LAUFF, BUEHL

Posted by Cathy Gowdy on Monday, August 14, 2006 at 06:51:59 :

Marin County Tocsin
Saturday, July 24, 1897
Page 3

Drowned At Bolinas Beach

A terrible double tragedy occurred last Wednesday morning at Bolinas Beach, resulting in the death by drowning of Charles Buehl, a visitor, and George Lauff, a native of the town and one of the well-known young men of Marin county.

Buehl had been sojourning in Bolinas for several weeks and was a constant patron of the beach. He was a strong swimmer for one of his years, over three-score, and often ventured out rather farther in the ocean than was considered prudent. Old hands had remonstrated against his dangerous pastime, but he seemed to be confident of his ability to take care of himself, and paid no heed to advice.

Last Thursday morning about 11 o’clock he entered the surf for his usual dip and at once struck out for the second line of breakers. Shortly after, he called vigorously for help, and was seen to struggle desperately, as though overcome by cramps.

George M. Dodge of San Rafael and Charles Myrick, a visitor, were in bathers’ attire, and responded immediately, reaching Buehl before he sank. George Lauff was working in the near neighborhood and also rushed to the rescue, plunging into the ocean fully dressed, except his coat, and lent powerful assistance to Dodge and Myrick in their gallant efforts to sustain the dying man. Others sped to the village store and procured a rope, which was brought to the beach by a team on the run. This was carried out to the struggling men who tied it around Buehl’s body and dragged him ashore. Lauff struck out for the beach. No special attention was paid to him, but, according to a bystander examined by the Coroner’s Jury, he reached a point where he gained a foothold and had taken a step or two when a huge breaker submerged him. The excitement over Buehl, however, ran so high that he was not observed further.

Buehl was insensible when dragged up on the sand, but no one supposed at first that life was extinct, as he had not been submerged for more than a very few seconds at a time. However, the efforts to resuscitate him proved in vain. Dr. Gibson, assisted by willing hands, exhausted all known means of restoring vitality, long after the hopelessness of their efforts was apparent to all, but the victim was beyond all human aid. It is believed that mortality resulted, in fact, from other causes than drowning; that, in reality, heart failure or apoplexy, superinduced by his grave peril or by other causes, was responsible for his death. It seems clear, at all events, that his head was below the surface for the briefest periods and some claim that it was not submerged at all.

But after an hour’s work on Buehl, those on the beach were horrified to find that another tragedy claimed their attention. A body was observed tossing in the surf, and when it was drawn ashore the appalled spectators discovered it to be the remains of brave George Lauff, who had heroically risked his life to save another. No one doubted that his case was beyond redemption, but nevertheless the same efforts to restore vitality were employed that had been tried in vain with Buehl. After a prolonged effort, the bodies were laid out side by side in a tent, and Coroner Eden was summoned from San Rafael. That officer held an inquest on his arrival, and the jury rendered a verdict of accidental drowning.

George Lauff was only 23 years old. His father, C. A. Lauff, is one of the pioneers of the county, now far advanced in years, and the blow to him must be a crushing one. The deceased was a dashing manly youth, physically vigorous and full of promise. We can only lament, in common with all his friends, that the soldierly qualities that prompted him to swim fully dressed into the angry surf, facing death courageously to save an imperiled life, did not have an opportunity to develop to their full usefulness.