Fowler, Walter

Walter Fowler
Died July 25, 1885

    Saturday evening, about seven o'clock, in company with lady and gentlemen friends, Walter Fowler went in bathing at Barren Lake, a few rods east of Platt's ice houses.  Attired in pants and a woolen shirt, C.W. Halloway accompanied him in a row boat.  They pulled out into waters near ten feet deep.  Walter was not an expert swimmer, but he dove from the boat, Halloway following. As soon as the latter came up he asked: "How deep is the water there, Walt?" Fowler muttered something but was not understood. Nothing was thought of the answer and Halloway dove again. Being on opposite sides of the boat from each other, and both hid from view, it was not thought of that anything could be wrong, but Walter had made his last dive and he was lost sight of. The women on shore called attention first to his drowning and immediate search was initiated. He could not be found.  The word soon spread and willing hands began a search for the body, but it was not until Sunday afternoon that the remains were found, Dave Carrott diving down from a boat, bringing them to the surface.  Indications of being bruised on the face were apparent, and it is generally supposed that when he dove he struck the ground with much force and was stunned.  Walter Fowler was 19 years old, of good disposition, and was the family favorite, beloved by all.  His remains were interred in Silver Brook cemetery on Monday, a large concourse of people accompanying them to their last resting place.
    Father, mother, three brothers and four sisters are left to mourn his loss.

(Source:  Niles Mirror, Wednesday, July 29, 1885, page 4 col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library)

and

    Last Saturday evening about 7 o'clock Walter Fowler was drowned in Barron Lake.  He and Mr. C.W. Halloway, of this city, went out in a boat for the purpose of bathing, and when in water about ten feet deep they commenced diving from the boat, jumping into the water from opposite sides.  Young Fowler had dived once and came up, but on going down again he failed to rise.  The alarm was given at once and many of his friends and neighbors made diligent search for the body, but it was not recovered until Sunday afternoon when it was brought to the surface by Mr. David Carrett who dived from a boat and secured it.  The face was somewhat bruised, and it is thought that when diving he struck the bottom and was stunned and probably strangled.  Mrs. Fowler was 19 years old and a general favorite. His untimely death, coming as it did just as he was verging into manhood, has caused much sadness in the community where he was so well known. To the large family circle the blow is a sad one indeed.  The body was buried in Silver Brook cemetery on Monday and the funeral was largely attended.

(Source Niles Democrat, Saturday, August 1, 1885, page 5, col. 4, microfilm Niles District Library)

also

WALTER FOWLER, of Niles township, was drowned while bathing In Barren Lake Saturday. He is a relative of Doc Fowler of this place.

(Source:  Buchanan Record, Thursday, July 30, 1885, page 5, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library)

Note: Per Death Record, son of Thomas and Margaret Fowler