by Laurel | July 23rd, 2009
July 23, 190, page 4
The seventh drowning accident in Holyoke this summer occurred in the Connecticut river yesterday afternoon between 2 and 4. Alfred Parker, a 12 years old boy, living at 12 Dwight street, went to the river to bathe at a point a little above the saw-mill. At this place there is a sand bar extending a number of feet into the river, and the boy walked along this bar for some distance and stepped off into water 20 feet deep.
A companion, James Gilligan of Hampden street, saw him go down and gave the alarm, and James Sullivan of 21 John street hastened to the rescue and after diving twice brought up the body. It was too late, however, and the boy could not be resuscitated. Medical Examiner Frank Holyoke viewed the body and it was later taken to O’Donnell’s undertaking rooms. He leaves, besides his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Parker, one brother, and two sisters. The funeral will be held to-morrow morning, with services at St. Jerome’s church.
Excerpt from the Springfield Republican.
