Miami Union

June 19, 1875 

HESTON, WM. (WILLIAM) - A Watery Grave - A Young Man Drowned in the Miami River Thursday - On Thursday afternoon a party of farmers from this vicinity were fishing in the Miami River near Cowlesville, and one mile north of Tippecanoe.  Near where they were seining the current was very swift and the water deep.  At about 4 p.m. Mr. Wm. Heston, a comparatively young man, who resides east of Tippecanoe, attempted to swim across the stream from one end of the seine to the other, and in doing so had to swim over where the water was the deepest and the current swiftest.  He swam well, and the first his companions knew of his falling were cries for help.  One of the party swam to his assistance, but was unable to rescue him, and came near being drowned himself by being drawn under the water by the sinking man.  The party worked for several hours in the endeavor to recover the body, but were unable to find it.  They finally offered a reward for it, and a party of workman continued the search in the evening with boats and hooks.  The body was found late Thursday night.  Heston was about 30 years of age, and unmarried.  He was raised, and has lived in this county most of his life.  His manner of death in the very presence of friends who could not render the necessary assistance to save him, is particularly sad.  Mr. Heston will be buried to-day; the order of Masons, Odd Fellows and Grangers attending.  Interment at Casstown.