Our town was shocked and saddened beyond expression last Wednesday afternoon when two of our young men lost their lives in Deep River by drowning. Rufus Stokes and others were fishing with a seine near the bridge when he unexpectedly stepped into deep water, and becoming excited went down and coming up cried for help. Otis Whitehead, who happened to be on the bank, heard the call for help and plunged into the river to rescue the drowning young man. On reaching him hew as seized by Rufus around the neck and both went down, and in the death clutch failed to get to the surface any more. Help soon came, but when they were taken out it was found there was no recovery. No signs of life were shown by either one.
Rufus Stokes was about 20 years of age and has lived here for several years, except for a short period of service in the U.S. army. He leaves a good father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Stokes, sisters and brother, and many friends who are heart-broken over his untimely death. Our hearts go out to them in their sad bereavement and we would gladly help them bear the burden of sorrow. May God comfort them in this great trial.
Otis Whitehead was just coming into his own young manhood being 19 years of age. He filled a great place in the social life of the young people of the town and, as the only an oldest son can, a place in the hearts of his parents. No one can say aught but that Otis was a clean young man, quiet of disposition, studious, generous and kind. He became a Christian at the age of 10 and joined the Ramseur Baptist church of which he has been a faithful and loyal member till the call came for him to go home. The several organizations of the church lost a loyal member, the Sunday school a regular attendant, the home its brightest star. No one can fill the place; it is vacant. Only the Giver of life can bring comfort to the ones who are bereft. Father and mother, brothers and sister, all are so broken up little can be done to sustain them. But they weep not as those who have no hope. They expect to see him again and are so proud that he was such a manly son and brother as to give his life in the effort to save another. The call came from one who was an acquaintance but not a pal or special friend, but Otis like His Master, showed “that greater love that no man than to give his life for his friend.”
Much more could be said but his life speaks with more force than words. May his loved ones and all the community have the comfort of the Father above and learn from this tragedy the uncertainty of life and that after all there is but one thing to live for; to give service to man kind and worship and honor to God.
From the front page of The Courier, Asheboro, N.C., June 8, 1922
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