John Evan Owens

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jan 13 2023, 21:21:56 UTC
• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jan 13 2023, 21:23:02 UTC

Obituary: Tualatin Valley News, June 22, 1917 Two Prominent Boys Drown in the Tualatin River Friday Evan Owens and Will Christensen Meet Death While Swimming--Cramps Believed to Have Caused the Tragedy.

    One of the saddest occurrences that ever happened in the vicinity of Sherwood occurred last Friday afternoon about 2:45 o'clock, when the lives of Evan Owens and Will Christenson were suddenly snuffed out while in bathing in the Tualatin river near Cipole. The boys, in company with James Fitch, son of Postmaster Fitch of this city, and Harry Christenson and Louis Christenson, had gone to the swimming hole near Cipole to cool off, after having been working hard in the onion patch of John Hedges, where they were employed. It seems Will Christenson had a contract with Mr. Hedges to have his work done in a certain time and had called James Fitch over to help him complete the work and he had complied. About 1:00 o'clock the work was finished and the suggestion made that they go to the river for a swim and all five joined in. Arriving at the time stated above, the boys lost no time in preparing for the plunge. Young Fitch and Louis Christenson were the first to reach the opposite shore and were surprised to hear the call for help from their companions, and Mr. Fitch responded immediately.     

    Louis Christenson is but thirteen years of age and Mr. Fitch forbade him to help, and attempted to save the lives of his friends alone and would have done so but for the fact he was kicked in the stomach and came near losing his life thereby. He had Evan by the arm and Will by the hair and was getting along with his Herculean task as well as could be expected when the kick he received caused him to release his hold and sent him down twice and but for a limb when he came up his life would have been lost. This act of Mr. Fitch seems to the majority of the people worthy of a Carnegie medal and this paper heartily concurs, and will be glad to cooperate with any one who will take the matter up with the proper officials.

    The city diver of Portland, Mr. Brady, was sent for and about eight o'clock was successful in finding the bodies about 10 feet from the place where they went down, and it was found to be useless to use the pulmoter in the attempt to save their lives. Because of the prominence of the boys the hearts of the entire community goes out to the parents and relatives in profound sympathy, and their funeral marked one the of largest ever held in Sherwood. The Congregational church, in which the services were held, was not large enough to accommodate the friends who came from far and near to pay their last respects to the memory of the dead. Rev C. Butler had charge of the services and as assisted by Rev. A. Astleford.

John Evan Owens was born in Sherwood on December 5th, 1900 and died June 15, 1917 making him 16 years six months and 11 days old at the time of his death. He was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. John Owens who with one sister are left to mourn this untimely death. Besides these are his grandparents and an uncle and aunt, Evan was a devoted son and brother and the pride of grandparents and uncle. He was a favorite among his school associates and enjoyed the love and esteem of all with whom he came in contact. Though young in years he had the ability of making friends and holding them. While he is gone from among us his kindnesses and lovable disposition will ever remain one of the best assets that could be left to mortals, and will be sadly missed. He was laid to rest in Pleasant Hill cemetery.
(note: Willie B. Christenson was buried in Winona cemetery)

• Reference: [https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/47729100/john-evan-owens?_gl=1*.... Find A Grave Memorial] - SmartCopy: Jun 20 2024, 20:40:14 UTC