Hellon Bundy, 20, Drowns in Holt's Lake, June 5, 1921

Young Selma Lady Drowned in Lake. . . Miss Hellon Bundy Meets Death When Boat Overturns; Funeral Yesterday

Selma, June 6—Miss Hellon Bundy, aged 20, daughter of J.H. Bundy of Selma, was drowned Sunday afternoon in Holt’s Lake, a few miles from Smithfield, when the boat in which she was riding with a friend overturned. The tragedy occurred about 5:30 o’clock, and although the body was recovered from the water less than 30 minutes afterwards, every effort to restore her to life failed.

O.W. Sasser and Miss Bundy were in one boat and Luther O’Neal and Miss Rosa Sasser of Raleigh, sister of Miss Bundy’s companion, were in another at the time of the accident. In some manner the boat occupied by Mr. Sasser and Miss Bundy overturned in 20 feet of water just a few feet from the boat carrying Mr. O’Neal and Miss Sasser. Miss Sasser became excited and came near overturning the other boat. It was necessary for Mr. O’Neal to carry her to land and then rush back in an effort to save Mr. Sasser and Miss Bundy, who were struggling in the water.

Mr. Sasser fought desperately to bring the young lady to safety, but before land would be reached she loosened her hold and sank. Others joined in the rescue party and pulled Mr. Sasser from the water. He had begun to turn black from strangulation and his condition today was such that he was unable to attend the funeral services for the young lady. The body of Miss Bundy was recovered a short while later, but efforts to bring her to life failed.

The remains of Miss Bundy were brought to her home here and the funeral services were held from the residence this morning, being conducted by the rev. G. B. Perry of the Methodist church, her pastor, assisted by the Rev. B. Townsend of the Baptist church. The body was then taken to Mount Olive, the old home place, where it was interred this afternoon. A large number of friends from Selma and this section accompanied the remains to Mount Olive.

Miss Bundy was a popular young lady of this section and news of her tragic death was received with deep regret by her many friends. (next four lines obscured) Bundy, one brother, Presley Bundy, one half-sister, Mrs. Elizabeth Winslow of Corapeake, and three half-brothers, Will A. Bundy of Gumberty(?), C.a. Bundy of Norfolk, and O.J. Bundy of Mount Olive.

From the front page of The Dunn Dispatch, June 7, 1921