The River Keeps Its Secret
Floodwaters have receded, but the search for two men lost in the Yakima River remains fruitless.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Little hope is now entertained for the recovery of the bodies of Henry Thamke and Chas. Vanier, who were drowned a week ago Sunday night in attempting to cross the Yakima River in a row boat at the irrigation headgates. The floodwaters have receded and the river is now back within its banks. The flooded bottom lands along the river have been systematically searched to no avail. Lookouts are being maintained at all the bridges day and night and men in boats have been scouring the stream from the dam to the mouth. As yet no attempt has been made to drag the river because of the strong current. As a stimulus to the search, Chairman F. L. Bash of the board of county commissioners has authorized the posting of a $25 reward for the recovery of either of the bodies.
“The flooded bottom lands along the river have been systematically searched to no avail.”
Tragedies involving the dangerous currents of the Yakima River remain a recurring theme for local families and emergency responders. Even today, the river's seasonal flooding patterns serve as a reminder of the hazards inherent in the region's geography.
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