Alden Howard Adams (1919 - 1929)

Born 12 Apr 1919 in Jerauld County, South Dakota

Ancestors

Died 16 Aug 1929 at age 10 in Missouri River, 'The Pocket' Hughes County, South Dakota

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Biography

BOY DROWNED WHILE WADING MISSOURI Chamberlain, S.D., Aug.26--Alden Adams, Jr., a ten year old Ft. Thompson boy, was drowned, and three other children escaped death, while wading the Missouri river near Ft. Thompson. The four children were playing on a sand bar and fell into the deep water when attempting to return to shore. Rev. L.W. Walker, who was with the children, rescued three of them. The body of the Adams boy was found after an hour of searching.

River Claims One More Young Life

Alden Adams of Pocket Pleasure Party Victim

Friday at 2:30 P.M. Alden Adams, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Alden Adams, was drowned in the Missouri river. Rev. and Mrs. Walker have been conducting a vacation Bible school for the children of the vicinity, the morning being used for a course of Bible study and the afternoon for recreation and during the hot days for shelter from the heat, among the woods on the bank of the river. Friday after dinner Rev. Walker filled his car with seven boys and started for the timber. All went well until four of the boys stole a march on the Reverend and waded across to a sandbar to play. Instead of returning at the same place they ran west about 300 ft. and started to ford the stream when without warning they plunged into a large hole and sank out of sight. Rev. Walker was on the second or top bank and without undressing he jumped into the river. His right foot caught in some brush and it was fully two minutes before he could free himself. By the time he had swam to the spot the boys had gone down the second time. The first boy Mr. Walker rescued was Leonard McDowell. Bringing him to the bank he returned, dived and brought up Leland Lectch. Before he could reach the bank the boy revived and locked himself around Mr. Walkers leg, who had to hit him twice in order to break his hold. He then went out for Alden but was unsuccessful. He then got the six boys into his car and went for help. John Lectch and Leonard McDowell came to his relief. The latter undressed and equipped with rake and rope, directed by Mr. Walker, in five minutes brought up the lifeless body of Alden. Everything was done to bring life back to the little fellow but God had called him unto Himself.

In commenting on the rescue, Rev. Walker takes no credit for saving the two boys. He said if it was not for Verlin Leetch who was standing on the opposite bank, he would not have been successful. It was Verlin who directed Rev. Walker where to find the boys. Verlin also helped Donovan McDowell who jumped in, thinking the boys were playing. Rev. Walker feels keenly because he was unable to save Alden, who was the first to go down. It is one of those tragedies where there are river and boys, the river takes its toll annually. Alden was only nine years old, a fine cheerful little fellow full of life and a born leader. He is survived by six sisters and four brothers. The sympathy of the whole community goes out to the bereaved family. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. Monday at the Church of Ascension, Revs. Clark and Walker officiating, the church being taxed to its capacity and many outside. Revs. Clark and Walker met the casket as the church yard then came the four boys who acted as pall bearers; they were with him in life and death. The church school lined up on each side of the walk for the procession to pass through. Mrs. Walker was at the organ and played that solemn tune we have heard with aching hearts many times. Rev. Clark began the service. Rev. Walker read a portion of the 18th chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel and sang a solo "Face to Face" at the request of the parents and Rev. Clark preached the sermon. At the close of the service seven car loads of friends left on the 120 mile drive to Wessington Springs, Rev. Clark headed the funeral cortege carrying the casket, then the family and Rev. Walker and the boy pallbearers in their car. They arrived in Wessington Springs at 4:30; were met by relatives and friends and some 20 cars and escorted through town to the cemetery, where a brief service was conducted at the grave. The people of Wessington Springs were kind and hospital to the Adams family and funeral party, entertaining them overnight. If flowers were a token of love and esteem in which the people hold the Adams family, then they are rich indeed in friends.

Rev. David W. Clark of Ft. Thompson, Rev. and Mrs. Almer H. Walker of DeGrey and the little boys who were honorary pall bearers at the funeral of Alden H. Adams, Jr., stayed at the home of Clifford McVey Monday night. The rest who attended the funeral went home with their old neighbors south of town, the Andy Bolling, Wayne Hougland and Harry Monteith families. Mrs. Housten stayed with Veda Crist.

These are four newspaper clippings found in Nellie Dorcus Ferren Adams' possessions. Transcribed August 25, 2002 by Ellen L. Krull Miller

Sources