Body of Dave Tivis Found in Elkhorn River

Floating face downward on the surface of the Elkhorn river near the cutoff southeast of Arlington, the body of Dave Tivis, drowned in the river five weeks ago last Sunday, was found by a party of Omaha people Saturday afternoon. It was taken to Arlington and afterward taken to Fremont, where funeral services were held at 9 o’clock Monday morning. Interment was made in Ridge cemetery.

The body was caught in trees and snags at a spot where the banks of the Elkhorn river are high. When discovered by the Omaha party it was floating on the surface, full clothed in overalls and a blue shirt which Tivis wore when he attempted to swim across the river to join a party of picnickers near the Magenau bridge on the fatal Sunday afternoon. The picnickers immediately called for help and Jesse Cook, with the aid of a boat, brought the body to shore.

Dr. Davis of Arlington, and Sheriff Mehrens and County Attorney O’Hanlon of Blair, after examining the remains, said there was no doubt as to the identity. The sheriff decided no inquest was necessary.

The remains were badly decomposed, especially the portion above the water. The features, however, wee recognizable.

The body was found on the stretch of the river which passes through the Jesse Lamb farm.

At the time Tivis was drowned the river was high and swift from recent rains. For days after he man disappeared in the current a search was made along the river bank to no avail. It was feared that the body had been washed far downstream.

Mrs. Tivis was not notified of the finding of the body until Sunday morning, when a party consisting of Will Reckmeyer, Mrs. Will Unland and Mrs. Henry Kreuger went to her home to tell her. Mrs. Tivis has stood the shock well and expressed relief that the remains had been found so funeral services might be had.

The Tribune July 24, 1924

Dave Tivis Is Drowned In Elkhorn River Sunday

Dave Tivis, 50, farmer living near Arlington, lost his life in the Elkhorn river Sunday afternoon when he attempted to swim across to join a picnic party.

Tivis, whose farm runs down to the river northwest of Arlington, was standing on the bank when he saw a picnic party on the other side which included two friends, Alfred and Harry Softley of Fremont. They called to him to join them and he, despite their urging to take a boat, removed his hat and shoes and started to swim. Half way across he pulled himself up on a sand bar, rested a moment, and then plunged back into the water. Apparently he was caught at once in a powerful current which swept him some distance down the river, but the Softlies, believing he was enjoying a swim, paid little attention to him until he disappeared from sight around a bend.

After a time Harry Softley, alarmed at Tivis’ failure to reappear, hurried along the bank of the river, but could catch no sight of the man. Thinking perhaps Tivis had changed his mind and had returned to the farm Softley called to Tivis’ son to ask if his father had returned to the farm. The boy reported no trace of his father and then discovered his hat and shoes on the bank. At once the two Softleys, with Robert and Will Luehrs, who were with them, started a search for Tivis.

Tivis was well known in Blair, having lived on a farm a few miles west of town until about ten years ago when he moved to the old Ryan farm northwest of Arlington. He was a son-in-law of the late Pat Murray, a pioneer farmer of this locality.

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

Note: Since the actual date was not given for the death, the news article date was used in order to input this record.