WHILHITE, Jesse P
Source: Kingman Star Friday, July 17 1908
JESSE P. WHILHITE, 22 years old, son of John Whilhite, a well known Richland farmer living near Mellott, was drowned Sunday afternoon. The young man, together with his brother George, and a companion left the Whilhite home with the intention of going to the creek for a swim. On the way the party passed a pond, along the Clover Leaf railway. It was an unused gravel pit, but contained a large quantity of water and was about 150 feet across and possibly 18 to 20 feet deep. Jesse said to his companions that he proposed to swim across and disregarding their pleadings he undressed and plunged into the water. He had got out only about 15 or 20 feet when he sank and coming up he cried for help. For a moment the boys on the bank thought he was in faun, and they did not hurry to his rescue. For the third time he went down and his body failed to again appear. The alarm was quickly given, and in a short time the old pond was surrounded by an excited crowd. After fishing around for over two hours, the body was pulled out, but all efforts to resuscitate were in vain. The remains were taken to the home, and Coroner Parham notified. An inquest later developed the facts as above set forth, and the verdict of the coroner was in accordance thereof. – s-