Stephen O'Keeffe, Obituary/Death NoticePorter County obituaries and death notices . . . .
Stephen O'Keeffe
LITTLE STEVE'S FATE.
Drowned in Sight of His Companions.
Everybody nearly in Valparaiso knows Stephen O'Keeffe, always called Steve, the little son of James F. and Ellen O'Keeffe. Saturday afternoon Stephen walked out to Flint Lake and met Paul Thorne, Willie Thompson and Willie Mohnesser, with whom he went to the north side of the lake to bathe. A race was proposed, and swimming some distance beyond their depth they turned to swim back when Steve's strength suddenly gave out and he sank. In sinking he grabbed Thorne, the smallest of the boys, but the best swimmer, by the leg but Thorne broke the hold and tried to save him by holding him by the arm. The other boys in the meantime had run out a board, but as the unfortunate boy's feet had become entangled in the moss that grows from the bottom, he could not maintain his hold and after several unsuccessful struggles sank to the bottom.
It was nearly two hours before they could persuade a farmer near by of the fact of their companion's drowning, but he was at last convinced of its truth and diving to the bottom found the body tangled in weeds in only six feet of water.
Stephen had no reached his 12th birthday and was a bright, obedient child. His death in such a manner is a severe blow to his parents.
The funeral occurred at 10 o'clock this morning at the Catholic church.
Newspaper: Porter County Vidette
Date of Publication: July 23, 1885
Volume Number: 29
Issue Number: 30
Page: 3
Column(s): 3
Key to Newspaper Publication Locations:
Newspapers Published in Chesterton, Porter County, Indiana
Chesterton Tribune
The Tribune
Westchester Tribune
Newspapers Published in Valparaiso, Porter County, Indiana
Porter County Vidette
Practical Observer
Valparaiso Practical Observer
Vidette and Republic
Western Ranger
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Obituary/death notice transcribed by Steven R. Shook