MR. JOHN R. ELLIS. ARVONIA, OSAGE, KANSAS.
Friday, January 4th, one of the saddest accidents that ever happened in this settlement occurred at Arvonia.Johnnie Ellis, the youngest son of Mr. and Mrs. Evan Ellis, who live about one mile northeast of Arvonia started to town on foot, in the afternoon, to do some errands. When going to town, he went along the road and over the iron bridge across the Marais de Cygnes river near Arvonia.
He transacted his business and started home between three and four o'clock. But instead of going back by way of the bridge, he cut across the fields back of town and intended crossing the river, which was froze, on the ice. When crossing the field he met Mr. J. J. Jones and asked him if he thought the ice was strong enough for him to go across on. Mr. Jones told him he thought it was not and cautioned him not to try it as it was too dangerous, but Johnnie said he would go down and try it anyhow.
Off he went towards the river and that was the last seen of him alive. He went on the treacherous ice, broke through and was drowned. His father was not home at the time, and his mother, seeing him so long in coming back, got uneasy and started to town in search for him. A party was soon gotten up to try and find him. They traced him down to the bank of the river, saw his tracks on the ice, and a little farther on they found a new broom, which he had with him. and his hat, near a big hole in the ice.
It is easier to imagine than to describe the agony of the poor mother when she saw all this. A search was at once made for the body but it could not be found anywhere. They worked hard all night until about one o'clock a.m., when they found his body in about ten feet of water quite a distance from where he fell in.
The funeral took place Sunday afternoon and the body was buried in the Arvonia cemetery. Revs. D. Todd Jones and D. G. Richards officiated on this sad occasion.
The deceased was cut off in the springtime of youth, being only sixteen years of age. The funeral was largely attended. He had a brother and sister in Kansas City, who were telegraphed and arrived in time for the funeral, and also has a brother in Colorado. He was borne to the grave by six of his young companions, who acted as pall bearers, viz: Willie G. Williams, Hugh Griffiths, Tommie Howells, of Lebo, Johnnie Jones, Willie Williams and Johnnie Evans.
Verily, the saying of the holy writ is truly that "in the midst of life we are in death." This is the first accidental drowning that has occurred in this vicinity since the beginning of Arvonia settlement - 20 years ago next spring. The heartfelt sympathy of the whole community is with the bereaved family in their sorrowful affliction.