Theodore Oster

Payette Enterprise
Thursday, June 17, 1915

CHILD DROWNED IN PAYETTE DITCH
DEAD BODY OF LITTLE THEODORE OSTER FOUND IN IRRIGATION DITCH AFTER ALL NIGHT SEARCH

The dead body of little Theodore Oster, the six-year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Wilhelm Oster, was found in the Lower Payette Ditch, about nine o'clock Monday morning, at a point near the Crystal school house, after the parents and neighbors had put in the entire night hunting for the child.

The little boy was first missed by the Oster family, who reside about four miles north of Payette, a little after six o'clock Sunday evening. Search was immediately instituted by the parents, who were shortly after joined by a number of their neighbors, every effort being put forth to find the lost child. Soon after the alarm had been given the water was turned out of the canal and while one party was making a careful search along its banks others were hunting through the neighborhood orchards and the sagebrush along the nearby foothills, hoping to find or get some trace of the missing child.

It was not until nine o'clock Monday morning that the dead body of the little boy was found, in the body of the canal, about three miles below the Oster home, where it had evidently lodged when the water was turned out of the canal. From certain marks on the body it is probable that the little fellow fell into the canal some distance away from where the body was found and that it was swept along by the swift current, coming in contact with more than one of the big irrigating wheels along the stream.

The funeral took place from the German Lutheran church in this city at 11 o'clock Tuesday forenoon, being largely attended by the sympathizing neighbors and friends of the bereaved family.

Fruitland Banner (Friday, June 18, 1915)

Boy Drowned in Irrigation Ditch Sunday Evening

Teddy Oster, the six year old boy of Mr. and Mrs. Oster, who live on the O'Toole ranch five miles north of Payette, was drowned in an irrigation ditch Sunday evening about six o'clock, the body being recovered Monday morning near Crystal, about five miles below where he fell in.

Payette Independent (Thursday, June 17, 1915)

OSTER BOY DROWNED
THEODORE OSTER, SON OF MR. AND MRS. W. OSTER, ACCIDENTALLY DROWNED SUNDAY

When Last Seen He Was Walking Down Ditch Bank - all Night Search - Body Recovered Monday at 10 a. m. Three and One-Half Miles Down the Ditch - Funeral Services Tuesday

Theodore William Oster, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. Oster, age 6 years was accidently drowned in the irrigation ditch 3 1/2 miles from his parents' home last Sunday evening and the body was not recovered until 10 a. m. Monday morning.

As long as he had lived with the exception of the past year Theodore had been a sickly child, causing his parents a great deal of anxiety and worry. since he was not a healthy child but an afflicted one, he had to be watched all the time. In spite of his peculiar affliction he readily responded to music, the most simple song attracted him. Obviously the irrigation ditch near the home wa a constant danger to him. It was last Sunday while the parents were absent on a visit, at 5 o'clock p. m. it was known that he had crossed the ditch near the home and then no trace could be found of him. The neighbors assisted in searching for him ut in vain. It was improbable that he had wandered away and it was feared that he had accidently met death while crossing the ditch. The water was turned out of the ditch, and late that night he could not be found. Searching was resumed early the next morning and finally at 10 a. m. the body was discovered in the ditch about 3 1/2 miles from the home. He was 6 years, 2 months and 11 days old. Funeral services were held at the German Lutheran church on Tuesday afternoon.