TWO LOSE LIVES IN CREEK TRAGEDY

Norman Rinker and Helen O’Neal Meet Death in Skating Outing on Monday

[The Welland Tribune and Telegraph, 3 February 1921]

On Tuesday morning Chippawa Creek, just below Orchard Grove, revealed a grim tragedy. The bodies of Helen O’Neal, daughter of James S. O’Neal, one of the most prominent grocers in this city, and Norman Rinker an electrician from Detroit, who has been since Christmas visiting his parents were taken from the water.

About two o’clock on Monday afternoon, Norman Rinker called up the O’Neal home, asking Helen to go skating. They went to the lower creek. It is believed that the starting point was the foot of John Street., as the overcoat and shoes of the boy were found there. When darkness set in and Helen had not returned Mr. O.Neal became most anxious. Nothing could be done in the darkness, but at daybreak, her father, accompanied by P.S. Peacock started to search the ice for traces of the missing couple.

At a point, a few feet from where the bodies were found, Mr. O’Neal first discovered the cap and later, near the mouth of the hole, the young man’s left glove. The chief of police was at once notified and he in turn informed the Fire Department. The department was at work shortly after eight o’clock and under the supervision of Chief Stapf, a dozen of the company dragged for the bodies.

Immediately after the arrival of pike poles which was about ten o’clock the body of Helen O’Neal was recovered, just a little way from the shore and in about ten feet of water.

It was not until an hour and a half afterwards that the body of the Rinker boy was found, about ten feet from the place where the first body was recovered. This was only made possible by breaking the ice for some distance around, and dragging, from flat bottomed boats.

Norman Kennedy Rinker was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. H.L. Rinker, 52 Randolph street. He was born in Pelham and was in his 24^th year. The family moved to Welland fourteen years ago. He is survived by his parents and one brother, Edward E. Rinker of Niagara Falls, Ontario. The funeral will take place from the family home tomorrow afternoon and will be private.

Helen E. O’Neal, was well known and well liked in this community, having been born in Welland seventeen years ago, on September 23^rd, 1903. Besides a grieving father, she is survived by one brother, John, at home and Mrs. William Boyd, in Georgia. The late Mrs. J.S. O’Neal, mother of Helen, predeceased her two years and three months ago.

Helen was an ardent member of the Fidele Class of the Methodist Sunday School, and also of the Methodist Church. The funeral was held this afternoon at 2.30. Interment was made at Fonthill.

A full measure of sympathy goes out to the homes that have been so sadly bereaved.