OBIT # 5544 - EASTERN CHRONICLE - 7 JANUARY 1941 First drowning accident of the year in Pictou County occured Saturday morning at 10 o'clock in the hot water pond above the Allan shaft behind the Red Row, when Betty, five and Mary, eight, children of Mr. and Mrs. John Lawrence who reside in the Row, were trapped under the icy waters of the inlet below the flume from the Allan shaft. The two little girls were skating on the ice in the inlet which is about six inches thick when they skated off the ice into the open water which is about eight feet at that point. Rita Lucas, 17, who resides with the Lawrence family ran down the bank to the ice, scantily clad, and attempted to grasp Mary. She lost her balance and fell in herself. Tom Watson hurriedly ran down to the ice and managed to pull the Lucas girl to safety, after the plucky attempt to save the two children. Police were notified and the Acadia Dragermen under Captain William Baudoux, used poles with hooks attached to ends , in the attempt to locate the bodies in the open part of the pond. Assisting in the rescue work were the Stellarton police and town engineer Dan MacEachern and a number of miners. James White, first aid man at the Allan shaft, was present to attempt to revive the children should their bodies be recovered in time. The body of Marion was recovered about noon and that of Betty about three hours later, much too late for resuscitation. Dr. W.H. Robbins, coroner, New Glasgow decided that an inquest was unnecessary. Marion Lawrence who was seven on December 14, was in Grade Two and Betty who would have been six in march, was in Grade One in Lourdes Parish School. Both were bright, lovable children, popular with their school mates and engagingly took part in the recent Christmas concert at the school. In the home where they were the centre of affection, their tragic passin comes as a schock to the grief stricken parents. Mr Lawrence is employed at number seven (becomes hard to read, maybe) mine of the Acadia Coal Company (unable to read remaining few lines, unable to even count them.)