina set out from their homes on the west side shortly after dinner yesterday for the Rapids to go swimming in the river. They selected a spot near the old picnic ground, where the river bends just before reaching the first Rapids bridge. Near this spot is a hole, which is eight feet deep and it is said that an older boy warned the youngsters not to go near the spot. The Mrotek boys said that they were wading about the river and with Zelewske suddenly got in beyond their depth. Neither Zelewske nor the younger Mrotek could swim. The former suffered from rupture and although 13 years of age did not seem to be over ten. Arthur Mrotek who could swim came to the rescue and succeeded in pulling his brother from his precarious
position.
Villagers Drag River
By this time the alarm had spread. Young Zelewske had come up three times, each time clutching weeds in his hand, which he had grabbed when he sank to the bottom. The alarm spread to the village of Rapids and men from there came to aid in the search for the boy. Several tried diving into the deep part where Zelewske had disappeared but failed to locate the body. It was then that Schettl and Wiesner in a boat with the wire drag started operations and located the body after an hour's work. It was brought to the bank and later taken to the Shimek & Schwartz undertaking parlors, and the parents notified. In the meantime the other boys had dressed hastily and departed for their homes. In addition to the two Mrotek brothers and Paul Weina, the party included Arnold and Clarence Reimers, Leonard Turchinski, Lew Ensign and Clarence Warunda.
Home A Sad One
The Zelewske home was a sad one last night and today. The mother of the drowned lad has just recently recovered from a serious illness and had been up and about but a few days.
Besides the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., two brothers, Norbert and Arthur and two sisters, Elizabeth and Eva survive. The boy was a student at the St. Mary's parochial school and had just completed the fifth grade. Funeral services will take place Friday morning from the St. Mary's Catholic church.
Manitowoc Herald News, Manitowoc, Wis. Wednesday, July 11, 1928 P. 2
WALTER ZELEWSKE JR. AGED 13, LOSES LIFE AT RAPIDS TUESDAY WHEN HE WADES INTO HOLE
Companions Become Panic Stricken and Fail To Rescue Him - Max Mrotek, 9, Rescued By His Older Brother From a Similar Fate-Nine Boys in Party In the first drowning fatality of the present summer in Manitowoc, Walter Zelewske, Jr., aged 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., 932 South Twenty-third street lost his life in the upper Manitowoc river, near the first Rapids bridge late Tuesday afternoon. Zelewske was one of a party of nine boys who had gone swimming at the Rapids. Most of them were from the west side here, others in the party being boys from Rapids. It came close to being a double tragedy for Max Mrotek, aged nine years, was rescued by his brother Arthur, 11, after he had stepped into the same hole that Zelewske stumbled into, while wading out from the bank of the stream.
Body Recovered in 2 Hours
The drowning occurred shortly before three o'clock in the afternoon, and it was nearly two hours later before M. Schettl and Harold Weisner, dragging the river bottom from a row boat with an improvised drag made from barbed wire torn from an adjoining fence, succeeded in locating the body and bringing it to the surface. Reports of the drowning, as told by Zelewskie's companions vary considerably, but it is evident that his companions became panic stricken when they saw the Zelewske boy sink from sight and although he came up three times they failed to rescue him. During his struggle in the water Zelewske grabbed the arm of Paul Weina, one of the boys in the group but the latter succeeded in breaking his hold and swimming
to safety. The Weina boy is a son of Robert Weina, South Twenty-fifth street, who is at the hospital here with a fractured skull, as a result of an automobile accident near Whitelaw last Sunday.
Leaves Homes After Dinner
The Zelewske boy, in company with Arthur and Max Mrotek and Paul Weina set out from their homes on the west side shortly after dinner yesterday for the Rapids to go swimming in the river. They selected a spot near the old picnic ground, where the river bends just before reaching the first Rapids bridge. Near this spot is a hole, which is eight feet deep and it is said that an older boy warned the youngsters not to go near the spot. The Mrotek boys said that they were wading about the river and with Zelewske suddenly got in beyond their depth. Neither Zelewske nor the younger Mrotek could swim. The former suffered from rupture and although 13 years of age did not seem to be over ten. Arthur Mrotek who could swim came to the rescue and succeeded in pulling his brother from his precarious
position.
Villagers Drag River
By this time the alarm had spread. Young Zelewske had come up three times, each time clutching weeds in his hand, which he had grabbed when he sank to the bottom. The alarm spread to the village of Rapids and men from there came to aid in the search for the boy. Several tried diving into the deep part where Zelewske had disappeared but failed to locate the body. It was then that Schettl and Wiesner in a boat with the wire drag started operations and located the body after an hour's work. It was brought to the bank and later taken to the Shimek & Schwartz undertaking parlors, and the parents notified. In the meantime the other boys had dressed hastily and departed for their homes. In addition to the two Mrotek brothers and Paul Weina, the party included Arnold and Clarence Reimers, Leonard Turchinski, Lew Ensign and Clarence Warunda.
Home A Sad One
The Zelewske home was a sad one last night and today. The mother of the drowned lad has just recently recovered from a serious illness and had been up and about but a few days.
Besides the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., two brothers, Norbert and Arthur and two sisters, Elizabeth and Eva survive. The boy was a student at the St. Mary's parochial school and had just completed the fifth grade. Funeral services will take place Friday morning from the St. Mary's Catholic church.
Manitowoc Herald News, Manitowoc, Wis. Wednesday, July 11, 1928 P. 2
RIVER CLAIMS FIRST DROWNING VICTIM
WALTER ZELEWSKE JR. AGED 13, LOSES LIFE AT RAPIDS TUESDAY WHEN HE WADES INTO HOLE
Companions Become Panic Stricken and Fail To Rescue Him - Max Mrotek, 9, Rescued By His Older Brother From a Similar Fate-Nine Boys in Party In the first drowning fatality of the present summer in Manitowoc, Walter Zelewske, Jr., aged 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., 932 South Twenty-third street lost his life in the upper Manitowoc river, near the first Rapids bridge late Tuesday afternoon. Zelewske was one of a party of nine boys who had gone swimming at the Rapids. Most of them were from the west side here, others in the party being boys from Rapids. It came close to being a double tragedy for Max Mrotek, aged nine years, was rescued by his brother Arthur, 11, after he had stepped into the same hole that Zelewske stumbled into, while wading out from the bank of the stream.
Body Recovered in 2 Hours
The drowning occurred shortly before three o'clock in the afternoon, and it was nearly two hours later before M. Schettl and Harold Weisner, dragging the river bottom from a row boat with an improvised drag made from barbed wire torn from an adjoining fence, succeeded in locating the body and bringing it to the surface. Reports of the drowning, as told by Zelewskie's companions vary considerably, but it is evident that his companions became panic stricken when they saw the Zelewske boy sink from sight and although he came up three times they failed to rescue him. During his struggle in the water Zelewske grabbed the arm of Paul Weina, one of the boys in the group but the latter succeeded in breaking his hold and swimming
to safety. The Weina boy is a son of Robert Weina, South Twenty-fifth street, who is at the hospital here with a fractured skull, as a result of an automobile accident near Whitelaw last Sunday.
Leaves Homes After Dinner
The Zelewske boy, in company with Arthur and Max Mrotek and Paul Weina set out from their homes on the west side shortly after dinner yesterday for the Rapids to go swimming in the river. They selected a spot near the old picnic ground, where the river bends just before reaching the first Rapids bridge. Near this spot is a hole, which is eight feet deep and it is said that an older boy warned the youngsters not to go near the spot. The Mrotek boys said that they were wading about the river and with Zelewske suddenly got in beyond their depth. Neither Zelewske nor the younger Mrotek could swim. The former suffered from rupture and although 13 years of age did not seem to be over ten. Arthur Mrotek who could swim came to the rescue and succeeded in pulling his brother from his precarious
position.
Villagers Drag River
By this time the alarm had spread. Young Zelewske had come up three times, each time clutching weeds in his hand, which he had grabbed when he sank to the bottom. The alarm spread to the village of Rapids and men from there came to aid in the search for the boy. Several tried diving into the deep part where Zelewske had disappeared but failed to locate the body. It was then that Schettl and Wiesner in a boat with the wire drag started operations and located the body after an hour's work. It was brought to the bank and later taken to the Shimek & Schwartz undertaking parlors, and the parents notified. In the meantime the other boys had dressed hastily and departed for their homes. In addition to the two Mrotek brothers and Paul Weina, the party included Arnold and Clarence Reimers, Leonard Turchinski, Lew Ensign and Clarence Warunda.
Home A Sad One
The Zelewske home was a sad one last night and today. The mother of the drowned lad has just recently recovered from a serious illness and had been up and about but a few days.
Besides the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., two brothers, Norbert and Arthur and two sisters, Elizabeth and Eva survive. The boy was a student at the St. Mary's parochial school and had just completed the fifth grade. Funeral services will take place Friday morning from the St. Mary's Catholic church.
Manitowoc Herald News, Manitowoc, Wis. Wednesday, July 11, 1928 P. 2
WALTER ZELEWSKE JR. AGED 13, LOSES LIFE AT RAPIDS TUESDAY WHEN HE WADES INTO HOLE
Companions Become Panic Stricken and Fail To Rescue Him - Max Mrotek, 9, Rescued By His Older Brother From a Similar Fate-Nine Boys in Party In the first drowning fatality of the present summer in Manitowoc, Walter Zelewske, Jr., aged 13, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., 932 South Twenty-third street lost his life in the upper Manitowoc river, near the first Rapids bridge late Tuesday afternoon. Zelewske was one of a party of nine boys who had gone swimming at the Rapids. Most of them were from the west side here, others in the party being boys from Rapids. It came close to being a double tragedy for Max Mrotek, aged nine years, was rescued by his brother Arthur, 11, after he had stepped into the same hole that Zelewske stumbled into, while wading out from the bank of the stream.
Body Recovered in 2 Hours
The drowning occurred shortly before three o'clock in the afternoon, and it was nearly two hours later before M. Schettl and Harold Weisner, dragging the river bottom from a row boat with an improvised drag made from barbed wire torn from an adjoining fence, succeeded in locating the body and bringing it to the surface. Reports of the drowning, as told by Zelewskie's companions vary considerably, but it is evident that his companions became panic stricken when they saw the Zelewske boy sink from sight and although he came up three times they failed to rescue him. During his struggle in the water Zelewske grabbed the arm of Paul Weina, one of the boys in the group but the latter succeeded in breaking his hold and swimming
to safety. The Weina boy is a son of Robert Weina, South Twenty-fifth street, who is at the hospital here with a fractured skull, as a result of an automobile accident near Whitelaw last Sunday.
Leaves Homes After Dinner
The Zelewske boy, in company with Arthur and Max Mrotek and Paul Weina set out from their homes on the west side shortly after dinner yesterday for the Rapids to go swimming in the river. They selected a spot near the old picnic ground, where the river bends just before reaching the first Rapids bridge. Near this spot is a hole, which is eight feet deep and it is said that an older boy warned the youngsters not to go near the spot. The Mrotek boys said that they were wading about the river and with Zelewske suddenly got in beyond their depth. Neither Zelewske nor the younger Mrotek could swim. The former suffered from rupture and although 13 years of age did not seem to be over ten. Arthur Mrotek who could swim came to the rescue and succeeded in pulling his brother from his precarious
position.
Villagers Drag River
By this time the alarm had spread. Young Zelewske had come up three times, each time clutching weeds in his hand, which he had grabbed when he sank to the bottom. The alarm spread to the village of Rapids and men from there came to aid in the search for the boy. Several tried diving into the deep part where Zelewske had disappeared but failed to locate the body. It was then that Schettl and Wiesner in a boat with the wire drag started operations and located the body after an hour's work. It was brought to the bank and later taken to the Shimek & Schwartz undertaking parlors, and the parents notified. In the meantime the other boys had dressed hastily and departed for their homes. In addition to the two Mrotek brothers and Paul Weina, the party included Arnold and Clarence Reimers, Leonard Turchinski, Lew Ensign and Clarence Warunda.
Home A Sad One
The Zelewske home was a sad one last night and today. The mother of the drowned lad has just recently recovered from a serious illness and had been up and about but a few days.
Besides the parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Zelewske, Sr., two brothers, Norbert and Arthur and two sisters, Elizabeth and Eva survive. The boy was a student at the St. Mary's parochial school and had just completed the fifth grade. Funeral services will take place Friday morning from the St. Mary's Catholic church.
Manitowoc Herald News, Manitowoc, Wis. Wednesday, July 11, 1928 P. 2
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
