NameAnna Laurel (Laura) Scharlau 21
Birth9 Feb 190320
Death26 Aug 1917
FatherFrederick Wilhelm Scharlau (1858-1938)
MotherAnna Catherine Smith (1867-1914)
Misc. Notes
George Thalacker in speaking of the double drowning at Rice Lake said Laura Scharlau was his wife and that they were married at Duluth August 2 by a priest. She was 16 years old.

Barron County News Shield 9/6/17
Obituary
TWO DROWN AT RICE LAKE SUNDAY

LAURA SCHARLAU AND RACHEL STEWART CAPSIZED IN CANOE

Rice Lake was the scene of a double drowning Sunday afternoon about 4 o'clock when a canoe in which were seated George Thalacker, a soldier boy from Chetek, and two young ladies, Misses Laura Scharlau and Rachel Stewart of Rice Lake, capsized.

Boats and launches immediately put out for the scene, which was nearly across the lake, and succeeded in bringing all three to the surface in a short time but the young ladies were so far gone they showed no sign of life. Young Thalacker was still alive when pulled out of the water and was placed in the launch while the bodies of the two young ladies were tied to the launch and dragged to shore and then taken to the undertaker's. Thalacker regained consciousness and was able to ask what had become of the girls. He was told they were all right. Thalacker was very low but is recovering.

Thalacker was from Chetek and belonged to the new military company of Rice Lake. Having a broken arm he was off on a furlough. At the time of the accident it is said he and both of the young ladies were standing up in the boat. Thalacker is the young man who had to go away for an operation on his eyes before he was accepted for service.

By a curious coincidence County Clerk T.T. Hazelberg had just a day or two before the drowning received a letter from the mother of young Thalacker asking whether a marriage license had been granted him and Laura Scharlau. She said her son was under age and that the Scharlau girl was about fifteen.

Barron County News Shield
Last Modified 10 Jan 2011Created 17 Mar 2015 using Reunion for Macintosh