Three Boys of Maine Sunday School Drown In Lake Near Caribou: Little Madawaska Lake Takes Trio While on Class Camping Trip.

Schenectady Gazette, August 21, 1929

Schenectady Gazette, August 21, 1929

Caribou, Me., Aug 20 (UP) Three boys, members of a Sunday school class from the settlement of Colby, near here, which started out on a camping trip yesterday, were drowned in Little Madawaska lake last evening.

They were Albert Thomas, 16 years old; Horace Skidgle, 13, and Leonard Skidgle, 15.

Eighteen boys, all in their early teens, left Colby with the Rev. William Robbins, pastor of the Baptist Church there, and Colby Buzzell Jr., 18.

They were members of the minister’s Sunday school class and had planned all summer for the three-day trip to the lake, 15 miles away.

After lunch the party walked about Big Madawaska lake and crossed the “thoroughfare,” the stream which connects with Little Madawaska lake, in an old boot which was pushed across the 100-foot stream with poles.

Only two boys were allowed in the boat at one time, but on the way back to camp seven boys climbed in the little boat while Mrs. Robbins and young Buzzell were busy.

As they reached midstream a strong wind struck the boat and carried it about 100 feet into Little Madawaska.

Lewiston Daily Sun, Aug. 21, 1929

3 Young Boys Drown in Madawaska Lake; Four others saved after boat capsizes—rescuer ill;

Lewiston Daily Sun, Aug. 21, 1929

Caribou, Aug. 20 (UP)– Three boys, members of a Sunday school class from the settlement of Colby, near here, which started out on a camping trip yesterday, drowned in Little Madawaska lake last evening.

They were Albert Thomas, 16; Horace Skidgle, 13; and Leonard Skidgle, 15. Eighteen boys, all in their early teens, left Colby with the Rev. William Robbins, pastor of the Baptist church there and Colby Buzzell, Jr., 18.

They were members of the minister’s Sunday school class and had planned all summer for the three-day trip to the lake 15 miles away. After lunch the party walked about Big Madawaska lake and crossed the “Thoroughfare” the stream which connects with Little Madawaska lake, in an old boat which was pushed across the 100 foot stream with poles.

Only two boys were allowed in the boat at one time but on the way back to camp which had been pitched on the shore of the lake, seven boys climbed in the little boat while Mr. Robbins and Young Buzzell were busy.

As they reached midstream a strong wind struck the boat and carried it about 100 feet into Little Madawaska.
Overloaded as it was the boat capsized, throwing the seven boys into the water.

Mr. Robbins and Buzzell brought four of the lads to shore but the others sank, the Skidgle boys, who were cousins, pulling young Thomas from the boat where he was clinging.

Their bodies were recovered after several hours grappling.

Young Buzzell was under a physician’s care today due to his exertions in the rescue work