On Saturday evening a sad drowning accident occurred by which Bud Harkin,
the proprietor of the Windsor restaurant, and Lila Wallace, one of the waitresses in the same, lost their lives while making a trip through the celebrated Whitehorse rapids. They, in company with Eugene LaRose, had untertaken to make the run and sad to say upset just below the rapids.
It appears that for some time LaRose had been coaxed by Lila Wallace for
a trip. On this evening her desire was heightened by the fact that Bud Harkin had come through successfully in the afternoon and had thoroughly enjoyed the exciting trip.
Just before dinner LaRose yielded to her wishes and arranged that Lila,
Harkin and himself should go up to the rapids about eight o'clock. Many who were in for dinner at the restaurant did their best to dissuade Lila Wallace from making the trip, but to no avail, her whole heart seemed to have been set on the thrilling experience.
About eight o'clock the party started from town for the scene of their adventure. The Peterboro canoe in which they were going to make the run was already above the rapids waiting for them. The quick plunge through the boiling and tossing rapids was successfully made. Everyone enjoyed it and the girl especially seemed to be in high spirits.
When about seventy feet below the rapids Lila put her hand on the gunwale
of the canoe, which was already about three quarters full of water, and it seemed as if she wished to say something. LaRose called to her at the top of his voice: "For Heaven's sake let go of the side!"
The weight placed upon the gunwale evidently unbalanced the canoe as over
she went throwing the occupants into the rushing water. LaRose clung to the canoe, which was rolling very badly thereby making it expectionally difficult for him to cling to.
Bud Harkin jumped for the shore on the left side of the river. LaRose last saw him about five feet from the shore, being too much taken up with watching the girl and the canoe to follow him closely. Apparently he sank near the shore, as it was known that he was a poor swimmer.
The girl was on the right side of the stream. After being thrown out of the canoe she floated around for a while and kept her eyes on LaRose, her arms being open as if beseeching for assistance. LaRose saw at once that if he attempted to leave the canoe in those rushing waters it would be all off with him. He was therefore powerless to give any help. When he next looked around he saw one hand above the surface and then all was still.
LaRose drifted down with the current and eventually came to the conclusion that he must strike out for shore, which was about thirty feet distant, else he
would drown owing to his exhausted condition due to the cold and the fight to remain with the rolling canoe. After reaching the right bank he hastened down to the point opposite Whitney & Pedlar's store where he called for help. Messrs. Mahan and Murray, who are on the staff of this store, at once sent a boat across to LaRose. It was about a quarter to nine when LaRose came down to town.
When the news regarding the accident was spread around parties started out in search of the bodies. The islands at the foot of the rapids were carefully
searched in case either of }he unfortunate persons had drifted upon them in a helpless condition. The search that evening revealed no trace of them.
On Sunday morning about three o'clock Messrs. E. A. Dixon and J. B. Racine started up the river in search of the bodies. They found the remains of the girl
on a sand bar just where the river opens out into the big bend at the roundhouse. She had on LaRose's coat having left her own lying on the bank above the rapids.
All day Sunday a careful search was kept up by the police but no trace of
Harkin's body could be found.
LaRose had been making trips through the rapids all week and on Saturday
last he went through twice in the afternoon without a hitch.
He says that if the girl had not put her hand on the side of the canoe he
would certainly have made the third shoot successfully.
The remains of Lila Wallace were taken to the Windsor hotel where kind friends prepared the body for burial. The funeral service was held on Monday by the Rev. Father Corbeil.
Mrs. Harkin has the sympathy of the whole community in her sad bereavement.
