Obit: Winton, Hattie #2 ( 1901 - 1914)

Contact: Ann Stevens

Contact:  sdann88@yahoo.com

Surnames: Winton, Kopps, Manzow

----Source:  Neillsville Times (Neillsville, Clark County, Wis.)  August 21, 1914

Winton, Hattie (28 Jul 1901 - 18 August 1914)

Monday afternoon Hattie Winton was drowned in Black River near the mouth of Conlin Creek and a triple drowning was narrowly averted only by the heroism of George Kopps.  Hattie, Bernice and Bernita Winton, three daughters of Mr. and Mrs. C.D. Winton, went to the river in the afternoon to wade, as they live just a short distance west of the river.  Hattie either stepped off into a deep hole or was taken with cramps and her sister, Bernita, went to her assistance in response to her cries of distress.  In a  few moments all three of the girls were in the water, but Bernice was able to get out without aid.  The cries of the girls brought George Kopps, who was picking berries nearby, to their assistance and he rushed into the water.  Hattie and Bernita held on to him in their frenzy and drew him under the water twice.  He was almost exhausted, but finally broke the hold of the two drowning girls and was able to save Bernita.  Hattie, however, sank in fourteen feet of water.

The parents of the children were summoned and they with Kopps made frantic efforts to get the body of the drowned girl, but without success.  After the body had been in the water for about an hour, Fred Manzow, a neighbor, happened by and when told of the terrible accident, secured a rake and plunging into the river, was finally able to remove the body from the water.

The accident cast a pall over the entire community and deep sorrow envelopes the Winton home.  Hattie was 13 years and 22 days of age and was born in the town of Hewett.  She was the youngest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Winton and was a lovable and pleasant little girl and her untimely end is a matter of the sincerest regret to all her playmates and friends.  Mr. and Mrs. Winton have the deep sympathy of everybody in their bereavement and the breaking of their little family circle.