E. Hale Elston died attempting to save Eugene C. Burk from drowning, Mason, Illinois, August 28, 1924. While wading in Little Wabash River, Eugene, 15, was carried by the current into a pool 12 feet deep. Elston, 27, teacher, followed by another man, both of whom were on the bank and were clothed, swam 45 feet to the point where Eugene had disappeared. Elston dived for Eugene, and Eugene came to the surface with one arm around Elston’s neck. Eugene got on Elston’s back, and Elston did not reappear. Eugene remained at the surface a moment and then sank. Both drowned. The other man got into distress and also drowned.
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Obituary
Edward Hale Elston, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jasper Elston, was born in Jasper County, October 3, 1897, and died August 28, 1924, at the age of 26 years, 10 months and 25 days. He was married to Miss Mabel Carter August 20, 1917, and to them three sons were born, namely: Ivan, Lloyd and Ralph Warren, all of whom survive him. He leaves three brothers and three sisters, Howard L. of Palisades, Colo.; Roy, of Grand Junction, Colo., and Rue, of Storm Lake, Iowa; Mrs. Nora Wiles, Mrs. Mellie Dodd and Mrs. Appie Parker, of near Newton.
Two sisters have preceded him in death.
He was converted to Christ at Edgerton, Indiana, in 1920, and lived a consistent Christian life. He made the supreme sacrifice by giving his life for another near Mason, Illinois. He was one of the successful teachers of this section of the sate and stood high in his chosen profession.