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Note: On 18 January 1910 he was bound out by the Forest County Commissioners as a ward of Wesley Barnes of Town of Stockton, Chautauqua County, New York. Name changed to Myles Raymond Barnes, 20 December 1943, County Court, Chautauqua County, New York; recorded county clerk's office.
1918-1920, U.S. Navy, USN serial #110 5 469, Quartermaster 3 rd Class, USS Swasey, TBD 273, Destroyer Squadron 4, 31st Division.
U.S. Merchant Marine Officer, First Class Pilot, Great Lakes, 1937-1964.
Journey boilermaker, high pressure steam vessel welding.
Will recorded Liber 56 of Wills, page 586, Surrogates Court, Chautauqua County, New York.
U.S. Veterans Administration Claim No. C 1 053 855
1910, T624, roll 930, New York, Chautauqua Co, Town of Stockton, ED 190, sheet 7B, dwell 14, family 14,
(living with foster parents and one other foster child, a single white female music teacher age 24) 1915, N.Y.S. census, Chautauqua Co Clerk's Office, Mayville, NY, Town of Stockton, Election District #3, Centralia, "in school"
1920, T625, roll 2041, Military & Naval, Volume 3, U.S.S. Swasey, sheet 1B, line 54, "Quartermaster 3rd Class"
1925, N.Y.S. census, Chautauqua Co. Clerk's Office, Mayville, NY, Election Dist. #6, village of Fredonia, Town of Pomfret,
Assembly District #2, 15 Chautauqua Street "steel laborer" again living with his foster family 1930, New York, Chautauqua Co, Fredonia village, Enumeration District No. 7-88, sheet 16B, 15 Chautauqua Street,
dwelling 368, family 402, (parents, 2 children, & widowed foster father) ***********************************************************************************
DUNKIRK EVENING OBSERVER, Dunkirk, NY, Saturday 18 May 1929, page 1
"2 local men drowned in Canada; In fishing party at Hollow Lake north of Toronto; Victims are William Zentz of Dunkirk and Norris E. Smith of Fredonia;
Meagre dispatch received Friday night; Bodies not yet recovered though companions, guides, and other fishermen are conducting seardh;
Lake is located in Canadian wilds.
According to a brief telegram received in Fredonia Friday evening two members of a fishing party at Hollow Lake, Canada, have been drowned. drowned are:
Norris E. Smith, 36, of 50 Barker street, Fredonia. William Zentz, 32, of 27 Willowbrook avenue, Dunkirk. No details of the accident are available. The bodied had not been found at the time the telegram was sent and the remainder of the party is engaged in a search for them. Mr, Smith and Mr. Zentz left Fredonia on Tuesday about noon with Dr. H.S. Edmunds, 124 Temple street, Fredonia; Miles Barnes, West Main street, Fredonia; Harry G. Waddington, 54 Newton street, Fredonia; and Dr. Joseph Meekin, Russo building, Fredonia. Their destination was Dr. Edminds' cabin "Cedar Nook" on Hollow lake, Ontario, Canada. The camp is located about five miles by water from the landing ordinarily used on trips to all points on the lake. The landing in turn is about ten miles from the nearest settlement, Dorset,
a small hamlet, from which there is telephone communication with Bracebridge where telegraph wires end. Following the departure of the ill-fated fishing party,
Dr. H.A. Pierce, his son Allen, and Dr. Edmunds' son Richard left on Tuesday evening. They are expected to return not later than Sunday evening. The remainder of the party had planned a two weeks trip. Several other sportsmen from this vicinity are either at other camps on the same lake or are planning trips there. At the Hollow Lake Hunting and Fishing Club, an organization of Chautauqua county men, are Willis W. Phinney of Dunkirk and his brother-in-law J.F. Sproul of Delevan,
N.Y., Dr. C.E. Hallenbeck of Dunkirk and the latter's brother Edward of Canadaigua, N.Y. At Echoi Island, another camp on the lake, George Shofner of Silver Creek is located. A.C. Barbeau, Charles Shoemaker and William Clawson, all of Silver Creek, left this morning to join Mr. Shofner at Echo Island. Jos.R. Rogers and a party of five from Jamestown were expected to leave for Hollow lake Friday. A party composed of A.E. Spencer and his son Arthur of Fredonia, and
T.D. Woods of Dunkirk returned from Hollow Lake this week. Norris Smith is well known in Fredonia, being owner of the Sackett-Smith Insurance agency and an active member of the Fredonia Memorial post, American Legion. He leaves a wife, a daughter DeLeo aged 6, his mother Mrs. Bertha E. Smith, and a sister Mrs.
Raymond Douglas of Houghton, N.Y. William Zentz was an employee of the Republic Light, Heat, and Power Co., having charge of the new business department of the Fredonia office. He is survived by his wife, a son William Jr. aged 7, and a baby daughter Maryln one year and ten months; five brothers, Frank and Irvin of Dunkirk, Henry and Royal of Buffalo, and John of Mayville; one sister Mrs. Forest W. Scott, Dunkirk and his mother Mrs. Augusta Zentz of 117 Eagle street, Dunkirk."
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DUNKIRK EVENING OBSERVER, Monday 20 May 1929, page 15
"Fishermen tell story of Hollow Lake accident; Three of party of six swim ashore, then rescue fourth - Two others drown.
Details of the accident in which two local men lost their lives by drowning on a fishing trip on Hollow Lake, Canada, were made known Sunday when two parties arrived home from Hollow Lake after talking with the four survivors of the accident. According to the story told by the returning sportsmen, the six men who composed the fishing party at "Cedar Nook", Dr. H.S. Edmunds' camp on the north shore of the lake, went out Thursday afternoon in a large boat equipped with an outboard motor. In the boat, besides Dr. Edmunds, were Norris E. Smith of Fredonia, William Zentz of Dunkirk, both of whom were drowned, Dr. Joseph Meekin, Harry Waddington and Miles Barnes, all of Fredonia. The north shore of the lake in this vicinity is sheltered from north winds by high hills that rise steeply from the shore. Not until the boat reached the narrows leading to Fletcher lake did the men become aware of the stiff northwest wind that was blowing. Apparently they discounted its effect on the water for they kept on through the narrows even after seeing rough water ahead. They went up through the narrows toward Fletcher lake until a wave came up over the bow and filled the bow of the boat which was separated from the rest by a division under the thwarts. This weighed down the bow and following waves completely filled the boat and it foundered. Smith and Zentz clung to the boat and were swept back through the narrows toward Hollow lake. How far away they drifted, the survivors were unable to say. The other four left the boat and struck out for shore. Miles Barnes, a Great Lakes sailor, reached the shore which was between 100 and 150 feet from where the boat foundered, with comparative ease. He and Dr. Meekin reached the west side of the narrows. Harry Waddington succeeded in getting to the east shore. When Barnes and Meekin got on shore and got in shape to see what had become of the others, they saw
Dr. Edmunds still in the water and making litle progress toward shore. They went to his rescue, just how, is somewhat in doubt because reports do not entirely agree as to these details. It is believed that one or both made use of a canoe or boat which they found on shore near a camp at the point where they landed. They believe that Smith and Zentz clung to the boat for at least half an hour. The boat was swept away toward Hollow lake and out of sight. After a short time
Dr. Edmunds was revived although he did not seem to be conscious when rescued. When returned to the camp all received medical aid that evening from
Dr. H.A. Pierce who had been on a fishing trip with his son Allen and Richard Edmunds, son of Dr. Edmunds. All were in good shape when Dr. Pierce and the two boys left Sunday morning. W.W. Phinney and Dr. C.E. Hallenbeck who were in another camp on the lake, saw the survivors on Friday morning and left the following morning for home arriving late that night. Provincial police arrived early Saturday morning with equipment to aid in the search for the bodies. Hopes are entertained
of finding them as the water is estimated to be about 30 feet deep in the vicinity of the accident. Dr. Meekin and Harry Waddington expect to return home next Saturday. Dr. Edmunds and Miles Barnes will remain longer unless the bodies are found in the meantime."
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DUNKIRK EVENING OBSERVER, Thursday 23 May 1929, page 8
"Still seeking bodies of 2 men in lake tragedy -
Search continues for missing members of local fishing party. Anxious friends and relatives of men who left Fredonia on May 14 for a fishing trip in Canada that terminated in the drowning of Norris E. Smith of Fredonia and William Zentz of Dunkirk are without details further than those received on the return of several men from Hollow Lake over the past weekend. So far as is known neither of the bodies has been found although the surviving members of the party aided by Canadian provincial police are making every effort to find them.
Dr. Joseph Meekin and Harry Waddington, both of Fredonia, members of the party, are expected to return on Saturday or Sunday and will doubtless bring further news from Hollow Lake where the tragedy occurred. Dr. Edmunds and Miles Barnes, the other remaining members of the party will stay as long as there is hope of accomplishing anything, probably returning about the end of the month."
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DUNKIRK EVENING OBSERVER, Monday 27 May 1929, page 5
"Survivors tell of drowning accident -
Dr. Joseph Meekin and Harry Waddington of Fredonia describe Hollow Lake tragedy Dr. Joseph Meekin and Harry Waddington, survivors of an accident on Hollow Lake, May 16, in which Norris E. Smith of Fredonia and William Zentz of Dunkirk were drowned returned home late Saturday night and brought with them the first eyewitness account of the accident. According to their story it happened as follows:
The party of six including those above mentioned and Dr. H.S. Edmunds and Miles Barnes, both of Fredonia, left the former's camp on the north shore of Hollow Lake about 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 16. They were in a large row boat powered by an outboard motor. They traveled about a mile and a half along the shore without difficulty as only small waves were running on the lake. They started up through a channel leading to Fletcher lake and found there that the water was somewhat rougher because of a wind blowing at an angle through the channel. They were not at all alarmed however and were leaving the channel before there was any warning of what was to come. Dr. Meekin was in the bow of the boat. Waddington and Zentz were on the next seat aft facing the stern. Next were Smith and Barnes, also facing aft, with Dr. Edmunds in the stern seat running the motor. A wave wet the seat on which Dr. Meekin was sitting and he stood up to get out of the water. As he did so he looked forward and a big wave filled the forward compartment formed by the thwart and a cupboard underneath. Other waves followed in quick succession before Dr. Meekin could warn Dr. Edmunds to head for shore. All except these two were facing the rear and did not realize their danger until some seconds later as all of the compartments filled when the bow had been weighted down with its load of water. The boat did not tip over but quickly settled and all of the men were in the water just as it was headed for shore. Dr. Meekin, Dr. Edmunds, and Miles Barnes immediately struck out for shore tellig the others to stick to the boat until aid could be brought. None were frightened and none thought that the result would be more serious than a bad dunking in cold water. All of the men were heavily clothed because of the cold water. This materially hampered them in swimming. Dr. Meekin wore a sheepskin coat, a sweater and a flannel shirt and hip boots which he was unable to get off. Barnes had heavy shoes, a slicker, a jacket wit sleeves and another without. Waddington had boots, and a heavy hunting coat. Smith wore a sheepskin coat, heavy rubber soled gym shoes. Dr. Edmunds wore short leather boots and a slicker over heavy clothing. Zentz was also heavily clothed. Barnes and Dr. Meekin were first to reach shore although they were in an exhausted condition. Both were unable to do anything for some time, estimated by Dr. Edmunds who was still in the water, to be five minutes or more. When they got so they could bring their minds to the condition of the others, they saw that Dr. Edmunds was in need of help. Waddington, Smith, and Zentz were still on the boat. Dr. Meekin hurried to a camp on the shore as best he could, for walking was difficult in his condition and each step seemed to take minutes. He called and a Mrs. Cassidy, the only person at the camp, answered him. He asked for oars for a boat that was on the shore and was told that the men of the camp had all the oars with them, she believed. Finally a broken oar with a blade not more than three inches wide was found and with this Dr. Meekin set out in the boat to rescue Dr. Edmunds. The latter was calling for them to hurry. The boat came within twenty feet and was swept away by the current and wind in spite of all Dr. Meekin could do with the broken oar. He called to Barnes to go out with the canoe. A paddle was found under the canoe and Barnes started out. He was more fortunate and the wind and current carried him to Dr. Edmunds, then about fifty feet from shore. As he approached him Dr. Edmunds went down and Barnes went over the side after him. Dr. Edmunds, realizing that he was drowning, has a vivid remembrance of seeing Barnes' legs coming toward him. Barnes got a hold on the drowning man and pulled him up giving him a hold on the canoe. Barnes managed to crawl into the canoe but in his weakened condition he stepped too near one edge and upset it, going into the water again. Instead of clinging to the canoe he struck out again for shore and called for help. By that time Dr. Meekin had his boat under control with the broken oar and paddled to Barnes. The bow struck him and he instinctively grasped it. Dr. Meekin paddled ashore with his load and by that time both were even more exhausted, The woman at the camp pulled Barnes out and Dr. Meekin set out for Dr. Edmunds and the canoe. This time he had a good set of oars which Mrs. Cassidy had provided. He made it easily to the canoe and Dr. Edmunds clung to the gunwale with his hands and one foot. Though the dock was only four or five inches out of water, neither Barnes or
Dr. Meekin had strength to get Dr. Edmunds on it. Again the help of Mrs. Cassidy was needed. The boat in which the six men were going fishing was about 150 feet from shore when the accident happened. It immediately started drifting down through the channel its gunwales awash with the water. As it was carried along it turned over and over with the waves, the men on it getting a new hold as it did so. They were not panicky and talked to each other as they drifted along, assuring each other that it wouldn't be long before help would come. Waddington stayed on the boat for about twenty minutes, he estimates, before he noticed that the boat was becomung less buoyant and rose to the surface more slowly after each time it went down. Waddington told the others that he thought the boat would not longer support three and he was going to try for shore. He had kicked off a heavy pair of wading boots and although he says he is not a good swimmer, he succeeded in reaching shore which was somewhat closer then, than when the others left the boat. He swam to the east shore of the channel and pulled himself up by a bush that was nearest him. Smith and Zentz stayed on the boat. None of the party saw either of them leave it but Dr. Edmunds and Miles Barnes agree in the belief that they saw only one man on the boat for a long time before it drifted into Hollow Lake, along the north shore and to the east. They believe they saw another man besides Waddington trying for the east bank and believe it must have been Smith. When Dr. Meekin got Dr. Edmunds ashore he and Barnes set about to search for those who still remained on the boat. They added another pair of oars to their equipment and both rowed the boat acroos the channel and along the north shore to the eastward. They found a boat but nothing else. No sign of Smith and Zentz. Nothing had been seen of their bodies. The two men landed and sat on shore, wet through with icy water and chilled to the bone by the water and wind. At times through the rescue operations and afterward, it snowed. They were over 200 yards from where Waddington was shivering on a barren rocky point. Barnes was for rowing back across the channel. Dr. Meekin was sure that neither or both of them could do it in their exhausted condition. They waited and later saw two men coming along the shore rowing a boat. They called and asked the men to build them a fire or take them across the channel. The two men thought it was strange that two able-bodied men with two pairs of oars and a boat couldn' row across alone. They went on past but at the urgent plea of Barnes and Dr. Meekin, they picked up Waddington and took him ashore where they learned the nature of the trouble. They then returned and got the others. On the way back they towed the boat with which the rescue work had been done. Although Barnes and Dr. Meekin had not noticed it before, the boat must have been rather leaky for on the way to the camp it sank. If the two men had attempted to row it back it is likely that they would have been drowned. Within an hour from the time of the accident the four survivors were at the camp where they had gotten their first help. They were dried out and given hot ginger tea. Later they were taken back to Dr. Edmunds' camp where they arrived about 2 p.m. A spinner found hooked in Barnes' clothing following the accident indicated that he had been tangled in his trolling tackle as he went into the water the first time. Both he and Smith were trolling on the way from the camp and were reeling in as they passed over the remains of an old dam in the channel. The two men who took the party back to camp had been fishing and their motor had stopped, forcing them to row home. Had it not been for this mishap they would doubtless have been in camp when the accident happened and all would have been saved. The party that afternoon searched the shore in the vicinity of the place where the boat had been found on the chance that either Smith or Zentz might have gotten ashore. Since that time the lake has been dragged and the search continued whenever weather permitted. Only a little fishing tackle has been found and that near near the point at the entrance to the channel. A certificate signed by the town clerk stating that a death report had been filed enabled Waddington and Dr. Meekin to bring Smith's car out of Canada. Dr. Edmunds expects to return to Fredonia next Sunday but the search for the bodied will continue even after that date unless they are found in the meantime."
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DUNKIRK EVENING OBSERVER, Monday 3 June 1929, page 8
"Last survivors of ill fated fishing trip return home - Dr. H.S. Edmunds of Temple street and Miles Barnes of West Main street, Fredonia, returned Saturday night from the former's camp on Hollow Lake, Ontario, Canada. They are the last two of a party of six to return home following the drowning accident on the lake in which Norris E. Smith of Fredonia and William Zentz of Dunkirk met death on May 16. Arrangements have been made to keep a watch for the bodies of the drowned men and their return to Fredonia and Dunkirk, should they be recovered. Natives of the Hollow lake section say that between June 10 and 15 a phenomena knmown as "bloomin" takes place in the lake which may bring the bodies to the surface. At this time vegatation rises in the lake and a kind of fermentation sets in. It is claimed that at points where the water is seventy feet deep or deeper its temperature never rises above 34 degrees Fahrenheit. Should the bodies have drifted to water of this depth they will not come to the surface, it is said. Dragging and dynamiting has been tried and found unsuccessful in recovering the bodies. The bottom of the lake is covered with logs, whole trees and other obstacles that makes dragging almost impossible. In spite of this, however, a few pieces of fishing equipment, and a pair of boots, which one of the party had kicked off, were brought up."
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