Monday, June 1, 2015

Daniel Marckel - At the Mouth of Mud Creek

From the Marckel scrapbook...

Today the Tiffin River has overrun its banks due to our recent, heavy rains.  The tragedy of the following described accident was heightened as I imagined the situation of Daniel Marckel and Martin Schneider as they tried to cross that river that probably looked much like it does today.  






--“AT THE MOUTH OF MUD CREEK.  
 Daniel Markle, of Adams Township, is Thrown From a Buggy and Goes Down in the Waters of Tiffin River.

A deplorable accident occurred at the mouth of Mud Creek, Sunday evening at five o’clock, that resulted in the death of Daniel Markle, of Adams township.  Mr. Markle and a man by the name of Martin Schneider had been visiting friends in Washington township and were on their way home.  The waters in Mud creek and Tiffin river were very high and as they approached the Chapel bridge, the horse got off the road and went into deep water.  Schneider jumped as the buggy started to go over and called upon Markle to do the same, but that he failed to do, and was swept out into the current and drowned.

Several times Schneider thought he would be able to save his friend but his efforts were abortive.  One of the boys at the children’s home made a heroic effort to reach the drowning man, but it was not to be and he went down beneath the dark waters of the Tiffin river.  Mr. Markle was aged about 50 or 55 years and was a prosperous farmer of Adams township.

The road way at the point where the accident occurred is very narrow and was covered with water.  The suggestion comes at a late day, but it would be a good thing if the authorities would put a row of stakes on the road.  That would preclude the possibility of another accident of the same kind at that point.  The horse which was attached to the buggy belonged to Schneider and was also drowned. Markle’s body had not been recovered at the time this was written.”

*******
--“Our family was somewhat enlarged last week in trying to accommodate the gentlemen who were so faithfully searching for the lost body of Mr. D. Marckel, who had so unfortunately been drowned near the Home.  Albert Risk, one of our largest boys, showed his bravery by plunging into the deep water after the drowning man, while he was struggling for life.  Owing to the depth of the water, Albert had a narrow escape from being drowned himself. Yet he seemed so eager to rescue the drowning man.  Mr. Marckel’s family and relatives have the deepest sympathy of all connected with the Home in their sorrow…”

 *******
--“FOUND FLOATING.   
The Body of Daniel Markel Secured.  
The Vigilance of His Friends Rewarded and His Body Found Floating Several Miles From the Place Where He Met His Death.

The body of Daniel Marckel is found.  The vigilance of his friends and their untiring zeal were rewarded Monday at 11 a.m.  His relatives have had an idea for the past few days that his body would rise to the surface and float down stream.  In view of this, they had two parties of watchers stationed on the stream below where he met his death and they watched day and night, never relaxing their vigil for an instant.

This party was stationed down the creek some distance, near the residence of Lyman Langdon.  By the road, this is about two miles from the place where Marckel met his death.  Opinions differ as to the distance by the creek, as the stream is so crooked only an accurate measurement would determine.  Men who reside in that section say it is five or six miles from the mouth of Mud creek,  where the drowning occurred.

Monday, at 11 o’clock this party of watchers consisted of Aaron Marckel and Eli Marckel, brothers of the dead man, John Marckel, a nephew, Amiel Grim, a relative, Chas. Jennings, James McCombs, and Walter Domier, neighbors.  Chas. Jennings and Amiel Grim were watching the stream and the rest were hunting in the driftwood and down the river. 

The young men saw an object floating and as it approached, they discovered it was the body they were in search of. Hastily manning the boat, they pulled out into the stream and were rewarded by finding the object they had looked for so faithfully for many days and nights.  They hurriedly called their companions and then the grief-stricken relatives gazed on the one they so long had sought.
The body was brought to this city by John Metz, a resident of Adams township and taken in charge by Undertaker Williams, who prepared it for burial.  The body is in an advanced state of decomposition and was a sorry object to look upon.  Over the left temple was an ugly looking bruise and by many, it is supposed he was kicked by the horse in his mad struggle in the stream.  The clothing is muddy and shows that he must have rolled along on the bottom of the river.  Thus the body, which has been in the water for the past eight days, has been found and the excitement over the sad affair will abate somewhat.”

 *******
--“ACCIDENTAL DROWNING.  
 Such is the Coroner’s Verdict in the Death of Dan Marckel.

Monday evening Coroner Westrick held an inquest on the body of Dan Marckel.  On the person of the deceased was found one five dollar bill and some small change, amounting in all to $7.03.

The testimony of Martin Snyder and Joshua Domer was taken.  Mr. Snyder gave an account of the drowning, substantially the same as had been published in the Democrat.  He added that he had did all in his power to save Mr. Marckel from drowning, but as he could not swim, he could not plunge in and rescue his friend.

Mr. Domer related the circumstances of the finding of the body.  Mr. Westrick returned a verdict ascribing the death to accidental drowning.  The coroner said an inquest was not absolutely necessary in this case, but he felt it his duty to hold one, as there had been some conflicting reports in regard to the death of Mr. Marckel.  He said he was satisfied that Mr. Snyder did all in his power to save Mr. Marckel and regretted the circumstances very deeply.  The remains were taken to the Marckel residence Monda and the funeral occurred Tuesday.”



Poplar Ridge Cemetery, Defiance County, Ohio        http://www.findagrave.com

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