When it became known Saturday afternoon that Creth Burt, the thirteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Burt, of the Vickers Apartment, Oak street, had disappeared, a diligent search was made by the sheriff's deputies and Boy Scouts to locate the missing boy, and the river was dragged thinking the lad had fallen into the water and was drowned.
Sam Harris and Rufus Bradley, negroes employed by the Zachary-Tyler Company, while working on a boom in the rear of the plant, gave the alarm about 11:30 Saturday morning that a man had fallen from a rowboat into the river. The negroes declared they had seen someone swimming behind the boat and heard him cry for help, but that the person sank before they could get a boat out from the boom. After the body disappeared the negroes reported the affair to the mill office, which in turn informed the sheriff's office.
Deputy Sheriff William M. Cannon investigating the affair, was not inclined to place much credence in the negroes' story as they were rather vague on what had actually happened. Bradley, the younger negro insisted he saw someone swimming behind the boat. Harris also said he thought he saw someone, but by the time they had got the boat out from the boom the swimmer had disappeared.
The boat meanwhile drifted down toward the Wilson Cypress Company, where it was picked up by a party of white boys, who rowed out and towed the craft to shore. They stated that there had been no one in the boat. No oars were found but a pair of Scout pants were in the boat, it was said.
When the boy failed to return home his mother, Sunday, notified the Boy Scouts and the police of the fact, and a searching party was formed.
The lad was attired in dark trousers, white shirt with a dark stripe and without cap or shoes and stockings, when he left home, his mother said. He was last seen by his mother in the living room of their apartment reading. He was 5 feet 2 inches in height.
E. B. Wilder, who crossed the bridge about 10:20 a.m. reported to Chief of Police W. H. Minton that he had seen a boy standing in a row boat paddling under the bridge in the direction of the spot where the negroes claimed someone fell overboard. As the description was similar to that of the Burt lad, the theory that the boy had met death by drowning was further strengthened.
Descriptions of the missing lad have been broadcast from the Jacksonville municipal radio station WJAX.
Young Burt was a second class Boy Scout and was therefore able to swim. J. J. Sidwald, an executive stated. A theory held among his Scout companions that the lad may have run away seeking adventures, as he had told other boys that he intended to try it some time just to see what it was like.
The boy's father, who travels for the Armour Fertilizer Company, of Jacksonville, was summoned home from Monticello, Fla., and has since aided in the search.
Though dragging operations were unproductive during the past few days, belief was expressed that the negroes were deceived in judging the distance and that the searchers were working too close to land. The negroes pointed out the spot as about 100 yards from shore. The boy's mother is not inclined to believe that he has run away, owing to the fact that he was so lightly clad. (Patatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
Fifty dollars reward for the recovery of the body of J. Creth Burt, 13, believed drowned in the St Johns river, here, was offered this week by J. C. Burt, father of the boy, and H. K. Miller, his uncle.
The reward was prompted, it was stated, by the hope that it might cause fishermen, and employees of the various industrial plants along the river front to keep a sharp lookout during the next few days. It is believed that the body will soon rise to the surface.
Dragging the river has continued throughout the week, and dynamite was resorted to in the hope that it might cause release of the body in the event it had become entangled in hyacinths. G. W. Prater, deputy sheriff was placed in charge of the work and was authorized by Sheriff Hancock to employ such assistance as he might need.
Young Burt was an expert saltwater diver and swimmer, having acquired the art at Santa Monica, California. He had never swum in fresh water, so far as is known. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
A two-week search for James Creth Burt, 13-year-old boy, who disappeared from the home of his parents here December 18th, was ended Tuesday, when the boy's body was found floating in the St. Johns River near the bridge and only a short distance from the city docks.
The body, though having been in the water over two weeks, has been positively identified.
The boy's disappearance was a mystery as no one could positively say that he had been seen after leaving home, although it was reported that a person resembling the lad in a vague way had been seen in a boat in the river at the time young Burt disappeared. The boy's parents were out of town when the body was found.
The funeral of the unfortunate lad was held Wednesday afternoon from the Davis chapel; Dr. J. F. Savell of the Baptist Church, and Dr. Donald MacQueen of the Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Classmates of the seventh grade and a delegation of Boy Scouts escorted the remains to their last resting place in the Oak Hill East Cemetery. The following were the pallbearers: Messers, H. T. Ector, H. Blitch, J. S. Sigmund, "Bub" Taylor, Karl Barth and George F. Cagle.
The floral offerings were both numerous and beautiful. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 7 Jan 1927.)
Sam Harris and Rufus Bradley, negroes employed by the Zachary-Tyler Company, while working on a boom in the rear of the plant, gave the alarm about 11:30 Saturday morning that a man had fallen from a rowboat into the river. The negroes declared they had seen someone swimming behind the boat and heard him cry for help, but that the person sank before they could get a boat out from the boom. After the body disappeared the negroes reported the affair to the mill office, which in turn informed the sheriff's office.
Deputy Sheriff William M. Cannon investigating the affair, was not inclined to place much credence in the negroes' story as they were rather vague on what had actually happened. Bradley, the younger negro insisted he saw someone swimming behind the boat. Harris also said he thought he saw someone, but by the time they had got the boat out from the boom the swimmer had disappeared.
The boat meanwhile drifted down toward the Wilson Cypress Company, where it was picked up by a party of white boys, who rowed out and towed the craft to shore. They stated that there had been no one in the boat. No oars were found but a pair of Scout pants were in the boat, it was said.
When the boy failed to return home his mother, Sunday, notified the Boy Scouts and the police of the fact, and a searching party was formed.
The lad was attired in dark trousers, white shirt with a dark stripe and without cap or shoes and stockings, when he left home, his mother said. He was last seen by his mother in the living room of their apartment reading. He was 5 feet 2 inches in height.
E. B. Wilder, who crossed the bridge about 10:20 a.m. reported to Chief of Police W. H. Minton that he had seen a boy standing in a row boat paddling under the bridge in the direction of the spot where the negroes claimed someone fell overboard. As the description was similar to that of the Burt lad, the theory that the boy had met death by drowning was further strengthened.
Descriptions of the missing lad have been broadcast from the Jacksonville municipal radio station WJAX.
Young Burt was a second class Boy Scout and was therefore able to swim. J. J. Sidwald, an executive stated. A theory held among his Scout companions that the lad may have run away seeking adventures, as he had told other boys that he intended to try it some time just to see what it was like.
The boy's father, who travels for the Armour Fertilizer Company, of Jacksonville, was summoned home from Monticello, Fla., and has since aided in the search.
Though dragging operations were unproductive during the past few days, belief was expressed that the negroes were deceived in judging the distance and that the searchers were working too close to land. The negroes pointed out the spot as about 100 yards from shore. The boy's mother is not inclined to believe that he has run away, owing to the fact that he was so lightly clad. (Patatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
Fifty dollars reward for the recovery of the body of J. Creth Burt, 13, believed drowned in the St Johns river, here, was offered this week by J. C. Burt, father of the boy, and H. K. Miller, his uncle.
The reward was prompted, it was stated, by the hope that it might cause fishermen, and employees of the various industrial plants along the river front to keep a sharp lookout during the next few days. It is believed that the body will soon rise to the surface.
Dragging the river has continued throughout the week, and dynamite was resorted to in the hope that it might cause release of the body in the event it had become entangled in hyacinths. G. W. Prater, deputy sheriff was placed in charge of the work and was authorized by Sheriff Hancock to employ such assistance as he might need.
Young Burt was an expert saltwater diver and swimmer, having acquired the art at Santa Monica, California. He had never swum in fresh water, so far as is known. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
A two-week search for James Creth Burt, 13-year-old boy, who disappeared from the home of his parents here December 18th, was ended Tuesday, when the boy's body was found floating in the St. Johns River near the bridge and only a short distance from the city docks.
The body, though having been in the water over two weeks, has been positively identified.
The boy's disappearance was a mystery as no one could positively say that he had been seen after leaving home, although it was reported that a person resembling the lad in a vague way had been seen in a boat in the river at the time young Burt disappeared. The boy's parents were out of town when the body was found.
The funeral of the unfortunate lad was held Wednesday afternoon from the Davis chapel; Dr. J. F. Savell of the Baptist Church, and Dr. Donald MacQueen of the Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Classmates of the seventh grade and a delegation of Boy Scouts escorted the remains to their last resting place in the Oak Hill East Cemetery. The following were the pallbearers: Messers, H. T. Ector, H. Blitch, J. S. Sigmund, "Bub" Taylor, Karl Barth and George F. Cagle.
The floral offerings were both numerous and beautiful. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 7 Jan 1927.)
When it became known Saturday afternoon that Creth Burt, the thirteen-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Burt, of the Vickers Apartment, Oak street, had disappeared, a diligent search was made by the sheriff's deputies and Boy Scouts to locate the missing boy, and the river was dragged thinking the lad had fallen into the water and was drowned.
Sam Harris and Rufus Bradley, negroes employed by the Zachary-Tyler Company, while working on a boom in the rear of the plant, gave the alarm about 11:30 Saturday morning that a man had fallen from a rowboat into the river. The negroes declared they had seen someone swimming behind the boat and heard him cry for help, but that the person sank before they could get a boat out from the boom. After the body disappeared the negroes reported the affair to the mill office, which in turn informed the sheriff's office.
Deputy Sheriff William M. Cannon investigating the affair, was not inclined to place much credence in the negroes' story as they were rather vague on what had actually happened. Bradley, the younger negro insisted he saw someone swimming behind the boat. Harris also said he thought he saw someone, but by the time they had got the boat out from the boom the swimmer had disappeared.
The boat meanwhile drifted down toward the Wilson Cypress Company, where it was picked up by a party of white boys, who rowed out and towed the craft to shore. They stated that there had been no one in the boat. No oars were found but a pair of Scout pants were in the boat, it was said.
When the boy failed to return home his mother, Sunday, notified the Boy Scouts and the police of the fact, and a searching party was formed.
The lad was attired in dark trousers, white shirt with a dark stripe and without cap or shoes and stockings, when he left home, his mother said. He was last seen by his mother in the living room of their apartment reading. He was 5 feet 2 inches in height.
E. B. Wilder, who crossed the bridge about 10:20 a.m. reported to Chief of Police W. H. Minton that he had seen a boy standing in a row boat paddling under the bridge in the direction of the spot where the negroes claimed someone fell overboard. As the description was similar to that of the Burt lad, the theory that the boy had met death by drowning was further strengthened.
Descriptions of the missing lad have been broadcast from the Jacksonville municipal radio station WJAX.
Young Burt was a second class Boy Scout and was therefore able to swim. J. J. Sidwald, an executive stated. A theory held among his Scout companions that the lad may have run away seeking adventures, as he had told other boys that he intended to try it some time just to see what it was like.
The boy's father, who travels for the Armour Fertilizer Company, of Jacksonville, was summoned home from Monticello, Fla., and has since aided in the search.
Though dragging operations were unproductive during the past few days, belief was expressed that the negroes were deceived in judging the distance and that the searchers were working too close to land. The negroes pointed out the spot as about 100 yards from shore. The boy's mother is not inclined to believe that he has run away, owing to the fact that he was so lightly clad. (Patatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
Fifty dollars reward for the recovery of the body of J. Creth Burt, 13, believed drowned in the St Johns river, here, was offered this week by J. C. Burt, father of the boy, and H. K. Miller, his uncle.
The reward was prompted, it was stated, by the hope that it might cause fishermen, and employees of the various industrial plants along the river front to keep a sharp lookout during the next few days. It is believed that the body will soon rise to the surface.
Dragging the river has continued throughout the week, and dynamite was resorted to in the hope that it might cause release of the body in the event it had become entangled in hyacinths. G. W. Prater, deputy sheriff was placed in charge of the work and was authorized by Sheriff Hancock to employ such assistance as he might need.
Young Burt was an expert saltwater diver and swimmer, having acquired the art at Santa Monica, California. He had never swum in fresh water, so far as is known. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
A two-week search for James Creth Burt, 13-year-old boy, who disappeared from the home of his parents here December 18th, was ended Tuesday, when the boy's body was found floating in the St. Johns River near the bridge and only a short distance from the city docks.
The body, though having been in the water over two weeks, has been positively identified.
The boy's disappearance was a mystery as no one could positively say that he had been seen after leaving home, although it was reported that a person resembling the lad in a vague way had been seen in a boat in the river at the time young Burt disappeared. The boy's parents were out of town when the body was found.
The funeral of the unfortunate lad was held Wednesday afternoon from the Davis chapel; Dr. J. F. Savell of the Baptist Church, and Dr. Donald MacQueen of the Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Classmates of the seventh grade and a delegation of Boy Scouts escorted the remains to their last resting place in the Oak Hill East Cemetery. The following were the pallbearers: Messers, H. T. Ector, H. Blitch, J. S. Sigmund, "Bub" Taylor, Karl Barth and George F. Cagle.
The floral offerings were both numerous and beautiful. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 7 Jan 1927.)
Sam Harris and Rufus Bradley, negroes employed by the Zachary-Tyler Company, while working on a boom in the rear of the plant, gave the alarm about 11:30 Saturday morning that a man had fallen from a rowboat into the river. The negroes declared they had seen someone swimming behind the boat and heard him cry for help, but that the person sank before they could get a boat out from the boom. After the body disappeared the negroes reported the affair to the mill office, which in turn informed the sheriff's office.
Deputy Sheriff William M. Cannon investigating the affair, was not inclined to place much credence in the negroes' story as they were rather vague on what had actually happened. Bradley, the younger negro insisted he saw someone swimming behind the boat. Harris also said he thought he saw someone, but by the time they had got the boat out from the boom the swimmer had disappeared.
The boat meanwhile drifted down toward the Wilson Cypress Company, where it was picked up by a party of white boys, who rowed out and towed the craft to shore. They stated that there had been no one in the boat. No oars were found but a pair of Scout pants were in the boat, it was said.
When the boy failed to return home his mother, Sunday, notified the Boy Scouts and the police of the fact, and a searching party was formed.
The lad was attired in dark trousers, white shirt with a dark stripe and without cap or shoes and stockings, when he left home, his mother said. He was last seen by his mother in the living room of their apartment reading. He was 5 feet 2 inches in height.
E. B. Wilder, who crossed the bridge about 10:20 a.m. reported to Chief of Police W. H. Minton that he had seen a boy standing in a row boat paddling under the bridge in the direction of the spot where the negroes claimed someone fell overboard. As the description was similar to that of the Burt lad, the theory that the boy had met death by drowning was further strengthened.
Descriptions of the missing lad have been broadcast from the Jacksonville municipal radio station WJAX.
Young Burt was a second class Boy Scout and was therefore able to swim. J. J. Sidwald, an executive stated. A theory held among his Scout companions that the lad may have run away seeking adventures, as he had told other boys that he intended to try it some time just to see what it was like.
The boy's father, who travels for the Armour Fertilizer Company, of Jacksonville, was summoned home from Monticello, Fla., and has since aided in the search.
Though dragging operations were unproductive during the past few days, belief was expressed that the negroes were deceived in judging the distance and that the searchers were working too close to land. The negroes pointed out the spot as about 100 yards from shore. The boy's mother is not inclined to believe that he has run away, owing to the fact that he was so lightly clad. (Patatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
Fifty dollars reward for the recovery of the body of J. Creth Burt, 13, believed drowned in the St Johns river, here, was offered this week by J. C. Burt, father of the boy, and H. K. Miller, his uncle.
The reward was prompted, it was stated, by the hope that it might cause fishermen, and employees of the various industrial plants along the river front to keep a sharp lookout during the next few days. It is believed that the body will soon rise to the surface.
Dragging the river has continued throughout the week, and dynamite was resorted to in the hope that it might cause release of the body in the event it had become entangled in hyacinths. G. W. Prater, deputy sheriff was placed in charge of the work and was authorized by Sheriff Hancock to employ such assistance as he might need.
Young Burt was an expert saltwater diver and swimmer, having acquired the art at Santa Monica, California. He had never swum in fresh water, so far as is known. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 24 Dec 1926.)
A two-week search for James Creth Burt, 13-year-old boy, who disappeared from the home of his parents here December 18th, was ended Tuesday, when the boy's body was found floating in the St. Johns River near the bridge and only a short distance from the city docks.
The body, though having been in the water over two weeks, has been positively identified.
The boy's disappearance was a mystery as no one could positively say that he had been seen after leaving home, although it was reported that a person resembling the lad in a vague way had been seen in a boat in the river at the time young Burt disappeared. The boy's parents were out of town when the body was found.
The funeral of the unfortunate lad was held Wednesday afternoon from the Davis chapel; Dr. J. F. Savell of the Baptist Church, and Dr. Donald MacQueen of the Presbyterian Church, officiating.
Classmates of the seventh grade and a delegation of Boy Scouts escorted the remains to their last resting place in the Oak Hill East Cemetery. The following were the pallbearers: Messers, H. T. Ector, H. Blitch, J. S. Sigmund, "Bub" Taylor, Karl Barth and George F. Cagle.
The floral offerings were both numerous and beautiful. (Palatka Times-Herald Obituary dtd Friday, 7 Jan 1927.)
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