Rock river claimed two more victims Sunday afternoon at about 5 o’clock when Walter "Bud" Leopard of 368 Everett street, and Miss Lynett Jean Seger, daughter ot Mrs. Bessie Segar of Eric, drowned south of the boundary of Lowell park. Four others were in danger of losiing their lives in the same manner in the rescue attempts following the swamping and overturning of a row boat in which Miss Seger and two young women companions were enjoying a ride.

The bodies were recovered in about 20 feet of water at 3:15 o' clock this morning by -two crews who were operating rescue equipment brought to the scene from the Sterling fire department. Sterling Fire chief Connie Nicol, A. P. Remington of Sterling and State Police Officer J. E. McIntire of Dixon were operating the rescue squad which recovered Lepperds body and a few minutes later, another crew consisting of Dement and Jack Schuler of Dixon and Curtis Thorpe of Erie, recovered Miss Seger's body.

The rescue equipment from both the Dixon and Sterling fire departments was taken to the scene and flood lights, furnished by the lllinois Northern Utilities Company were set up on the bank in the Walgreen Hazelwood estate to assist the rescue crews. State Ofticers Mclntire and W. H. Austin assisted the rescue crews until the bodies were recovered. Dixon firemen and volunteer workers manned the drags which operated continusly for more than nine hours before the bodies were recovered. An inquest was scheduled to be held at the Melvin Funeral home, this afternoon at 3 o’clock.

Miss Seger, who resided at 317 North Galena avenue, formerly employed at the Green River ordinance plant and two companions; Miss Cheryl Hahn, 615 College avenue, and Miss Orva Landis, 322 Sixth street, were enjoying a ride in a boat which they had rented at~ the Lowell park boat livery, and were down stream from the park.

According to reports, five young men, Lepperd, Herschel Thompson, C. W. Woessner, Lawrence Burch and L. C. Pierce were occupants of a motor boat belonging to Harold Coss. Woessner and Burch came near losing their lives when they attempted to rescue the two drowning victims and after a heroic struggle were forced to abandon their efforts in order to save their own lives.

From statements made by occupants of the launch, they had stopped to tow the row boat back to Lowell park and Lepperd was said to have been sitting on the stern of the motor boat. When the motor boat started, the back wash partly filled the row boat and both boats came to a stop.

Lawrence Burch who was operating the launch stated that the young women called for a bucket to bail out the water in their boat and a large can was thrown to them. Their boat was about half full of water and Lepperd was in the water when I looked back,” Burch stated. “Whether the girls shifted to one side of their boat I don’t know, but suddenly it capsized and the three of them were in the water. Two clung to the over-turned boat, but the third did not.

I jumped out of the launch and went to her rescue but she caught me around the waist and we went to the bottom of the river in about 15 feet of water. She continued to struggle and I finally caught her by the hair and we came to the surface. I was about exhausted and lost my hold and she sank.”

C. W. Woessner, one of the occupants of the launch, stated that he observed Lepperd in the water struggling and knew that he was not a good swimmer. He went to Lepperds rescue and succeeded in reaching the drowning man who struggled with him and both were in danger of drowning, when Woessner lost his hold and managed to swim back to the launch.

Soth Miss Hahn and Miss Landiis clung to the overturned row boat until they were hauled from the water by occupants of other motor boats, and taken to Lowell park, after which they were re moved to their homes.

John Miitchell, life guard at the Lowell park beach and other swimmers went to the drowning scene as soon as the word of the tragedy reached the park and the former remained on duty until the bodies were recovcred this morning.

Mrs. Bessie Seger and two Sons of Erie arrived at the park late last night and the latter assisted in the rescue operations for a time, together with other friends who accompanied them. All of the parties who figured in the double drownings had been enjoying picnic outings at Lowell park.

The funeral of Mr. Lepperd will be be at the late home at 2:15 o'clock Wednesday afternoon and at the Methodist church at 2:30. Floyd L. Blewfield, pastor, officiating.