THIRTY BOYS SEE
COMPANION DROWN.
KANSAS CITY, KAS., PONDS
CLAIM ANOTHER VICTIM.
Paul Hauber, 14, While Bathing in
a Pool at Kerr's Park Sank
in Twelve Feet of Water.
PAUL HAUBER.
The deep ponds in and around Kansas City, Kas., which for years have been a menace to life in more ways than one, yesterday claimed another victim when Paul Hauber, 14 years old, a son of Frank J.Hauber, president of the Hauber Cooperage Company, was drowned while bathing in a pool in Kerr's park west of Kansas City, Kas., The boy was unable to swim and although his cries for help were heard by thirty companions, most of whom were in the pond at the time, they became panic stricken and ran out crying while the body of the unfortunate boy sank in twelve feet of water.
The fire department was notified of the accident and George Fuller of No. 1 truck recovered the body. Emergency treatment was administered by Dr. Mortimer Marder, assistant police surgeon, but efforts to restore life were futile. The body was viewed by Dr. J. A. Davis, Wyandotte county coroner, and removed to the family home, 744 Washington boulevard.
Three companions, Robert Johnson of 71 South Forest avenue; Joe Ramel, 1049 Ella avenue, and Floyd Russel of 1117 Ella avenue, were with young Hauber when he undressed and went into the pond. Most of the swimmers who were in the pond at that time were on the opposite side. The boy waded about for some time and being unable to swim kept close to the shore. Becoming too venturesome, however, he stepped on a shelving bank and went in over his head. Two logs were in the water not far from where the boy was struggling and had his companions kept their presence of mind one of these logs could have been pushed within his reach.
The drowned boy was a student at St. Mary's Catholic school in Kansas City, Kas., and was a universal favorite among the younger people of the city. His death is the first broken link in a family consisting of ten brothers and three sisters. Once before the boy had a narrow escape from death by drowning. About two years ago he fell into a pond near his home, and his feet becoming entangled in some wire, he was rescued with difficulty.
Dr. J. A. Davis, Wyandotte county coroner, said last night that an inquest might be held over the body. In any event an effort will be made to provide in some way against the repetition of yesterday's fatality. The pond in which young Hauber met his death yesterday has been the scene of several drownings, one boy having drown there last summer. Chief of Police W. W. Cook last night said that every effort was being made by the police to prevent the boys from going into ponds in and near the city.
Funeral arrangements for young Hauber have not been made.
