RALPH WILLIS PATCHEN

A SAD ACCIDENT
On Sunday morning, Willie Patchen, the son of Dr. A.J. Patchen of this city,
went to the pasture near the Manitowoc Rivers known commonly as Rand's pasture
with his cow. While there he met a couple of little boys of about his own age
and it is thought they all went into the river to bathe. Willie undoubtedly went
too far, got beyond his depth and no help being near was drowned.
The little boys who were with him, met a gentleman near there and told him Willie
was drowned. He went to the river bank, found the little fellow's clothes and
gave the alarm. Search was at once made for the body and continued through all
the day and into the night but without success. On Monday morning, the search was
again resumed and the body was found about 9 o'clock.
Willie was a bright, intelligent little fellow and his loss is a dreadful blow to
the family. His mother who was absent in Dakota has been telegraphed for and is
expected to arrive today. The spot in the river where he was drowned has been the
scene of several such accidents and for some reasons appears to be unusually
dangerous.
Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, Aug. 5, 1884 page 3
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The funeral of Willie Patchen took place last Thursday and was attended by a
large number of friends. The family have the sympathy of the whole community
in their sorrow.
Manitowoc Lake Shore Times, Tues., Aug. 12, 1884 page 3
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Death by drowning of Wilhelm Patchen, son of a dentist, Dr. Patchen, last Sun.
in the upper Manitowoc River. He was playing with other boys in the river and
probably got into deeper water and was unable to swim. His body was not found
until Mon. morning.
Der Nord Westen, Aug. 7, 1884
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(William Patchen/drowned while bathing/from record of St. James Epis. ch., Manitowoc)