Rothenberger - Roy
Source: New Richmond Record 10 April 1913 p 1
The body of Roy Rothenberger of Mulberry, who with his brother Roscoe were drowned in Wildcat creek on March 25, was recovered at 2 o’clock Saturday afternoon at a point a mile down the creek from where the drowning occurred. The body of Roscoe Rothenberger was still missing. Roy Rothenberger was 25 years old, his brother 18. A third companion of these fellows, Elva Meyers, saved himself from drowning by clinging to a tree for four hours until ho was rescued. The company of three were going down the creek in a small bout to Wyandotte bridge to shoot ducks and their boat capsized.
Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Monday April 7, 1913 p 6
Partly covered by a log, the body of Roy Rothenberger of Mulberry who was droned March 25 was found yesterday afternoon near the center of the Wildcat creek. The water was 4' deep and the body was caught by grappling hooks in the hands of Elmer Rothenberger, cousin of the unfortunate man. Just before the body was found one of the hip boots that had been worn by Rothenberger when he was drowned and the hat that had been worn by his brother, Roscoe whose body is still missing were taken from the creek and encouraged the searchers to renewed effort. Elmer Rothenberger was a member of a party that had been searching every day for the bodies of the missing men, and Peter Rothenberger, half brother of the drowned man. Harry Burkhalter and Charles Mead were all in the boat with him when the grappling hooks brought the body to the surface of the water. The remains, which were well preserved were viewed by Coroner Roy V. Hannell. The funeral was held from the family residence in Mulberry with interment in the Fair Haven Cemetery. Roy Rothenberger was 26 years old and was a son of David Rothenberger of Mulberry. Roy Rothenberger, accompanied by his brother, Roscoe 18 years old and Elva Myers left the Darlingford south of Mulberry in a boat on the morning of March 25. They intended to row to the Wyandotte Bridge and shoot ducks as they floated down the south fork of the Wildcat which had been converted into a raging river by the recent rains. A quarter of a mile above Wyandotte Bridge the boat was overturned. Myers saved himself by clinging to a small tree that had been half submerged by the flood. He clung to the tree for hours before he was rescued. He saw Roy Rothenberger sink near where the boat upset and he saw Roscoe clinging to the overturned boat as it was swept swiftly down the stream until he and the boat disappeared around a bend below the bridge.
Partly covered by a log, the body of Roy Rothenberger of Mulberry who was droned March 25 was found yesterday afternoon near the center of the Wildcat creek. The water was 4' deep and the body was caught by grappling hooks in the hands of Elmer Rothenberger, cousin of the unfortunate man. Just before the body was found one of the hip boots that had been worn by Rothenberger when he was drowned and the hat that had been worn by his brother, Roscoe whose body is still missing were taken from the creek and encouraged the searchers to renewed effort. Elmer Rothenberger was a member of a party that had been searching every day for the bodies of the missing men, and Peter Rothenberger, half brother of the drowned man. Harry Burkhalter and Charles Mead were all in the boat with him when the grappling hooks brought the body to the surface of the water. The remains, which were well preserved were viewed by Coroner Roy V. Hannell. The funeral was held from the family residence in Mulberry with interment in the Fair Haven Cemetery. Roy Rothenberger was 26 years old and was a son of David Rothenberger of Mulberry. Roy Rothenberger, accompanied by his brother, Roscoe 18 years old and Elva Myers left the Darlingford south of Mulberry in a boat on the morning of March 25. They intended to row to the Wyandotte Bridge and shoot ducks as they floated down the south fork of the Wildcat which had been converted into a raging river by the recent rains. A quarter of a mile above Wyandotte Bridge the boat was overturned. Myers saved himself by clinging to a small tree that had been half submerged by the flood. He clung to the tree for hours before he was rescued. He saw Roy Rothenberger sink near where the boat upset and he saw Roscoe clinging to the overturned boat as it was swept swiftly down the stream until he and the boat disappeared around a bend below the bridge.
Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Sunday March 7, 1976 p 89
A killer storm raked Lafayette and West Lafayette on Friday March 21, 1913 hitting the two cities with a preview of the massive 1913 flood damage to engulf them in the week ahead...
.... Death struck on Wildcat Creek. Three youths trying to run the creek in a canoe were capsized. Elva Myers, 20, saved himself by grabbing onto a tree branch. But Roy Rothenberger, 26 and Roscoe Rothenberger 17, were swept away in the furious waters and never found.
Note: This is obviously wrong as Roy was indeed recovered but sounds like Roscoe never was - RIP