A second article described the discovery of his body.
The Roosevelt Standard 1937-05-27
Bodies Of Green River Victims Discovered Near Drowning Place
Funeral services for Hank Stewart held Thursday in Roosevelt.
Thomas McKenna buried at Leota Wednesday after a weeks intensive search.
Bodies of hank Stewart and Thomas McKenna who were drowned in green river Tuesday, May 18th about six miles below Ouray when the boat in which they were crossing with farm machinery capsized, were found this week.
The body of McKenna was located about half a mile below the place of drowning floating in midstream Tuesday evening, and Stewarts corps was discovered about 1 ½ miles below the place of drowning by Matthew Curry of Ouray. Funeral services were held in Leota Wednesday for Mr. McKenna and burial also was in Leota. Services were held for Mr. Stewart in the Roosevelt ward chapel on Thursday burial took place in the Roosevelt city cemetery. Mr. Stewart was born at Mona Utah on may 1st 1868, a son of Dr. Simeon and Mary Ellen Sullivan Stewart, with a brother George he spent most of his boyhood in the Pugent Sound Country. Living with an uncle and aunt. Later the family moved to Tinuc and the boys attended all hallows college in Salt Lake City.
Moved To Carbon
In 1897 he moved to Carbon county where he married Minerva Van Wagoner from whom he separated a number of years ago. They settled in the nine mile country where he became a rancher. Later he became interested in placer mining in the horse shoe bend of the green river and purchased a large holding of land at the mouth of willow creek where
he operated a ferry and ranched. Surviving are his widow Mrs. Elsie Wardle Stewart a daughter Mrs. Eva Ashton Vernal, national committee woman of the American Legion Auxiliary, and former president of the Utah legion auxiliary, two sons Ardon Stewart, vernal and Van Stewart Brigham City, circulation manager of the tribune telegram in box elder County, a brother George E Stewart Fort Duchesne and two grandsons.
Monday, April 30, 2007
Thomas Mckenna's Death
I was searching the digital images of the Salt Lake Tribune last week for any articles refering to "Thomas McKenna" hoping to find anything that would add to our understanding of the first McKenna in our history to immigrate to america. I found instead an article discribing the drowning of his grandson, Thomas at age 25. Thomas is the brother to Gilbert Francis. They married sisters Fannie and Almeda respectively. In the article it described the accident that caused his drowning. He was trying to rescue an older man who had fallen into the water. Both bodies were found later down stream. The following is the text of the article
The Roosevelt Standard 1937-05-20
Treacherous Waters Of Green River Take Two More Victims.
Search for bodies of Hank Steward and Thomas McKenna who were drowned in green River Tuesday continues
The swollen treacherous waters of the green river claimed two more victims Tuesday when Hank Stewart 70 and Thomas McKenna about 25 were drowned in its swift currents. Stewart, a ranch owner and veteran of the river, and McKenna employed by Mr. Stewart had crossed the river near the Stewart ranch at willow creek to the Almiller farm on the opposite bank and were returning with some farm machinery when the boat capsized as it struck a whirlpool in midstream. Mr. Stewart was standing up in the boat to steady the cultivator and planter. When the boat upset the weight of the machinery apparently stunned him and he went under with the boat load. McKenna who was rowing grabbed Stewart by the hand when he came up and started to swim to shore but was unable to make it. He then tried to save his own life and was thrown a rope by Almiller who was standing on the bank. He missed the rope by about 12 feet. And being completely exhausted went under and was not seen again.
From the banks of the river Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. McKenna watched the tragedy. Mrs. Stewart attempted to get to the men on horseback but was ordered back on account of the futility of reaching them.
Father Of Eva Ashton
Mr. Stewart is survived by his wife Mrs. Elsie Wardle Stewart and son Arton Stewart of Myton. Another son and daughter by a former marriage, Van Stewart of Brigham City, Mrs. Eva Ashton of Vernal and a brother George of Ft. Duchesne. Mrs. Ashton who was vacationing in California prior to sailing for Honolulu with her husband and family received word of the accident Wednesday and will arrive in vernal Thursday night.
Mr. McKenna is survived by his widow Mrs. Fannie Allred McKenna a four year old son and three month old daughter.
Search Hampered
Immediately on hearing of the
Drowning, searching parties were organized in Roosevelt, Vernal, and Ouray. But due to the swollen muddy waters of the river the search is difficult and as yet no trace of the bodies has been discovered. Drag hooks and river equipment is being brought in from Salt Lake City and shore patrols and searching parties are patroling the waters for many miles.
The Roosevelt Standard 1937-05-20
Treacherous Waters Of Green River Take Two More Victims.
Search for bodies of Hank Steward and Thomas McKenna who were drowned in green River Tuesday continues
The swollen treacherous waters of the green river claimed two more victims Tuesday when Hank Stewart 70 and Thomas McKenna about 25 were drowned in its swift currents. Stewart, a ranch owner and veteran of the river, and McKenna employed by Mr. Stewart had crossed the river near the Stewart ranch at willow creek to the Almiller farm on the opposite bank and were returning with some farm machinery when the boat capsized as it struck a whirlpool in midstream. Mr. Stewart was standing up in the boat to steady the cultivator and planter. When the boat upset the weight of the machinery apparently stunned him and he went under with the boat load. McKenna who was rowing grabbed Stewart by the hand when he came up and started to swim to shore but was unable to make it. He then tried to save his own life and was thrown a rope by Almiller who was standing on the bank. He missed the rope by about 12 feet. And being completely exhausted went under and was not seen again.
From the banks of the river Mrs. Stewart and Mrs. McKenna watched the tragedy. Mrs. Stewart attempted to get to the men on horseback but was ordered back on account of the futility of reaching them.
Father Of Eva Ashton
Mr. Stewart is survived by his wife Mrs. Elsie Wardle Stewart and son Arton Stewart of Myton. Another son and daughter by a former marriage, Van Stewart of Brigham City, Mrs. Eva Ashton of Vernal and a brother George of Ft. Duchesne. Mrs. Ashton who was vacationing in California prior to sailing for Honolulu with her husband and family received word of the accident Wednesday and will arrive in vernal Thursday night.
Mr. McKenna is survived by his widow Mrs. Fannie Allred McKenna a four year old son and three month old daughter.
Search Hampered
Immediately on hearing of the
Drowning, searching parties were organized in Roosevelt, Vernal, and Ouray. But due to the swollen muddy waters of the river the search is difficult and as yet no trace of the bodies has been discovered. Drag hooks and river equipment is being brought in from Salt Lake City and shore patrols and searching parties are patroling the waters for many miles.
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