Posted by Mike Wachter on July 12, 19100 at 12:19:25:
In Reply to: The Leo posted by Kathleen A. Lawler on June 27, 19100 at 12:33:28:
To our knowledge, the remains of the Leo have not been found. On September 24, 1899 the Lorain News Extra ran the following story on the loss of the Leo:
LORAIN NEWS EXTRA..
TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24. 1889.
SAD.
Our Quiet Little City in Mourning.
Nine Lives Lost in the Cruel Waters of Lake
Erie.
THEY START FOR CI.EVELAND SUNDAY AFTERNOON, IN THE YACHT LEO
But the Yacht Goes Down Four Miles
East of Rocky River.
One by One Their Bodies are Thrown up on the Shore by the Waves.
SORROW ON EVERY HAND AND BUSINESS AT A STANDSTILL.
PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE UNFORTUNATE MEN — FAMILIES LEFT BY NEARLY ALL OF THEM
Since Monday evening this community has been in a state of great excitement and deep sorrow over one of those catastrophes that fills everyone with horror and grief.
On Sunday afternoon the steam yacht Leo, which bad been recently purchased by some of our citizens started for Cleveland, leaving this place at 230 p. m. and having on board J. B. Tunte, L. D. Lawler, E. A. Lawler, Con. P. Ritter, Ben. Klein, S. E. Knight.
Capt. Sam Root, Fred Pelow and the engineer, name unknown The intention was to have the boat inspected and licensed. All of the party excepting Tunte and Lawhr went for pleasure and expected to return by rail Monday morning or evening at the latest. Monday morning none returned, but no anxiety was felt until they failed to appear in the evening. Little parties then gathered in different places and discussed the probabilities. Later in the evening a number of our people gathered at the office of John Stack and used the wires to discover if the yacht had been seen or heard of at Cleveland or elsewhere along the shore but news could be obtained and although there was still a small chance for hope nearly all were satisfied that she had gone with all on board. The next morning the wires were used-again with no better result and parties started out to look for traces of the wreck. One party started on the tug Chamberlain, but after proceeding as far as Avon Point returned without learning anything. About this time it was found that a young son of H. G. Brown who had spent Sunday at Avon had seen the boat turn the Point a little before 5 p. m. and about 20 minutes before the squall struck. In the meantime Messrs. Parks and Humbert who had started down the shore with horses reported by telegraph from Avon that she had been seen to pass the Point and that they were going on and would report again front River Bank. In the evening Mr. Humbert returned leaving Mr. Parks to proceed dawn the shore to Cleveland. Humbert reported that she was seen Sunday evening about 6 o’clock stand straight out into the wind and apparently not waking an inch. Later in the evening a telegram was received that the yacht Winifred had met her at 7 p. m. 2 miles east of Rocky River and she whistled all right. However, the fact remained, that although she was alright at 7 o’clock, and ought to have reached Cleveland by 8, nothing had been heard of or from them and with few exceptions our people gave up their last hope. A report also came that they were crying for help midway between Cleveland and Rocky River. Wednesday morning a party consisting of Henry Snyder for the 1. 0. 0. F. Ed. Van Orman, Amos Pelow and the writer went by rail to River Bank and thence along the shore, while H. D. Root, Walter Bonsor and Fred Pierce went to Whippoorwill and thence across to the beach a still others went on to the city intending to search the shore west from that point. The party starting from Rocky River found nothing whatever until they reached t place of Mr. H. W. Munhall where they overtook Root Bonsor and Pierce, and found a considerable amount of wreckage. Mr. Munhall was not at home at the time no but his man was found and told the following story: “About 3 o’clock Monday morning Mr. Munhall got up to let do down the window as it was blowing very cold. While he was doing this he heard loud cries for help from the direction oil lake and apparently 100 yards from the shore. He closed the window and ran down and opened the door and again heard loud cries for help seemingly from a dozen men. He then got a lantern, called me and we went to the shore, but when we got there we could neither see nor hear anything.”
The party then went on to Whites' Place where there is a small stretch of beach. Here we found more wreckage such pieces of the hull from 10 feet long down to a mere sliver while standing on this beach a coat washed ashore and was eagerly examined The figure was a very small check and the color was gray. There was nothing whatever in the pockets by which the owner could be identified, and none of the party recognized it. It was preserved by Henry Snyder who now in his possession. One-half of a life preserver also washed ashore but there was nothing about it to indicate where it came from. We then proceeded to bathing house in West Cleveland where found the canvas curtains belonging the yacht spread out on the beach and learned that E. A. Lawler and Con, Ritter had been found. Ed Lawler was found about 500 feet west of the bathing house at about 9 o’clock Wednesday morning, and Ritter was found among the rocks that have been thrown over to protect the shore. Heads are bent in sorrow today. He was widely known for his integrity, honesty and business capacity, having nearly all
the marine trade at this, port. Two children are left to mourn the loss of a kind and loving father. Thanks to his thoughtful provisions in way of life insurance, they although orphans, are not destitute. Yes, J. B. Tunte is dead and no more shall we receive that kindly greeting. No more will the struggling youth look to him for aid or advice. Never again shall we see that genial face on our streets. Blessed be his memory and the prayer of many a struggling mariner on the sea of life is that his mantle may fail on some citizen equally a, worthy.
The funeral service of J. B. Tunte was held in Cleveland Sunday afternoon at 2 o’clock. The different lodges of this place and the Masons of Amherst attended in a body, going by special train via. Nickel Plate, also a goodly number of our citizens. We understand there were 280 tickets sold at this place.
Eight of Lorain residents last Sunday took passage in the boat that carried them to their death. Nine men in good health and in the prime of life suddenly hurled into eternity is an occurrence that would shock any community, and in this case respected citizens and men whom all, residents of Lorain met almost every day adds to its horror, None of us on last Sunday night dreamed of the agony those nine men must have experienced The battle between hope and despair that lasted until the craft went to pieces. None of us suspected that the cruel waters of Lake Erie that night would Ill our homes with sorrow and take from us our loved ones. But cruel fate would have it thus. To the homes that are desolate no consolation can come from words of sympathy, they do not take the place of our friends. ‘The on1y bright spot seems to be that there were not more of us with them "Requiescat in pace."