Perhaps the saddest accident that has happened in Shawano for years was the accidental drowning of little Hope Brodhagen Tuesday noon. Just how the accident happened will never be known. Hope was playing with little John Gallagher Tuesday morning and about 11:30 took him home. On her way home it is supposed that she noticed the window in Mr. Wallrich's house opened and went to look in, and accidentally stepped on the cover of the cistern which is directly under the window, and fell in the cistern and drowned.

Mrs. Wallrich returned home from the lake about 11:30 and left word at the office for Mr. Wallrich to go home for dinner. She went to the house and noticed the board off from the top of the cistern and went to Mr. Gentz's to have him put a new one on. It was so near dinner time he said he would be over after dinner. At about 1:00 he came over, and while Mr. and Mrs. Wallrich were eating dinner, Mrs. Colwell, at whose house Hope stayed, was in just a few minutes before, asking if they had seen Hope. Mr. Gentz saw the board in the cistern and moved the same and saw a body there. He at once notified Mr. Wallrich, who investigated, and saw it was little Hope Brodhagen. He immediately notified Dr. Cantwell, who came at once, and they took the body from the water. All that was possible, was done, endeavouring to bring life back, but she was past aid. 

Mr. Wallrich then investigated matters more fully, and saw the window and screen were opened, and it could not be opened unless from the inside. He believes that some one was in the house recently and in going out jumped onto the cistern cover and broke the cleat on the house, which helps hold the board. Mr. Gentz tried the board a few weeks ago and it was perfectly safe. An inquest was held before Justice Bold in the afternoon, the jury consisting of Aug. Cattau, F. A. Eberlein, John Schweers, E.J. Sprague, Chas. F. Lueke and J. H. Pulcifer. They investigated into matters fully, and decided that Hope Brodhagen came to her death by accidental drowning. 

The death is a particular sad one. Her mother died about a year and a half ago. Her father thought the world of her, stating many times that she was all he had to live for. He left Monday night for South Dakota to be absent several months, and up to this time no word of the sad news has reached him. All possible efforts is being made to reach him by wire. The funeral will be held Sunday afternoon, with the hopes that he will be here. The deceased was about nine years of age and was a very sweet and loveable child. Very quiet and pleasant. She had made her home with Mrs. Colwell since her mother's death and attended the public school. She was a grand-daughter of Mr.  & Mrs. Wm. Parker of the town of Belle Plaine. 

The accident cast a gloom over the community and everyone expressed sympathy for the father. 
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