History of Fayette County, Iowa,

A history of the County, its Cities, Towns Etc.

Illustrated.

Western Historical Company,

Successors to H. F. Kett & Co.

1878

Page 342

THE DROWNING OF YOUNG ROSIER

Early in June, 1849, several young men, among whom were Strphen Bailey, --- Sackett, --- Toombs, --- Ryan and Dickson or Dickinson, went to the cabin of William M. Rosier, on Section 32, Town 95, Range 8, and desired to go down to the Volga with them on a fishing excursion. He had a fine pair of horses and they said they wanted his team to haul their fish home. He declined to go that day, but said if they went, he would come down the next day and haul up the fish, and this arrangement was agreed upon. Accordingly, the next dy young Rosier drove down to the Volga where he found the party just at night, encamped in an Indian wigwam, that stood on the banks of the stream, near Padelford's ford, which was near Culver's old trading house. The next morning he was drowned, and following is the account given by his companions. Of course there were no other witnesses: "They were fishing with a seine or net, it seems, and after setting it the next morning, it was suggested that one of the party should go up stream and beat down with a pole to drive the fish into the net. One after another declined to go because they could not swim, until young Rosier said he would go--he could swim. He went, they said, and in wading down stream stepped into a hole, sunk and never rose. They trew a rail toward him, but he did not rise. Instead of making an effort to get him out, his companions started off to find a manto help, and it was some time before his body was recovered, which was done by dragging with the seine. They put his body in his wagon and drove him home to his cabin, but Henry Smith followed, had the body brought back to his house (as they said they were intending to dig a hole near his cabin and bury him there), where he recieved a decent burial. George N. Rosier states that his brother had several hundred dollars in silver and gold, but that none of it was found aftr his death. Whether he had it in a belt atound his person when he was drowned or whether it was concealed in his cabin has never been known. It is saidthat Ryan was afterward seen to have a belt full of silver and gold while at work harvesting near Padelford's that Fall.  It is also stated that when the cabin built by Rosier in 1848, and occupied by Jacob Hoover, after his death, was torn down , the workmen found a mortise in one of the timbers supporting the puncheon floor, that might have been made and used as a "safe" for his money, by the unfortunate young man. Public opinion was divided on the question whether Rosier was drowned accidentally--the prevailing impression favoring that construction--but that some one who knew where his money was kept stole it after his death, there can be but little doubt.