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