George Beach

Return to Class of 1923

George 06/06/1922
The Treacherous currents of the Des Moines river claimed another victim at 7:15 Monday evening when the body of George Beach, 16-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben R. Beach, of this city was swept away while he was in swimming in the sand bar a quarter mile up river from Red Rock bridge.

In The Journal of last week we were only able to make brief mention of the recovery of the body of the late George Beach, who was drowned in the Des Moines river on June 5, 1922, Monday evening.

After almost two full days and nights of search for the body it was brought to the surface by the use of dynamite, late Wednesday afternoon.

While everybody engaged in the search is deserving of unstinted praise for services well rendered, Mr. J. M. Davis, relay captain in the search, says that special mention should be made of the unselfish and wholesouled work of the Alley brothers and Mr. Ford, of Red Rock.

George Beach, only son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben R. Beach, was born February 16, 1906, in Muscatine. He came to Knoxville with his parents in January, 1913, at which time Mr. Beach was chosen as manager of the Paul Lumber Co., of this city. At the time of his death, he was a Junior in the high school.

Those left to mourn his death are his parents, two-sisters, Mary, and Sarah Elizabeth and other relatives and friends.

The deceased was a member of the Presbyterian church.

The funeral services were held from the home Friday afternoon, June 9, at 1:30 o'clock.

Rev. George E. Chapman having charge of the services. The body was taken to Muscatine, where services were held Saturday after noon, at 2:30 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Geo. E. Chapman of Knoxville and assisted by Dr. Rendell.

Burial was made in Greenwood cemetery at Muscatine.

The following named boy acquaintances and schoolmates of the deceased accompanied the funeral party to Muscatine, acting as pall bearers: Verne Remy, Lester Holmes, Raymond White, Harry Lawrence, Leon Miller, Lester Harmon, Howard McCorkle and Gerald Hayes.

Others went to Muscatine besides the family of the deceased were Rev. Geo. E. Chapman, A. P. Bybee, 0.E. Atkinson, Mrs. Clark Loynachan and two daughters, Mildred and Eunice.