FARMER LOSES LIFE IN SWOLLEN CREEK WATERS

Swept Away by Stream Swollen With Flood Waters

DRIFTED FOR MILES

William P. Gottsch, 66 year old farmer residing 2 1/2 miles west of Fort Calhoun, was drowned last Thursday, July 29, He had gone to the pasture after the cows following a heavy rain, and the supposition is that he fell into a creek which at the time was filled with flood waters to the depth of thirty feet.

An intensive search was organized and carried on for several days, but the body was not found until Monday afternoon. It had drifted down the swollen creek and was carried into the Missouri river and down that stream to about eight miles north of Omaha.

The body was seen floating in the river by Walter Peterson of 1119 16th Ave., Council Bluffs. He called it to the attention of workmen on a government barge, and while he went to Council bluffs to notify authorities, the workmen brought it to the bank on the Iowa side.

The family was at once notified, and identification of the body was made by the son, Walter, who farms near Blair.

The funeral services were held Tuesday morning at 10 o’clock at the German cemetery in the southern part of the county with Rev. Thos. J. Reese officiating at the grave.

William P. Gottsch was well known in this county. He farmed south of Blair for a long term of years, but during the depression he lost his farm and later rented the Garrison eighty west of Blair, and from there went to the farm where he met his death.

In his dealings he was strictly honest. He was industrious and thrifty. He had a large circle of friends who sympathize with the family in their great sorrow.

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

Find a Grave Memorial #37227222