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Thomas Earl “Tom” Stearns

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Birth	:	14 Aug 1889 Victory, Vernon County, Wisconsin, USA
Death	:	20 Oct 1918 North Dakota, USA
Burial	:	Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate	:	46.8372002, -100.7466965
Description	:	DRIFTS WITH DEAD FOR DAYS IN OPEN BOAT ON BOSOM OF MISSOURI, MAD WITH DELIRIUM After traveling 222 miles in an open boat on the Missouri, with the dead body of his son for company on the last half of the trip and himself delirious with Spanish influenza for a greater part of the journey, with just enough strength left when his boat struck a sandbar opposite old Fort Lincoln to drag himself up on the bank, C. K. Stearns, a 72 year-old fisherman was discovered late yesterday afternoon, after lying a day and a night in the rain, and brought... Read More	DRIFTS WITH DEAD FOR DAYS IN OPEN BOAT ON BOSOM OF MISSOURI, MAD WITH DELIRIUM After traveling 222 miles in an open boat on the Missouri, with the dead body of his son for company on the last half of the trip and himself delirious with Spanish influenza for a greater part of the journey, with just enough strength left when his boat struck a sandbar opposite old Fort Lincoln to drag himself up on the bank, C. K. Stearns, a 72 year-old fisherman was discovered late yesterday afternoon, after lying a day and a night in the rain, and brought to St. Alexius hospital here, where today he shows signs of recovery. The son, who died while the boat was drifting with the current between Washburn and Bismarck, was Thomas Earl Stearns. He had registered for the draft at Plaza. The mad journey in an open boat was begun two weeks ago. There was very little food. Spanish influenza developed soon after the father and son set out on their voyage, whose destination was Bismarck. For two days both were delirious, and then the boy died. That was seven days ago. The father had expected to make the Bismarck boat landing, but he was unconscious when he reached this point, and his boat drifted past unnoticed in the dusk. Finally the frail craft brought up on a sandbar opposite old Fort Lincoln, south of this city, and after vainly endeavoring to get the boat in shore, the father left his boy's body lying in the boat and taking a thin blanket, waded to shore, where he lay down in a sheltered cove to await his death. Late Wednesday evening his feeble cries attracted a fisherman, who rushed to Bismarck for help. When Sheriff French and Coroner Shipp reached the scene in the sheriff's automobile, Stearns was too weak to walk. The constant soaking and exposure had turned his feet and limbs blue, and the feet were so swollen that the shoes could not be removed. He was carried to the car and hurried to Bismarck. At St. Alexius restoratives were administered, and he soon was so far recovered as to be able to give some details of his terrible experience. The body of Thomas Earl Stearns, the son, was later removed to a local undertaking establishment. His father believes that he died somewhere between Washburn and Bismarck. After the son's death the father was unable to handle the boat, which drifted at will with the current. Rain began to fall Tuesday evening, and all of that night and throughout Wednesday the aged fisherman, ravaged by Spanish influenza, was exposed to a steady downpour. At times he was wild with fever, and weird fantasies thronged round him as his bark drifted on, with the dead body of his son lying inert in the stern. He does not know how long the boat had been stranded on the sandbar when he regained consciousness and after endeavoring without success to dislodge the craft, left it there with its somber passenger and made his way to shore. The Stearns' have for years plied up and down the Missouri river as fishermen. At various times they have fished at the mouth of Apple creek and at other points in the vicinity of Bismarck, where they are well known. More recently they have made their home at Plaza. Thomas Early Stearns was 40 years old and was married, but he and his wife had not lived together for some time. * The Bismarck Tribune, Thursday, Oct 24, 1918, Pg. 1 Continues to Gain C. K. Stearns, the 72 year-old Plaza fisherman who was found on the Missouri river bank opposite old Fort Lincoln and removed to St. Alexius hospital Wednesday evening, after having been exposed to the elements for two weeks while drifting down the river from Williston with the body of his dead son, continues to make a favorable recovery today. His daughter arrived last night from Plaza to take charge of the remains of her brother, Thomas Earl Stearns, whose father believes him to have died while their boat was drifting somewhere between. * The Bismarck Tribune, Friday, Oct. 25, 1918, Pg. 8

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Thomas Earl “Tom” Stearns's memorial?
Thomas Earl “Tom” Stearns's memorial is located at: Fairview Cemetery, Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA.
When did Thomas Earl “Tom” Stearns death?
Thomas Earl “Tom” Stearns death on 20 Oct 1918 in North Dakota, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Thomas Earl “Tom” Stearns's memorial?
Latitude: 46.8372002
Longitude: -100.7466965

Family Members:

Parent

Charles Kimball Stearns

(1854 - 1930)

Spouse

Siblings

Children

Eunice Mona Stearns Woodiwiss

(1913 - 1990)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Fairview Cemetery
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8372002, -100.7466965

2. Bismarck Jewish Cemetery
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8363900, -100.7468600

3. Summerfield Pet Memorial Park
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8350400, -100.7486700

4. Sunset Memorial Gardens
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8372002, -100.7703018

5. Saint Marys Cemetery
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8153000, -100.7546997

6. Saint George's Episcopal Memorial Church Columbarium
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8109560, -100.7854140

7. McDowell Dam Pet Cemetery
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8262000, -100.6420000

8. Mandan Union Cemetery
Mandan, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8398590, -100.8717880

9. Greenwood Cemetery
Mandan, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7978400, -100.8662000

10. Saint Josephs–Greenwood Catholic Cemetery
Mandan, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7968087, -100.8666528

11. Lt Beaver Masonic Memorial
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7401900, -100.7627000

12. Saint Josephs Catholic Church Crypt
Mandan, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8297200, -100.8900800

13. Fort Lincoln Military Cemetery
Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7685280, -100.8581390

14. North Dakota Veterans Cemetery
Mandan, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7494125, -100.8481293

15. Annunciation Monastery Cemetery
Bismarck, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7210000, -100.7550000

16. Saint Josephs Cemetery
Mandan, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8360000, -100.9240000

17. Menoken Cemetery
Menoken, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.8226204, -100.5410690

18. Stewartsdale Cemetery
Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7078018, -100.6303024

19. Groveview Cemetery
Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9533005, -100.6007996

20. Saint Johns Cemetery
Mandan, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6983500, -100.8906300

21. Baldwin Cemetery
Baldwin, Burleigh County, USA
Coordinate: 47.0261002, -100.7285995

22. Heart River Cemetery
Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.7952995, -101.0289001

23. Harmon Cemetery
Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.9697250, -100.9651600

24. Saint Martins Cemetery
Huff, Morton County, USA
Coordinate: 46.6250300, -100.6561500