Lloyd and Howard Carter Drowned

Two Little Sons of Edw. Carter Formerly of Rolla, Drowned in Mouse River Just North of Belyea Bridge.

Lloyd and Howard Carter, agred eleven and nine years respectively, the little sons of of Edward Carter, who resides at the corner of fifth Avenue and Railroad street on the north side, were victims of a sad drowning accident late yesterday afternoon, while sliding on .the ice on the Mouse River, about half way between the Belyea avenue bridge and the Great Northern railroad bridge.

The two lads had attended the matinee at the Orpheum and were returning aome when the ice on the river attracted their attention and they went down to slide a short time before continuing on to their home. The ice, however was not of sufficient thickness to sustain their weight, and, breaking suddenly, the two boys were plunged into the icy water. As they were alone at the time of the accident it is not known whether they both fell in at the same time or whether one made an effort to save the other's life and so lost his also.

Just who discovered the boys' plight first is not known. W. A. Peck's attention was drawn to the river while driving along north Belyea avenue in his automobile with Mrs. Peck and their little son. At that time, however, only one boy was seen in the water. Mr. Peck had a short rop [sic] in his automobile and going out onto the ice made an effort to reach the lad, but was unsuccessful, and as the ice began breaking beneath him he was forced to go back. A long stool was lying on the ice near where the boy was struggling and he made an effort to reach him with that but the boy was so exhausted that he sank from sight before Mr. Peck could save him. According to Mr. Peck it appeared to him as though the little fellow had gone down twice as he made no outcry and was making only a very feeble effort to save himself.

Unable to secure assistance from anyone in the neighborhood, Mr. Peck rushed to the police station, returning with Wm. McEwan, C. C. Spillane and Chief of Police Smith armed with rope, and hooks. The body of the first lad was soon recovered and rushed to Van Fleet's undertaking parlors, where a physician was called and effort were made to revive the lad. The physician and an assistant labored over the little fellow for over an hour but their efforts were unavailing. Half an hour later the other body was recovered and removed to the morgue.

The boys and their father had been making their home with their grandmother, Mrs. Nancy Carter and an uncle, C. A. Buie, who is Mr. Carter's half brother. Mr. Buie learned of the accident and went at once to the morgue and when he saw the little bodies of his dead nephews his grief was pitiful. For a few moments he collapsed utterly and had to be carried the greater part of the distance home while he sobbed as if his heart would break.

The father did not learn of the tragedy until Mr. Buie had returned home. He insisted on seeing his boys and so was taken at once to the morgue. At sight of the little bodies he burst into a paroxysm of grief that was terrible to see and he, too, had to be carried to his home. —Minot Reporter.

Turtle Moutnain Star, 12/5/1912