Mrs. Douglas Adkerson
Body of Woman Recovered, Search Continues at High Falls for Missing Man.
Searching operations are continuing at High Falls for the body of W. P. Strickland, about 60, 103 South 14th St., Griffin, believed to have drowned Wednesday afternoon, November 11, in a boating accident which claimed the life of his companion, Mrs. Douglas Adkerson, 40, of Griffin. The body of Mrs. Adkerson was found floating in shallow water late Friday afternoon by a party of duck hunters. Butts county Coroner Joel H. Crane ruled death due to "exposure and drowning."
Mr. Strickland and Mrs. Adkerson were last seen alive Wednesday afternoon when they started on a boat trip across the 1,100 acre lake to visit a grocery store to purchase food. The supplies were bought and the mishap is believed to have occurred on the return trip.
Mr. Adkerson, who accompanied his wife and Mr. Strickland to the lake for a day of fishing, reported the tragedy when his companions failed to return. Officers from four counties, Butts, Spalding, Monroe and Lamar, supplemented by State Patrolmen from the Griffin office, began the search Tuesday morning and are continuing it to date.
The upturned boat was discovered Thursday morning and led investigators to believe the boat struck some underwater obstruction and overturned, casting the two passengers into the icy water about dusk on Wednesday. The lake, a favorite site of Griffin anglers, is covered with trees and stumps an is generally regarded as dangerous for motor boating.
The body of Mrs. Adkerson was taken to Haisten Brothers Funeral Home in Griffin. Interment has since been held. Mrs. Adkerson is survived by her husband, two sons, mother, five brothers and two sisters.
Sheriff J. D. "Bud" Pope of Butts county reported that dragging operations over the entire lake have already been completed, and that every effort is being made to recover the body of Strickland.

(Jackson Progress-Argus, November 19, 1953)

Submitted by V. S. Harrison