Bridgeport Telegram-Union, Monday, September 9, 1901

SISTERS DROWNED

Double Tragedy in Pembroke Lake Saturday Evening

PARENTS PROSTRATED

Girl Loses Her Life in Effort to Save Her Sister

Mamie and Delia Larkin, aged 17 and 16 years, respectively, daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Larkin, of 2039 Seaview Avenue, were drowned while bathing in Pembroke lake (sic) Saturday evening. The incident was a particularly sad one and so strongly affected the father and mother that they have been constantly under the care of physicians ever since.

At an early hour Saturday evening the two girls resolved to go into the lake for a swim. Annie McCue, a friend, prepared to join them. Another friend, Maggie Tate, did not care to go in and stood on the bank. She was the only one who was able to give an accurate account of the accident.

The two Larkin girls had not been long in the water when the tragedy occurred. Mamie went out beyond her depth and began to sink. Delia went to her assistance at once, and in a moment both girls were struggling in a desperate effort to save themselves. The spot where they sank was a treacherous one, the water being much deeper than at other places nearby.

As the girls sank they screamed loudly and several young men including Frank and George Laubscher, Fred Blagriff, John McCue, Jack Costigan, George Baker, Edward Patterson, and Thomas Hughes, plunged into the lake and went to their assistance. They could not arrive in time to save the girls' lives. Frank Laubscher brought the body of Mamie Larkin to the surface, and Glagriff found that of Delia Larkin.

Both bodies were laid on the bank and Dr. Guernsey arriving soon, did all that was possible to restore life, but in vain. Acting medical examiner Godfrey came soon after and ordered the removal of the bodies to the house. The parents of the two girls were completely overcome. When the alarm was first given both rushed down to the water in the vain hope that they could render some assistance in rescuing the drowning girls. Mr. Larkin was very much excited, and falling to the ground, rolled into the lake. He was rescued by one of the young men who had run to the assistance of the sisters. Mrs. Larkin was on the point of jumping into the water, but was restrained by her husband. Both were prostrated and are now under the care of a physician.

Annie McCue, the girl who was preparing to join the Larkin sisters in the water, was so badly affected by the accident that her reason was for some time in danger. Up to a late hour Saturday night she was at her home on Ogden Street, suffering from spasms, and tearing her hair. The funeral of the two girls will be held from their home, 2039 Seaview avenue(sic) at 8:30 o'clock this morning, with services at St Mary's Church at 9 o'clock, and interment in St. Michael's cemetery.

The Bridgeport Evening Post, Monday, September 9, 1901

DROWNING OF TWO SISTERS

A very sad drowning fatality in which Mamie and Delia Larkin, sisters, 15 and 16 years of age lost their lives occurred Saturday evening on the shores of Pembroke lake.

The two girls in company with another girl named Annie McCue desired to go bathing and so repaired to the lake and donned their bathing suits. The two Larkin girls were in the water only a short time when the accident occurred. Mamie went out too far and stepped in a hole she screamed and Delia went to her assistance. The spot where the girls were is a dangerous one and in their struggles both girls were drowned.

Annie McCue stood on the bank and saw her companions drown. She was powerless to give them assistance. The scene rendered the girl almost insane. She is now under the care of a physician. The bodies were recovered by Fred Balgriff, John McCue, John Costigan, George Baker, Edward Patterson and Thomas Hughes.

The mother and father of the girls are prostrated by the sad afflication that has befallen their lot. It was with difficulty that they were restrained from plunging into the waters of the lake in which their children had suffered death.

The funeral services were held at the residence of the parents 20-- Seaview ave at 8:30 and at St. Mary's church at 9 o'clock this morning. The services were attended by a large number of employees of the U.M.C. Co. where the girls worked. The interment was at St. Micheal's cemetery.

The church mass was celebrated by Rev. Father Ford. The pall bearers were Messers Tate, Callahan, ---, Bray, Seamen, Devine, Tolson, Jones, Voucher, Heffermiller and Hogan.

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