William H. Conklin (abt. 1902 - 1915)

Born about 1902 in New Jersey, United States

Ancestors

Died 12 Sep 1915 at about age 13 in New Jersey, United States

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Biography

William H. Conklin was born in 1902, in New Jersey, to William H. Conklin and Lillian Willey. ^[1]

In 1910, he was living with his parents and siblings, at 55 Waverly, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey. His father was a proover, in photo engraving. ^[2]

William Conklin died young.

On 12 September 1915, he drowned, in the Hudson River. He went on a YMCA hike, which was originally supposed to be led by the director, but was actually led by a 16-year-old Boy Scout patrol leader, because the director had urgent business. They hiked five miles from Palisade Park to Interstate Park, walked to the Hudson River, had lunch, and then swam starting about 4 PM. The leader was swimming with them, left the water and told them to exit, but just assumed they would follow his order, without checking. The boys did not return to shore immediately, and Conklin, John McRae, and Charles D. Meyer got into trouble. Two boys (Elbert Friedlein and Herman Michaels) tried to help them; Meyer grabbed Friedlein, who had to break free of him. The three boys never resurfaced. ^{[3] [4] [5]}

On 15 September, a joint funeral was held at the YMCA headquarters. William Conklin was then buried in Moranian Cemetery, New Dorp, Staten Island (Richmond County), New York. ^{[6] [7]}

Sources

1. ↑ 'Index of Births in New Jersey' p.167, William H Conklin; image copy, Ancestry (https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/61252/images/46996_543874-00169 : accessed 20 January 2023); citing 1902.

   '[name of child] William H [parents] " [sc. Conklin] William H + Lilian [sic] [no.] 15652'

2. ↑ 1910 U.S. census, ward 11, Jersey City, Hudson County, New Jersey, population schedule, enumeration distrit 204, p.107 B stamped = sheet 9 B penned, family 143; image copy, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRJT-99PX : accessed 19 January 2023).

   55 Waverly, rented

   head William H Conklin, male, white, 47, married once for 14 years, born New Jersey, proover, photo engraving, not out of work 15 April, 0 weeks out of work in 1909

   wife Lillian E -, female, white, 38, married once for 14 years, 3 children, 3 living, born New Jersey, no occupation

   daughter Frances L -, female, white, 13, single, born New Jersey, no occupation, attended school

   son Robert B -, male, white, 9, single, born New Jersey, no occupation, attended school

   son William H -, male, white, 7, single, born New Jersey, no occupation, attended school

   mother Louisa -, female, white, 74, widowed, 6 children, 3 living, born New York, no occupation

3. ↑ 'William Conklin', memorial 199805388, created by BKGeni, 6 June 2019, maintained by Bobby Kelley; database, Find a Grave (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/199805388/william-conklin : accessed 19 January 2023); citing Moravian Cemetery, New Dorp, Richmond County (Staten Island), New York; no pictures or sources; Find A Grave: Memorial #199805388.
4. ↑ '3 Boy Scouts Drowned On A Y.M.C.A. Outing', The Jersey Journal, Monday, 13 September 1915, p.1, cols.7-8; image copy, GeneaogyBank (https://www.genealogybank.com/ : accessed 19 January 2023).

   '3 BOY SCOUTS DROWNED ON A Y.M.C.A. OUTING

   'Hudson City Victims Were Pushing Log in Hudson River When They Suddenly Stepped Into Deep Water and Sank In Swift Current, Before Eyes of Companions.

   'WOULD-BE RESCUER HAD TO BREAK "STRANGLE HOLD" OF ONE

   'After an unsuccessful attempt by comrades to save their lives, Charles D. Meyer, 14 years old of 475 Palisade Avenue; John McRae, 14 years old of 207 Ogden Avenue, and William Conklin, 13 years old of 55 Waverly Street, all members of the Boy Scouts, were drowned in the Hudson River just above Bloomer's Landing near the Dyckman Ferry Saturday afternoon. The bodies have not yet been recovered.

   'It is said by those who witnessed the fatality that the current at the above mentioned place in the river is very strong and it is believed that the bodies were carried for some distance down the river.

   'Horace J. Sheppard, general secretary and director of the Hudson City Y.M.C.A. organized a hike for several of the youthful members of the association last week. Mr. Sheppard stated last night thvt he had intended accompanying the boys on the trip as was his custom, but at the last moment found it would be impossible for him to go on account of urgent business. He appointed Walter Spellmeyer, 16 years old, of 36 Armstrong Avenue, a patrol leader of the Scouts, to take charge of the party. In addition to the drowned lads, Elbert Friedlein, 13 years old of 129 Boorsein Avenue, Chester Schuesser, 15 years old of 7 Ilutton Street; Herman Michaels, 11 years old of 338 Ogden Avenue, and his younger brother, Edward, and Albert Ammon, of 2 Webster Avenue, made the trip. It happened that while the affair was only a Y.M.C.A. event, all those in the party with the exception of two, were members of the Boy Scouts.

   'The boys in charge of Spellmyer left the Y.M.C.A. rooms in Palisade Avenue at 9 o'clock Saturday morning. They took the car to Palisade Park after which they hiked five miles to Interstate Park where they continued to the Hudson River shore just above Bloomer's landing and had lunch. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon the boys de-

   '(Continued on Third Page.) (Fourth Column.)

   'cided to go in for a swim. They seemed unmindful of the swift undercurrent in the river at this point and were unaware of their danger. According to a statement made by Mr. Sheppard last night, the river was at low tide and the boys were swimming near shore when they spied a log. They conceived the idea of riding on the floating log. One story had it that the three drowned boys, Meyer, McRae and Conklin, who could not swim, were grasping the log while two other boys who could swim were swimming and pushing it at the same time. This could not be corroborated, however.

   'After the boys had been in the water for some time, Spellmeyer, it is said, told the boys to come to shore. Spellmeyer, who had been swimming, left to get dressed. According to Mr. Sheppard, the rule of discipline taught by Mr. John Kreher, a director at the Y.M.C.A., is to issue orders but once to the boys, and they are supposed to obey them. This was what Spellmeyer relied upon. It was after the latter left that the boys became imperilled and called for help.

   'The three ill-fated boys were pushing the log and walking the shallow water when they suddenly stepped into deeper water. The boys were struggling when Friedlein and Herman Michaels, two of the scouts, swam out to their assistance. Friedlein, thinking McRae could swim, went past him and went to Meyer's aid. The latter got a death grip on him and pulled him beneath the water. In an effort to break the grip Friedlein tried to strike Meyer to render him unconscious, but could not administer a telling blow beneath the water. Finally Friedlein broke the grip, but Meyer did not reappear above the water. Michaels then swam out to McRae, but he too disappeared beneath the water, as did Conklin. According to those who witnessed the drowning, none of the boys after going down the first time rose again to the surface. This may be attributed to the strong undercurrent of the river.

   'Simultaneous with the cries for help, one of the Interstate Park patrolmen with three men attired in bathing suits hurried to the scene. Their efforts to find the boys after continued diving also proved fruitless. A woman present threw out a life-belt with the hope the stricken lads might reappear on the surface, but to no avail.

   'Mr. Sheppard on learning the facts hastened to the spot. He interviewed Mayor Rope of Cliffside, who immediately obtained the co-operation of park employes to aid in the search for the bodies. Two men with grappling irons worked all Saturday afternoon and late in the evening endeavoring to find the bodies. Two more were added yesterday, making a total of four searching for the bodies, but no trace of them was revealed. Mr. Sheppard went to the scene again yesterday as did Messrs. McRae and Conklin, fathers of two of the stricken boys. Andrew Knox took the fathers in his automobile.

   'Little Charles D. Meyer, whose father and mother are dead, resided with his three sisters and brother at the home of his uncle, Frederick Meyer. Mr. Meyer said last night that had he known his nephew was not going under the leadership of an older man, he never would have allowed him to take the trip. He said he thought they were only going as far as Palisade Park to swim in the pool there, and even then he said he was solicitous for the lad's welfare. Mr. Conklin said he also was of the opinion the boys were to be accompanied on the trip by Mr. Sheppard.

   '"I don't wish to criticize or make trouble for any man," said Mr. Conklin. "My boy is one and no good can come from it, but I certainly would never let him swim in one of the most dangerous points in the river. Why the ferryboats at the Dyckman ferry there even have a hard time landing because of the swift current."

   'Mrs. McRae, mother of John McRae, was in a state of collapse last night. She said her boy told her he was going with an older boy as leader, but felt confident everything would be all right.

   'Mr. Sheppard said he intended taking the trip until practically the day before, but thought the parents knew he was not going. He said all the patrol leaders at the Y.M.C.A. knew he was not going. He was very much broken up over the affair. All the boys attended grammar school and were considered model pupils.'

5. ↑ 'Bodies of 2 Drowned Y.M.C.A. Boys Found', Jersey Journal, Tuesday, 14 September 1915, p.1, col.5; image copy, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com/ : accessed 19 January 2023).

   'BODIES OF 2 DROWNED Y.M.C.A. BOYS FOUND

   'They Are Those of Charles D. Meyers and John McRae—Funeral at Y.M.C.A. Rooms Tomorrow.

   'The bodies of Charles D. Meyer, 11 years old, of 175 Palisade Avenue, and John McRae, 11 years old, of 207 Ogden Avenue, two of the Boy Scouts who were drowned in the Hudson River near the Dyckman Ferry Saturday while they were on a Y.M.C.A. outing, have been recovered. The body of the third body [sic], William Conklin, 13 years old, of 55 Waverly Street, has not yet been found.

   'Meyer's body was found floating on the surface of the river near Pier D of the Erie Railroad in Weehawken. It was removed to Volk's Morgue, Washington Street, Hoboken, and County Physician King was notified. Frederick W. Meyer, the drowned lad's older brother, went to the Morgue and identified it. It was then released by Dr. King and removed to John L. Burke's undertaker parlor, 469 Palisade Avenue. McRae's body was discovered by an Interstate Park patrolman in the Dyckman ferry slip in close proximity to Bloomer's Landing, at which point the lads were drowned. It was removed to McNally's Morgue in Englewood and upon identification was also taken to Burke's shop.

   'Because of the condition of the bodies, Mr. Burke expressed the opinion they should be buried to-day, but arrangements have been made in order to hold the funeral services to-morrow. The bodies will be removed to the Y.M.C.A. headquarters, 305 Palisade Avenue, to-morrow afternoon, where a double funeral will be held. Rev. Mr. Malcolm Shipley of Trinity Church, Hoboken, will conduct the funeral services for the Meyer boy, while Rev. Mr. H. T. Beatty of the First Presbyterian Church, Hoboken, will officiate at the services for McRae. Special services will also be conducted by the Boy Scouts, of which organization both of the lads were prominent members. Meyers will be buried in Fairview Cemetery and McRae in Machpelah Cemetery, New Durham.

   'The Y.M.C.A. headquarters has taken on a sombre aspect. The building on all sides has been draped in deep mourning and a large American flag, bordered with black and white, has been displayed.'

6. ↑ 'Triple Funeral of Drowned Y.M.C.A. Boys', Jersey Journal, Wednesday, 15 September 1915. p.1, col.4; image copy, GenealogyBank (https://www.genealogybank.com/ : accessed 19 January 2023).

   'Triple Funeral of Drowned Y.M.C.A. Boys

   'Last of the Bodies Recovered from the Hudson River Yesterday.

   'Since the body of William Conklin, 13 years old, of 55 Waverly Street, which until yesterday afternoon was the only one of the three Boy Scouts drowned on the Y.M.C.A. outing Saturday to be missing, has been recovered, a triple funeral will be conducted from the Y.M.C.A. headquarters, 305 Palisade Avenue, this afternoon instead of a double one as arranged yesterday.

   'Conlin's body was picked up in the Dyckman ferry slip, near the place where McRae's body was found the day before. The bodies of Meyer, McRae and Conklin will all be removed to the Y.M.C.A. headquarters this afternoon, where funeral services will take place at 2 o'clock.

   'Rev. Mr. B. T. Beatty of the First Presbyterian Church, Hoboken, will conduct the services for McRae; Rev. Mr. G. H. Wilson of the Waverly Congregational Church, Booraem and Pallsade avenues, will officiate at the services for Conklin, and Rev. Mr. Brashinski of the Lutheran Church in Bowers Street will preach the services for Meyer. Meyer will be buried in Fairview Cemetery, McRae in Macpelah Cemetery, New Durham, and Conklin in the New Dorp Cemetery.

   'The eighteen remaining scouts in Troop 6 will serve as pallbearers at the funeral. Mr. J. H. Kreber, physical director of the Y.M.C.A. at Cortland, N.Y., has returned to this city to assume charge of the scouts. At the conclusion of the services the scout buglers will sound taps and each cortege will pass on to its destination.'

7. ↑ 'Throngs Pay Last Tribute to Three Drowned Boys', Jersey Journal Thursday, 16 September 1915, p.2, cols.5-6; image copy, GenealogyBank (www.genealogybank.com/ : accessed 19 January 2023).

   'THRONGS PAY TRIBUTE TO THREE DROWNED BOYS

   'Triple Funeral Service Is Held at Hudson City Y.M.C.A. to Which Unfortunate Lads Belonged—Floral Offerings Profuse and Beautiful.

   'Throngs crowded the Y.M.C.A. headquarters, 305 Palisade Avenue, and lined both sides of the street in the vicinity of the building yesterday afternoon while funeral services were being conducted for the three Boy Scouts who were drowned on the Y.M.C.A. outing Saturday. So large was the assemblage that the reserves from the Central Avenue police station had to be called out to keep them in bounds.

   'Promptly at 2 o'clock three hearses, bearing the bodies of William Conklin, 13 yevrs old, of 55 Waverly Street; Charles D. Meyer, 14 years old, of 475 Palisade Avenue, and John McRae, 11 years old, of 207 Ogden Avenue, drove up to the Y.M.C.A. [illegible, presumably 'Many'] in the crowd doffed their hats and many of the women wept audibly. The hearses were met by the eighteen remaining members of Troop 6 of the Boy Scouts, of which the deceased were members. J. H. Kreher, former scoutmaster of the troop, and Horace J. Sheppard, general secretary of the Y.M.C.A. The scouts, including six boys who were on the outing at the time their fellow members were drowned, acted as pallbearers and conveyed the bodies of their former companions into the hall, while the band played "Nearer, My God, to Thee."

   Inside, the gymnasium was draped with deep mourning, and amidst the utmost silence, the caskets draped in American flags, were carried in and placed in single file. Rev. G. R. Wilson of the Waverly Congregational Church, Booreaem and Pallisade avenues, then conducted the services for the Conklin boy. Rev. Mr. Brezinski of St. Trinitatis Church in Bowers Street, followed with services for young Meyer and Rev. Mr. H. T. Beatly [?] of the First Presbyterian Church preached the concluding services for McRae. Funeral dirges were sung during the course of the services. At the conclusion of the services "taps" was sounded by the Scout buglers.

   'The Scouts then carried the caskets back to the hearses and the band once again roke out in the strains of "Nearer My God to Thee." The individual funeral corteges then started on the way to the cemeteries. Meyer was buried in Fairview Cemetery, McRae in Machpelah Cemetery and Conklin in New Dorp Cemetery. Innumerable floral pieces were sent by the lads' many friends and sympathizers in the Hudson City section.

   'A meeting of the board of directors of the Y.M.C.A. was held last night, at which a committee was appointed to draft a resolution of condolence to be sent to the drowned boys' families. Resolutions were also adopted expressing thanks to the Scouts who were on the outing and tried to rescue their comrades.'

See also

• William H. Conklin, on FamilySearch's Family Tree