Milford McManigal

On Wednesday of last week while swimming in the Missouri near Blair, Milford McManigal, a boy of thirteen years and well and strong for his age, attempted to breast a strong current and reach a big sand bar in the middle of the river, and failed in strength to make it and was drowned. The body was not recovered till Sunday night, when it was found by some men who were fishing this side of Florence.

The funeral of the unfortunate lad was held Tuesday afternoon at the Christian church. Rev. John B. Williams, pastor gave a short but soothing and impressive sermon from the text, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10. The body was laid to rest in the Blair cemetery.

Following is the obituary read in Blair on August 31, 1906. He would connection with the sermon: Milford Meredith McManigal was born at ?. He would have been 13 years old the last day of this month. He spent his first year of school at Walthill, Nebraska and when he died was in the seventh grade in the Blair schools. He was active and industrious for his years, serving as agent in the city for a leading Omaha daily paper, and had planned ahead for additional work before his misfortune came.

At home he was esteemed kind and considerate; ready to help his mother and that is a very good thing to be able to say of any boy. The morning of his death he had stayed at home to help his mother, foregoing the youthful desire for plan and recreation. In disposition he was usually bright and cheerful. He was one of the Boy Scouts of Blair, a member also of the Christian church and Sunday school.

The sudden passing of this young life has caused a great deal of comment and sorrow in all the community. General sympathy has been stirred and deeply stirred for the bereaved parents and relatives. – Contributed.

Note: Per Blair Cemetery listing: Birth date was 31 Aug 1906; Died 6 Aug 1919; buried Blk 71 Lot 9 Gr 7.

~~~ Obituary courtesy of the Washington County Genealogical Society. Newspaper clippings on file in the Blair Public Library at Blair, Nebraska.~~~