The Tragedy at H Lake

Rudolph Butzow, who was drowned Sunday, left the town of Wilbur in company with E. N. Foley, A. A. Humphreys, F. L. Anderson, and William P. Gray, for a short drive, taking their skates with them. They stopped at what is known as H Lake and had probably been on the ice upwards of half an hour, when Rudolph, being a better skater than the others, took the lead and attempted to pass through the straits connecting the two larger parts. He skated on the thin ice and broke through. When he came up, he called to the boy with him, Ernest Foley. Ernest replied, 'Break the ice to the shore, as I cannot swim.' Rudolph raised himself up twice on the ice. After the second time he never came to the surface, except to raise his hands above water. Two of the boys who could swim were at the upper end of the lake and knew nothing about the matter until Ernest went back and informed them. By the time they reached the place, probably five minutes had elapsed. They were all unacquainted with the lake and had no idea how deep it was, excepting that it had the reputation of having no bottom in some places. The boys immediately returned to town and notified M. K. Hay, who ordered out teams with a load of lumber. They got a raft constructed about 8 o'clock, which they moved to the opening. They caught the body with a grappling hook within a few minutes after they commenced to fish for it, but it took them nearly an hour to get it on the raft. The body was recovered by William Schufeldt and Mr. Hay in water fifteen feet deep.