A Milkman's Last Swim in the Black River

Coroner Horton went to Renton yesterday and investigated the death of Robert Niederberger, who was drowned in Black River at the Renton boat house Monday evening. The facts of the case as learned and related by the coroner are as follows: Robert Niederberger, Peter Olsen and Barney Deueins went to the river to bathe. Olsen was the only one who could swim, and he could not stay on top of the water for more than a moment, or, as he expressed it, 'two strokes.' He undressed first and jumped into the water. He came out a minute later and, as he did so, heard a splashing close by a boat which was tied at the landing. When he got the water out of his eyes he saw that it was made by Niederberger. The fellow evidently got rattled, for he let go of the boat and sank. Deueins, who was washing at the river's edge, was some distance away and did not know what had happened until Olsen gave the alarm. The body was recovered in about eight feet of water and near where it went down. Coroner Horton considered the death purely accidental, and decided not to hold an inquest. Niederberger was about 27 years old, and has been in this country fourteen months. He is a native of Switzerland and credited with having a record as a wrestler, although he had no medals. For the last three months he has been milking cows for Hall & Galloway, and before entering their employ was in Orillia. His friends say he was industrious and economical. It is believed that he has about $90 put away, but so far the search for it has been unsuccessful. Yesterday afternoon the body was taken to Bonney Stewart's and prepared for burial, the expenses of which will be borne by his friends. The services will be held this afternoon at 3:30 o'clock at the church of Our Lady of Good Help, interment at Calvary cemetery.