Frightful Calamity

BECK, HANDEL

Posted By: Nettie Mae (email)
Date: 7/1/2024 at 11:58:54

Maquoketa Excelsior, 11 June 1887

Two Homes Made Desolate by the Drowning of Five Boys in the Maquoketa River Last Sunday.

The scene of this horrible accident is a point on the Maquoketa River about seven miles below this city. Last Sunday afternoon six boys met here to take a bath, but this time they got beyond their depth and into a sort of whirlpool. The four younger boys went in first and had been in but a short time before their frantic cries for help brought the other two to their assistance. But their efforts were unavailing. One of these two lost his own life trying to save the others; the other succeeded only in saving himself. He was careful not to get to where he could not touch bottom, but went as far as he could and then as he could accomplish nothing he screamed with all his might for help. But no help was near, and he was obliged to witness the drowning struggles of his two brother and their three companions without being able to render them the least assistance. The parents, honest German farmers living near the east line of Maquoketa Township, were nearly crazed with grief when they heard of the sad catastrophe.
Three of the boys were named Jacob, Conrad and Chris Beck, and were aged 11, 14 and 16 respectively. The other two lost boys were named Geo. and Paul Handel and were aged 10 and 12 years respectively. The eldest Handel boy escaped. Three of the bodies were recovered Monday, the other two not until Tuesday. All were buried Tuesday afternoon in the cemetery at Union Center. Rev. Schmidt of the German church in this city preached the funeral sermon. The attendance at the funeral was very large. No such frightful event has taken place in this county for many years.