AGNEW, GREEN, BROWN

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Saturday, December 26, 2009 at 06:03:08 :

The Marin Journal
Thursday, December 28, 1916
Page 3

Parents Hear Sad News For Christmas

Sad news came to Mr. and Mrs. George Agnew at their C street home on Christmas day when they were told of the death of their son, Walter Agnew, who was on his way from Portland to spend the holidays with his parents.

Word came that the young man had fallen overboard from the steamer Breakwater about thirteen miles out of Portland. In doubt that saved them from the greater grief that would follow the certainty of identity, the sorrowing father clung to the hope that a mistake had been made until the arrival of the Breakwater. He was there to meet the boat and was told the particulars by a friend of Walter’s who was with him at the time of the accident.

From the account, it appears that the two were standing aft talking and smoking when the vessel lurched, causing Agnew to lose his balance and fall over the railing. He wore a heavy sweater under an overcoat and had his hands in his pockets. Unable to save himself by grasping the railing, he plunged into the water and was lost in the swirling foam of the storm tossed waves.

He had been working in Portland for several months and had about $300 with him. The identity now is practically certain, and the body probably never will be found.

He leaves a widow, a father and mother, Harry and Jack, brothers, and two sisters, Mrs. Marguerite Green and Mrs. Katherine Brown.