Lawrence County PA Archives Obituaries.....McCreary, Nelson June 23, 1901
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Shari M. Price sharimprice@softhome.net January 25, 2024, 7:57 am

New Castle News (PA), Dated June 24, 1901
Nelson McCreary of the Seventh Ward, lost his life in the 
Mahoning river, Sunday afternoon about 3 o'clock in 
attempting to save his younger brother , Carl, from 
drowning.  The sad accident occurred just below  the 
Lawrence Junction, where the Shenango river enters the 
Mahoning.  Nelson could not swim, but plunged into the water 
to rescue the younger boy. Carl, who is 13, was saved, but 
his 17 year old brother paid tribute with his life for his 
heroism.  The boys went to bathe, Carl could not swim and 
was paddling near the bank.  While playing about he lost his 
cake of soap.  It floated out into deep water and he 
attempted to reach it.  In doing so he went in over his 
depth and at once sank. An eddy so strong that it is almost 
of the proportions of a whirlpool, circles around where the 
Shenango loses it's identity.  This has in long years cut 
out the earth and formed a hole so deep that no man has ever 
reached the bottom.  Into this depth Carl McCreary sank.  
His body was whirled around and came to the surface. The 
second and third times the child sank. Nelson ran 
frantically about on the shore.  He called for help, but 
none came.  He could not swim, but could not see his little 
brother die without and effort to save him.  So he plunged 
into the turbid water.  His attempt was futile, and resulted 
in his own death. Nelson never reached his brother, but 
instead, he sank rapidly and his body was not recovered for 
some time. Just as Nelson took his fatal jump rescuers 
arrived in sight.  They were too late to save the boy who 
made the useless sacrifice of his own life, but they rescued 
the younger boy.  William Catlin of Moravia street, and the 
two Lutton boys had heard the frantic calls for help.  They 
were in that neighborhood and ran to assist.  Nelson had 
sank before they reached the spot. The whirling waters 
brought the body of the younger boy to the surface again, 
after he had disappeared for the third time.  He was wept 
around and around and was caught and saved by the three men 
who reached the water's edge but a moment before.  Carl was 
unconscious and life was almost gone.  Only the hardest 
effort sufficed to resuscitate him.  Nelson was beyond help 
and his body was not recovered for some little time later. 
Cochran's ambulance was summoned and arrived quickly on the 
scene.  After work the remains of the elder boy were taken 
from the water and conveyed to the home of Mr. and Mrs. M. 
L. McCreary of Cherry street, Seventh Ward.  The father is 
employed as watchman of the Sanitary Supply company which is 
now erecting a plant near the New Castle Junction. The dead 
boy was well known in he locality where he lived, and was 
much liked.  He was a bright youth, and all will regret to 
know of his death.  He is survived by four brothers and 
three sisters, who are; Joseph, Martin, Charles and Carl, 
Mrs.Daman and the Misses Elsie and Mazie, who live at home. 
The funeral service will be held from the family home 
Tuesday morning at 9:30 o'clock, and the interment will be 
at Hillsville. Coaches from Cochran's.

Additional Comments:
Originally submitted May 2004.

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