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Bartel, Alfred (1933-1948)
Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 19 Aug 1948 p. 1
Birth date: 1933
text of obituary:
Youth Drowned While Attending Retreat At Camp Wood
FIFTEEN-YEAR-OLD ALFRED BARTEL DIED TUESDAY MORNING, AUG. 17
The shocking tragedy of the drowning of Alfred Bartel occurred at Camp Wood, Elmdale, Kansas, on Tuesday morning, August 17. Alfred was the 15-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. H. H. Bartel, Hillsboro, and was attending the Western District Conference Young People's Retreat. He was a member of the Johannestal Mennonite church of which Rev. J. M. Regier is pastor.
The drowning occurred during the regular early morning swim period. Together with about 30 other young people, Alfred had entered the pool which was properly supervised by a lifeguard. He was last seen by two or three fellow swimmers as he descended into the water, after which no one saw him or noticed anything of him during the remainder of the swimming period, even though the small pool had a number of men in it. The very unusual aspect is the fact that no one noticed any sign of him or his struggles. It causes those in supervision to believe that he must have cramped very suddenly and severely so that he went down and stayed down without being able to show signs of struggle.
His absence from the group was not immediately noticed. His cabin-mates missed him immediately after breakfast and noted that his camp clothing was in the cabin and his swimming trunks were not there. At once the alarm was sounded, bringing all campers together, where it was revealed that he was absent from among the 136 campers.
All information pointed to his not having returned to the cabin. Life guards went to search the pool and soon discovered the body. Artificial respiration was administered for about an hour, but to no avail.
The nearest available doctor, Dr. J. Hinden, Chase County coroner, was immediately called. Immediately upon examination, he pronounced the boy dead. The body was taken to the Cottonwood Falls mortuary.
Through his pastor, Rev. J. M. Regier, and Rev. H. T. Unruh his parents were notified as soon as they could be reached. Upon the wish of the parents the body was later taken to the Hillsboro mortuary.
This accident caused the young people and leaders at the camp to search themselves deeply. A service was arranged for and held at 10 o'clock. Appropriate Scripture passages were read and remarks made. God speaks clearly through this experience.—(Report by Albert Gaeddert, Director of the Retreat)