News Article of Death
Elsberry Democrat
Elsberry, Lincoln County, Missouri
August 24, 1928

Polk Fine, of Alton, Ill., a deck passenger of the river steamer Belle of the Calhoun, was presumably lost overboard and drowned late Tuesday night or early yesterday morning, officers of the Belle reported here on their arrival last night. Fine, a man of abut 55 years of age, boarded the packet at Alton and purchased a deck passage to Hamburg. Shortly after the boat passed Cuivre island, below Hamburg, his disappearance was noted and a search of the boat failed to reveal his presence. Officers were certain he had not gone ashore. Notice of the disappearance was made and a search for Fine's body started. -- Ouincy Herald-Whig.
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Drowns in Fall From Boat
Unknown paper and date

The many relatives and friends of James K Polk Fine were shocked to learn of his sudden death on Wednesday, August 15. Mr. Fine left Alton, Ill., the previous night on the steamer Belle of Calhoun, for Hamburg, Ill., intending to visit his son, Everett, who lives across the river from Hamburg. He was sleeping in the engine room and awakened at 1:30 a.m. and asked the fireman the time. About fifteen minutes later the pilot heard a cry for held from the water. The steamer was stopped, a small boat was let down, and a fruitless search was made for an hour for him.

Thursday, his sons Everett and Elmer, aided by Mr. Van Walton and Frank Farris, in a motor boat from Cuvier Island Club House. Searched for ten miles below the scene of Mr. Fine's disappearance, and continued on Friday. Saturday, with the aid of George Sparrow they motored to St. Louis and clues were run down in St. Charles, but nothing definite was learned. Monday, after a search extending farther down river, hope was finally given up of finding the body.

James K. Polk Fine was born January 8, 1852, and died August 15, 1928, making his age 76 years, 7 months, and 7 days. He was married when a young man to Rebecca Slater. Two children were born to them, a daughter, Now Mrs. Eva Earnest, of Hawk Point, and a son, Lee, who died in infancy. The mother followed her son to the grave within a few years. In the fall of 1874, Mr. Fine was married to Miss Sarah M. G. Womble, who died March 2, 1910, from effects of measles. Ten children were born to the union as follows:
* Mrs. George Ripper of St. Louis
* Mrs. Ollie Dillon of Wright City
* Ira E. Fine of Salisbury
* Mrs. Henry Nolting of Wright City
* and a twin brother Claude who died in early manhood
* Everett Fine east of Elsberry
* Elmer Fine of Alton, Ill
* Mrs. Plooma Norton of Silex
* Mrs. Jesse Dudley of Brazil, Mo
* Oather Fine of Hartford, Ill

Thirty-five grandchildren, several great-grandchildren and a host of other relatives and friends are left to mourn his going.