William Calvet/Calvert
Sept. 1885-Aug. 3, 1937
Niles Daily Star, Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1937, page 1, col. 8, microfilm Niles District Library
Dam Worker Slips; Drowns at Paper Plant
William Calvet, 51, Swept Off by Current
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Companion Escapes
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Police Drag River for Body This Afternoon
William Calvet, 51, Niles, drowned in the St. Joseph river at the French Paper company dam at 9:30 o'clock this morning. Calvet's companion Joseph File, R. 3, Niles, clung to a ledge on the dam until he was hauled to safety by other employes of the company.
Both men, employed as millwrights, were repairing the dam when the tragedy occurred.
According to File, they were working without safety belts, as they had on numerous previous occasions.
Mr. File said he had asked Calvet for aid in placing a board. On his way to assist, Calvet slipped and was caught in the current.
Search For Body
Particularly swift at this point the . . [illegible] . .to knock File's feet out from under him.
However, he was washed over the dam Mr. File clamped a vice-like grip on a protruding plank and clung to it until he was pulled to safety.
Calvet's body was hurled into the bed of the river. It is believed that he was knocked unconscious when this head was dashed against the rocks, approximately 30 feet below.
Niles police were called and with the aid of a cable stretched across the river by the Bell Telephone company were dragging for Calvet's body this afternoon.
Niles Daily Star, Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1937, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
HIGH WATER HALTS SEARCH FOR VICTIM
Police Give up Search When Rising River Hampers Activity
Hampered by rising water Niles police were forced to give up dragging the St. Joseph river shortly before noon today for the body of William Calvet, 51, who drowned Tuesyay morning.
Aided by a cable stretched across the river by the Michigan Bell Telephone company, police searched the river bed until 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon. The resumed the search at 7 o'clock this morning.
Calvet, a millwright employed by the Frendch paper company, was drowned when he was caught in the swift current and washed over the dam.
His companion, Joseph File, R. 3, Niles, was also caught in the current, but managed to cling to a protruding board on the dam until he was hauled to safety.
Both Calvet and File were engaged in repairing the dam when the tragedy occurred.
Niles Daily Star, Thursday, Aug. 5, 1937, page 1, col. 3, microfilm Niles District Library
BODY OF DROWNING VICTIM RECOVERED
Sighted This Morning 100 Yards Below Scene of Tragedy.
Ending a three day search by Niles police the body of William Calvet, 51 , Niles, Berrien county's thirteenth drowing victim, was taken from the St. Joseph river at 11:30 o'clock this morning.
The body was sighted by Joseph File, R. 3, Niles, as it floated down the river about 100 feet from the east bank, and approximately 100 yards below the French paper Mill dam.
Sighted By Workers
File and William Wages, another employe at the French plant, ran to the foot bridge below the dam, and with the aid of a grappling hook caught the body as it floated under the bridge.
File had been working with Calvet on the dam Tuesday morning when the tragedy occurred. Together they were engaged in placing flash boards. Caught in the swift current, both lost their balance, but File managed to cling to a protruding board until rescued.
Give up Search
Niles police dragged the river for three hours this morning but were unsuccessful in their search.
Calvet was single, and is believed to have a sister in Michigan City. However, efforts by police to locate her have proved futile.
The body was taken to the Rutherford funeral home where an inquest will be conducted Friday morning by Coroner Louis Kerlikowske.
Niles Daily Star, Friday, Aug. 6, 1937, page 2, col. 1, microfilm Niles District Library
DROWNING VICTIM'S SERVICE SATURDAY
William Calvert, Native of Michigan City, to be Buried in Niles
Final rites for William Calvert, 51, Niles, will be held at 2:30 o'clcok Saturday afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home.
The Rev. Fr. George P. Horkan of St. Mary's Roman Catholic church will conduct the services. Burial will be in Silverbrook cemetery.
Calvert, an employe of the French Paper mill, drowned in the St. Joseph river Tuesday morning while working on the company dam.
He was born in Michigan City in September, 1885, and had lived in Niles for a number of years. He was never marrried.
Surviving are three sisters, Mrs. J.C.Ritter and Mrs. Berle Jellison, both of Mihcigan City, and Mrs. John Hogan, Chicago; also one brother, John, Washington, Ind.
Coroner Louis J. Kerlikowske conducted an investigation this morning and returned a verdict of "accidental death by drowning." No inquest will be held.
Niles Daily Star, Saturday, Aug. 7, 1937, page 2, col. 2, microfilm Niles District Library
CALVERT RITES HELD
The Rev. Fr. George P. Horkan conducted funeral services at 2:30 o'clock this afternoon in the Rutherford funeral home for William Calvert, 51. Mr. Calvert was drowned Tuesday in the St. Joseph River at the French Paper mill dam. William Wages, A.B. James, Fred Knott, Wallace McLaughlin, Joseph File and O.K Brockway, served as pallbearers. Burial was in Silverbrook cemetery.
Note: Death record spells name as Calvert.
