A very distressing accident happened Monday evening, May 20, 1918, at the Ben Welch home north of Manning when Howard Wesly Welch, the baby son of Mr. and Mrs. Welch lost his life by drowning. Mr. Welch had been busy all day as one of the committeemen on the War Savings Stamp and Red Cross drive and his wife and the two sons were alone at home when the accident happened.

The little boy, aged not quite two years, was playing with older brother about the barn yard when the accident happened. How it happened will never be known, but it is thought that the child, while playing, toppled over the water tank into the water. A moment later Mrs. Welch missed her child and on searching found him floating in the water tank. She seized her boy and carried him to the house and hastily called to the nearest neighbor, John Musfeldt, who hurried there as quickly as possible. The boy was still alive, and Mr. Welch and doctors were hurriedly called. But after working over the little one for some time the last spark of life fluttered away, leaving the distracted parents to mourn one they dearly loved.

Funeral services were held from the Manning M.E. Church Wednesday, Rev. Cook, M.E. minister of Gray, conducting the services, assisted by Rev. Illsley, pastor of the M.E. Church of Manning.

Burial in the Manning Cemetery.