LESTER E. HUFF IS DROWNED IN BLUFORD LAKE

Tragedy Occurs late Yesterday When Rowboat Tips Over.

Lester Elmo Huff, 38, of Bluford, drowned in the Bluford Lake late yesterday afternoon when a rowboard turned over in deep water.

Mr. Huff, who was known by the nickname "Granny" by many of his friends, was fishing with a friend, Rab Keen of Keenes, when the tragedy occurred.

They were running a trot line and Huff was rowing when the boat tipped over, about 30 feet from the dam on the east side of the lake.

Mr. keen, who was able to swim to safety, told Coronoer Ben Roeder that he did not know what caused the boat to turn over. He said that Huff held on to the boar for a time before sinking.

The coroner scheduled an inquest for 2:30 p.m. today at the Pulley Funeral Home.

Mr. Huff's body was recovered in about 45 minutes. Using a grappling hook from a rowboat, Hugh West recovered the body.

Mt. Vernon firemen used the city-owned inhalator and gave artificial respiration for almost an hour before he was pronounced dead by a physician.

Funeral services will be held Monday at 3:00 p.m. at the United Brethern church in Bluford, with the Rev. C. Martin, the pastor, officiating. Burial will be in Hickory Hill cemetery.

The body will remain at the Pulley Funeral Home, where friends may call at any time after 10 a.m. Saturday.

Mr. Huff was born May 9, 1910 at Bluford, the son of Oscar and Martha (Davis) Huff.

On February 6, 1946 he was married, in Morganfield, Ky., to Helen Kirkpatrick, who survivies.

He was a member of the United Brethren church of Bluford.

Besides his wife, he is survievd by two daughters, Patsy and LaVern, both at home; his mother, Mrs. Martha Huff; one sister, Greta Howard of Centralia; and seven brothers, Hershal and Ralph of Bluford, Harper of Wayne City, Cecil fo State Center, Iowa, Clarence of Albuquerque, N.M., Earl of Bakerville, Calif. and Orville of Colorado Springs, Colo.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, the former Minnie Young, who died in January, 1939.

He was also preceded in death by his father, Oscar, and one brother, Glen.

Source: Mt. Vernon Register-News
Date: Friday, December 10, 1948, page 1
Transcribed and submitted by: Sandy (Whalen) Bauer
Relationship: 2nd cousin, 3 times removed