Lockhart, Calvin

Passed: 1939-06-04

Age: 14

Source: Jackson Herald

Death Notice:

Obituary Date: 1939-06-09

Information: LOCKHART YOUTH IS DROWNED; RIVER IS DRAGGED FOR BODY- Calvin Lockhart, 14, son of Claude Lockhart of Parkersburg, and grandson of Mrs. Alfonza Lockhart of Lockhart, sank to his death Sunday evening while swimming in the Ohio river a short distance north of U. S. Lock 18 near Parkersburg.  The Parkersburg youth who is well known in this county, having frequently visited his grandmother, was believed to have stepped suddenly into a deep hole while wading near the shore, and strangled before he could regain a footing.  Calvin had gone swimming shortly before 6 o'clock Sunday evening with a number of youths about his own age.  Suddenly, according to the boys, they saw that he was beyond his depth and unable to save himself not being a strong swimmer.  Themselves weak swimmers, his companions were unable to go to his rescue as the current carried him farther from the bank and some of them ran for help as the victim struggled three times to the surface of the water before sinking for the last time.  Rescue squads from the Parkersburg police and fire departments rushed to the scene and quickly began grappling from boats for the victim while one young man dived repeatedly in an effort to locate the body.  About half an hour after the water had closed over his head for the last time, Lieut. F. H. Dugan of the Parkersburg police force brought the body to the surface and for more than an hour an inhalator was used in a vain effort to save his life.  The body was recovered at 6:45 o'clock in the evening and pronounced deat at 7:55 o'clock by Dr. Orva Conley of Vitrolite.  The victim resided with his father at 1509 Thirty-fourth street, Parkersburg.  About eight years ago the boy's mother was killed on a July 4 when struck by an automobile while leaving a street car in Parkersburg.  Besides his father and grandmother, the boy leaves his step-mother, Mrs. Edith Lockhart, a sister, Clara Lockhart, at home, and his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. David Ott, of Pleasant avenue, Vienna.