George Albert Hanks

Bedford, PA: Bedford Gazette, issue of Friday, 31 December 1920

BROTHERS FOUND FROZEN TO DEATH

Last Sunday morning news reached Bedford that Charles Hanks and Albert Hanks two brothers born and raised at Robinsonville, Monroe township were found frozen to death on Christmas morning on an island at the mouth of the Susquehanna river in Maryland. All friends and relations were anxious but no further details could be had until Monday morning when the Philadelphia papers gave a brief statement that they were found frozen to death on Stump Island near Perryville, Md. at the mouth of the river.

From information sparsely received it seemed that the boys were spending their Christmas together and were at "Bert's" home at Perryville. On Christmas morning they had planned to go duck shooting and started before daylight for the island. Somehow, someway, and nobody knows they got into trouble maybe in anchoring their skiff. "Bert's" clothing which was wet and frozen to his waist indicated that he was in the water and mud that deep. They got the boat anchored but in the struggle they must have had, which was likely before daybreak, they lost their guns and one oar. Just why they didn't return with the boat instead of anchoring and going on the island will never be known. Maybe darkness bewildered them. Maybe a heavy fog hung over the river and they couldn't see their way but "Bert's" condition must have become serious at once for he was lying stretched out full length with his head reclining on a bunch of bushes when found and was near the boat. It took some time to get the identification and location of friends after the body was found by a boy about eight o'clock in the morning. After the body of Bert was found then a search for Charles was inaugurated and he was found almost across the island suck in mud nearly to his shoulders. He had lost one boot in his attempt possibly to seek aid or find the way out of a terrible death. No one will ever know the reasons for their course of action in their evident plight but something must have happened to Bert and Charles did his best to aid him and find help but being a stranger to everything he didn't know what to do, so wandered out into the marsh along the water's edge and sank. At eight o'clock in the evening when their bodies were taken from the island Bert's body was still warm indicated that he was the last to die.

The bodies were brought to Everett on Wednesday where two hearses were engaged trailing each other to Shreve's Chapel where Rev. C.J. Switzer, of the Methodist church preached the funeral of both the brothers and where the body of Bert was laid to rest. The body of Charles was taken to Robinsonville for interment. The Freemasons took charge of the burial of Bert. The funeral were large because the boys were so widely and favorable known.

Albert was born Dec. 15, 1883 and for the last five or six years worked for the government at Perryville, Md. where he owned a home. He leaves four children the two oldest being twin girls of eight years. His wife who was Viola Akers, daughter of Mahlon Akers died two years ago of Flu. Charles was born August 1891. He was a teacher in Monroe Hopewell and New Enterprise. He graduated at Millersville, Franklin and Marshall and had just completed his M.A. Degree at the latter institution. The brothers were sons of Monroe Hanks, a former school teacher of the county, deceased, and Mary Hanks, surviving. They have several brothers and sisters living. No accident has so rended the hearts of the people as this one because of the mystery surrounding. _

George Albert "Bert" Hanks Memorial Photos Flowers Edit Share Birth: Dec. 15, 1883 Monroe Township Bedford County Pennsylvania, USA Death: Dec. 25, 1920 Maryland, USA

Died in a boating accident. He and his brother were duck hunting in Maryland and they froze to death. His wife died 2 years earlier of flu, leaving him with 4 children.

Family links:

Parents:

 Silas Monroe Hanks (1854 - 1898)

 Mary J Miller Hanks (1859 - 1941)

Spouse:

 Viola Claracy Akers Hanks (1888 - 1919)

Burial: Shreves Chapel Cemetery Monroe Township Bedford County Pennsylvania, USA

Maintained by: Joyce Hawes Originally Created by: Kat Record added: Dec 23, 2007 _____

GEDCOM Note

Bedford, PA: Bedford Gazette, issue of Friday, 31 December 1920

BROTHERS FOUND FROZEN TO DEATH

Last Sunday morning news reached Bedford that Charles Hanks and Albert Hanks two brothers born and raised at Robinsonville, Monroe township were found frozen to death on Christmas morning on an island at the mouth of the Susquehanna river in Maryland. All friends and relations were anxious but no further details could be had until Monday morning when the Philadelphia papers gave a brief statement that they were found frozen to death on Stump Island near Perryville, Md. at the mouth of the river.

From information sparsely received it seemed that the boys were spending their Christmas together and were at "Bert's" home at Perryville. On Christmas morning they had planned to go duck shooting and started before daylight for the island. Somehow, someway, and nobody knows they got into trouble maybe in anchoring their skiff. "Bert's" clothing which was wet and frozen to his waist indicated that he was in the water and mud that deep. They got the boat anchored but in the struggle they must have had, which was likely before daybreak, they lost their guns and one oar. Just why they didn't return with the boat instead of anchoring and going on the island will never be known. Maybe darkness bewildered them. Maybe a heavy fog hung over the river and they couldn't see their way but "Bert's" condition must have become serious at once for he was lying stretched out full length with his head reclining on a bunch of bushes when found and was near the boat. It took some time to get the identification and location of friends after the body was found by a boy about eight o'clock in the morning. After the body of Bert was found then a search for Charles was inaugurated and he was found almost across the island suck in mud nearly to his shoulders. He had lost one boot in his attempt possibly to seek aid or find the way out of a terrible death. No one will ever know the reasons for their course of action in their evident plight but something must have happened to Bert and Charles did his best to aid him and find help but being a stranger to everything he didn't know what to do, so wandered out into the marsh along the water's edge and sank. At eight o'clock in the evening when their bodies were taken from the island Bert's body was still warm indicated that he was the last to die.

The bodies were brought to Everett on Wednesday where two hearses were engaged trailing each other to Shreve's Chapel where Rev. C.J. Switzer, of the Methodist church preached the funeral of both the brothers and where the body of Bert was laid to rest. The body of Charles was taken to Robinsonville for interment. The Freemasons took charge of the burial of Bert. The funeral were large because the boys were so widely and favorable known.

Albert was born Dec. 15, 1883 and for the last five or six years worked for the government at Perryville, Md. where he owned a home. He leaves four children the two oldest being twin girls of eight years. His wife who was Viola Akers, daughter of Mahlon Akers died two years ago of Flu. Charles was born August 1891. He was a teacher in Monroe Hopewell and New Enterprise. He graduated at Millersville, Franklin and Marshall and had just completed his M.A. Degree at the latter institution. The brothers were sons of Monroe Hanks, a former school teacher of the county, deceased, and Mary Hanks, surviving. They have several brothers and sisters living. No accident has so rended the hearts of the people as this one because of the mystery surrounding.
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