Raymond Hooker
New Plymouth Sentinel
Thursday, July 12, 1917
TWO FRUITLAND BOYS DROWNED
Ray Hooker and Glen McCleur Drowned In the Snake
Fruitland, Ida. - Glenn McCleur, 13-year-old son of James McCleur, and Raymond Hooker, 14-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. George Hooker were drowned in an arm of the Snake river a mile and a half west of Fruitland at 9 o'clock Monday evening. Young McCleur was pulled down while trying to rescue the Hooker boy.
The boys were members of a patrol of Boy Scouts which had gone out for an overnight hike under the leadership of the Rev. Ford Burtch of the Baptist church.
Several of the party had been in swimming when the accident occurred. When Raymond Hooker began to go down, young McCleur, who was a good swimmer, went to his rescue, but the drowning boy seized him around the neck and he could not break the hold. Two other boys who went to the aid of the struggling pair were too late. The accident occurred so suddenly that the scoutmaster did not see it.
The bodies could not be found on Monday night, but the entire population has been summoned to make a search Tuesday morning.
A brother, Russell, of Raymond Hooker is a member of 1 company, Second Idaho, on bridge guard duty. Statesman.
Fruitland Banner (Friday, July 13, 1917)
Two Boys Drown in Snake River
Glenn McClure and Raymond Hooker Lose Lives While In Swimming
Two Fruitland boys, Glenn McClure and Raymond Hooker, both thirteen years of age, were drowned in what is known as Ramey's slough, about one mile west of town, at nine o'clock last Monday evening.
Young McClure's body was recovered about five o'clock Tuesday evening within a few feet of where it went down, while that of the Hooker boy was not found until Thursday evening about six o'clock at the mouth of the Malheur river.
The boys, members of a patrol of Boy Scouts, under the leadership of Rev. Burtch, of this place, had gone out for a hike, intending to camp overnight. Rev. Burtch and some of the boys had crossed the slough to the Ramey island to establish a permanent camp for the night and were some distance away when the accident happened.
Several of the boys had gone in swimming and Glenn McClure had floated down the slough, through which quite a strong current flows this time of year, on a log, and Raymond Hooker, who was standing in shallow water, made a leap for the log, but missed it and was taken into water from 20 to 25 feet deep.
When Raymond Hooker began to go down, young McClure, who was a good swimmer, went to his rescue, but the drowning boy seized him around the neck and he could not break the hold. Two other boys who went to the aid of the struggling pair were too late, the accident occurring so suddenly and at the point where it was very difficult to lend any aid.
Funeral services for the two boys were held in the Baptist church this morning at 10 o'clock, conducted by Rev. Derry (?) of Ontario, and Rev. J. E. Shamberger, of Fruitland. Interment was made in Riverside cemetery at Payette.
