STERLING GAZETTE, Sterling, IL

Saturday, July 21, 1923 6; 4  Sterling Public Library Roll#144

BOY IS DROWNED NEAR TAMPICO

Robert Wroten Loses Life in Water of Canal While Swimming Friday

Tampico, Ill., July 21 – Robert Wroten, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dora Wroten, was drowned in the canal two miles south and about one mile and a half east of Tampico about 3:30 or 3 o’clock Friday afternoon.

Robert and some boy companions, Ellis Nealy, Neal McKenzie and Vernon Dennison, had gone to what is known as Sandy Beach, south of Burke Bridge, to swim. Usually there is a big crowd at the beach, but at this time the boys were alone. Robert had walked out into the water and when he started to go under the other boys tried to save him by pushing planks toward him. When they realized their efforts were useless they hurried dressed and ran about a half mile for help. Dr. Terry was summoned and a number of young men from Tampico tried to locate the body.

After some search the body was located by Mack Parent. Resuscitation was tried, but the boy was dead. He had been in the water between 45 minutes and an hour.

Robert leaves to mourn his death his mother and three brothers – Glen of Tampico, Ed of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Frank of Sacramento, Calif., and two sisters, Mrs. Harvey Rennerof Tampico and Bessie, deceased.

STERLING GAZETTE, Sterling, IL

Monday, July 23, 1923 5;2  Sterling Public Library Roll#144

ACCIDENTAL DEATH FROM DROWNING IS CORONER’S VERDICT

Tampico, Ill, July 23 – At the inquest Saturday afternoon held at the undertaking establishment, concerning the death of Robert Wroten, the verdict of accidental drowning: was returned. The jury consisted of Chas. Smith, V. Eckdahl, Wesley Foy, Louis Schwanberger, Wm. Staples and Clyde McKenzie.

The testimony of Neal McKenzie, Ellis Nealy, Vernon and Mack Parent was heard by Coroner Frye, McKenzie, Nealy and Dennison were Wroten’s companions and told of how Robert went down and their attempt to save him by throwing a plank into the water, then when they saw that they were unable to save him they sent for help.

STERLING GAZETTE, Sterling, IL

Tuesday, July 24, 1923  9;3 Sterling Public Library Roll #144

FINAL RITES FOR TAMPICO YOUTH

Funeral of Robert Wroten Is Held at Baptist Church Sunday Afternoon

Tampico, Ill., July 24 – The funeral of the late Robert Wroten, who lost his life while swimming last Friday, was held Sunday at the Tampico Baptist Church. The funeral was conducted by Rev. Cobb, assisted by Rev. Gable and Rev. Kearns. Many beautiful floral offerings were made by his many relatives and friends. The pall bearers were Ralph and Glen Carlson, Glen Harrington, Ernest Peterson, Elmer Willigren and Harry Peterson. Interment was in the Whittington [Union, Fairfield/Greenville] cemetery, south of Tampico.

OBITURARY

Robert Leslie Wroten was born in Bureau County seven miles south of Tampico, Ill., on the home farm, Aug. 20[?], 1910 and departed this life July 20, 1923 at the age of 12 years and 11 months.

After the death of his father, which occurred when Robert was but fifteen months old, the family moved to Tampico, making that place their home.

During a series of revival meetings conducted by Rev. J. C. Dent in May, 1920, Robert accepted Christ as his savior and united with the Tampico Baptist Church. He was baptized by his pastor, Rev. Mathewson. Robert was always a faithful and regular attendant of the services of the church. At the time of his death he held a remarkable record for attendance at Sunday school. During the past three years he had only been absent six times and since the first of this year he had missed only one Sunday when he was unavoidably detained.

Other members of the family preceding him in death were a sister, Minnie, who died in infancy; a sister Bessie, who died in 1906, at the age of five; a half-sister, Belle, who died at the age of three, and a brother, George, who died in 1918.

He is survived by his mother, one sister, Grace Renner, of Tampico, two half brothers, Edward of Benton Harbor, Mich., and Frank of Sacramento, Calif.