Paul F Kearney
Kentucky Post, Tuesday, 24 March 1936, page 1
SINKS TO DEATH-Paul Kearney, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. J D Kearney, 534 Linden avenue, Newport, a star athlete at Xavier High School, Cincinnati, was drowned. His companion, Jack Wubolding, 16, of 508 Linden avenue, also a Xavier High School student, was snatched from the brink of death by Eugene Moore, 17, of 320 Grandview avenue, Bellevue, a former Bellevue High School athlete.
The tragedy occurred shortly after 5 pm yesterday. Kearney and Wubbolding were riding about the bottoms in a kayak or Eskimo canoe. The youths were making a tack when the craft struck by a gust of wind overturned. Moore, riding over Fairfield avenue in a taxicab, saw the boat overturn. He had the driver, Virgil Ratchford, 326 Grandview avenue, Bellevue, speed to Patchen avenue where he jumped out. He swam to Wubbolding who was exhausted first and brought him ashore. Moore returned to go after Kearny, but he had sunk out of sight.
The tragedy also had been witnessed by Albert Bricking, Bellevue patrolman. The officer too far away to lend any aid, called the Life Saving Squads of Dayton and Newport, Bellevue firemen also responded. Firemen dragged the bottoms and the body was recovered by Ed Winters, Bellevue police chief. Kearney was one of the most popular boys at Xavier High School. He was a member of the swimming team, a star end of the football team and a baseball player. Besides his parents, Kearney leaves a brother, Jack and a sister Lenora.
Funeral services for the victim will be held Thursday at 8:30 am at the residence, with Requiem High Mass at 9 am at the Immaculate Conception Church. Burial will be in St Stephen Cemetery. Muehlenkamp, Costigan & Roll, Newport are in charge.