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Charles Edward Christians

1966 - 1982

Boy swimming across lake drowns.

Goodell, IA - A 16 year old boy drowned late Saturday afternoon when he attempted to swim across a 300 foot lake.

Charles Edward Christians, 16, of rural Garner, the son of Mrs. Harlan Nuehring, was swimming at the Eldred Sherwood Park, three miles east of Goodell, when he and two companions decided to swim across the lake.

Authorities from the Hancock County Sheriff's Department said Christians' two companions already had swum to the other side and were watching him swim across. Authorities said Christians swam about 260 to 270 feet across the lake when he started to go under.

Authorities said the companions' repeated attempts to save him were unsuccessful.

Dragging operations were started immediately by the Belmond fire and rescue unit. Christians' body was located in 10 to 15 feet of water at 12:30 p.m., about an hour after he disappeared.

Authorities said the Iowa State Patrol investigated the drowning. The patrol was assisted by various groups from Belmond, Clarion, Mason City and Goodell.

source: Des Moines Register, 4 Jul 1982, page 3B, column 5

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