ELKHORN - JAMES JIMMY - Bar Harbor

Bar Harbor Record
July 18, 1896

DROWN IN LILIES
James  Jimmy Elkhorn Sank In Lily Bed In Witch Hole Pond

Little Jimmy Elkhorn, called by his boy friends "Pond Lily Jimmy" was drowned Thursday afternoon in Witch Hole Pond among the lilies which he loved to gather.  His body was found at night by William H. albert who was one of the searchers.  Jimmy, with Guy Bunker as companion, went out on the pond in the early afternoon for lilies in a punt built by himself.  The punt was a shaky, dangerous affair and Jimmy boasted that he could rock it without danger.  Jimmy had built many of these punts  when he lived near the pond where he met his death.  He was familiar with every nook of the pond and knew where to find the best lilies.
Every morning in summer Jimmy would appear at the cottages of the summer visitors and offer his sweet smelling flowers for sale and he became a familiar little figure about the streets.  Jimmy's father was an old soldier who died last winter leaving Jimmy alone with his mother.  They lived alone in the woods near Witch Hole Pond, but later moved into the village.  Thursday afternoon Jimmy, with Guy Bunker went out on the pond after lilies in Jimmy's punt.  Jimmy began to rock the boat after they had gathered lilies enough.  Young Bunker protested against rocking and suddenly both were spilled out into the water.
Bunker started to get a place on the upturned boat and called out to Jimmy not to swim for the shore.  Jimmy was a great swimmer and struck out.  He mad for a bed of pond lilies and suddenly sank from sight in the midst of them.  When found a few hours later the long stems of the lilies were wound about his limbs and in his hands he grasped a bunch of stems, as if he made a last effort to save himself by their aid.  Jimmy was fifteen years old.  Guy Bunker was rescued from the upturned boat by a man who was near.