Aberdeen Weekly News Friday, Jun 16, 1902
Willie Holmes
Bath, S. D., June 16 — The community was greatly shocked last evening to hear that Willie Holmes, oldest son of Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Holmes, had been drowned. About 5 o’clock, while bathing in the river near his home with several smaller boys, none of whom could swim, he was seized with cramps and the swift current carried him into deep water and he was drowned, his companions being unable to render him any assistance. The body was recovered three hours later.
He was a member of this year’s graduating class, one of the best scholars in the school and was a youth of much promise. He lacked only a little of being 17 years old. The parents have the sympathy of the entire community in their sudden bereavement.
Funeral services will be held at the church on Tuesday at 12 o’clock.
~Transcribed by volunteer researcher, Kathy Smith