The Journal Leon, Iowa Thursday, June 28, 1883 LEWIS, son of JOHN and CHRISTINA SIFER, was drowned near Weldon bridge, in Woodland Township, June 17th, age 21 years and 11 months. LEWIS, in company with a number of others had started to the river to view the overflow of water caused by recent rains, but before reaching the river he had to cross a small stream known as Turkey-run, where waters in connection with the river were thrown back over the road sufficiently to swim a horse, thus making it very unsafe to try to pass along the road. And while his companions begged and entreated him not to go, he started on horse back to try to reach the river bridge; and in safety reached a sand bank about one half the distance between the run and the river bridge. And there it is supposed he found it utterly impossible to proceed farther, and therefore made the attempt to return; but alas, he sank to rise no more. A raft was made and by the aid of grab hooks his body was found and taken home to the grief stricken parents, about 6 o'clock. Death at any time is a sad affliction to the surviving friends, but the circumstances in this case make it doubly sorrowful. When a tree has grown to maturity, these many years has ceased to yield fruit, and its branches have already begun to decay, there is nothing shocking to our feelings when the wintry blasts break it down to the ground. Not so when the young thrifty tree in Spring time, loaded with the bloom that gave promise of an abundant yield is stricken down and broken by a premature storm. It was very much so with our young friend. He was just blooming into manhood. Then, too, he was so kind and so noble. Why was he taken while others are left? These are some of the mysteries which we must leave in the hands of an Almighty God, "for when the Comforter cometh, he will teach us all things " The funeral services which took place Monday, the 18th, were conducted by Rev. W.H. Wilson, and the remains were followed to the grave by a large concourse of weeping friends. The entire community sympathize with the bereaved family. -- Ella Comley Woodland, June 21st, 1883. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert January 2, 2010 [email protected]