Interesting.... I sure have no clue as to who the unfortunate man was or why he ended up in your family plot. The story I got was from Cecil Laub(spelling????) the one time harbor master at Fisherman's cove. I thought the suicide occurred was in the 1950s. The story goes Cecil ( a fisherman) had a seaworthy boat and so was asked if he could go out and recover the body. He recalled bottles on the floor and a shot gun rigged up for the suicide. He also recalled gruesome evidence of the island's vole population that had chewed on the body. I guess it had been awhile since the poor fellow killed himself. I don't know if that is a different incident from the 1944 one. There's a chapter in Maritime Tales of Lake Ontario published by Arcadia ten years ago on Main Duck. In it I reference some newspaper clips that say Cole died in 38. so I guess Dulles had it after that. Maybe Cecil did go out there in 1944. Memories are tricky and mine isn't good!!! Thanks for the interesting tidbit - Cole of course had Cape Vincent connections. It's a logical jump off point for Americans to go to Main Duck.
Recently, as in October of this year, I unearthed a gravestone on my family’s plot in Riverside Cemetery, Cape Vincent, NY. It was a man by the name of Jacob Dreve. He died in Feb of 1944 and his obit states he was found dead in his hut on Main Duck Island. He was 69 and was the caretaker of the island. Dulles’ custodian John Hart found him while delivering supplies. He is said to have died by his own hand. I wonder where you sourced the 1956 suicide reference. I would love to know why he was buried in my family’s plot.
Interesting.... I sure have no clue as to who the unfortunate man was or why he ended up in your family plot. The story I got was from Cecil Laub(spelling????) the one time harbor master at Fisherman's cove. I thought the suicide occurred was in the 1950s. The story goes Cecil ( a fisherman) had a seaworthy boat and so was asked if he could go out and recover the body. He recalled bottles on the floor and a shot gun rigged up for the suicide. He also recalled gruesome evidence of the island's vole population that had chewed on the body. I guess it had been awhile since the poor fellow killed himself. I don't know if that is a different incident from the 1944 one. There's a chapter in Maritime Tales of Lake Ontario published by Arcadia ten years ago on Main Duck. In it I reference some newspaper clips that say Cole died in 38. so I guess Dulles had it after that. Maybe Cecil did go out there in 1944. Memories are tricky and mine isn't good!!! Thanks for the interesting tidbit - Cole of course had Cape Vincent connections. It's a logical jump off point for Americans to go to Main Duck.
Recently, as in October of this year, I unearthed a gravestone on my family’s plot in Riverside Cemetery, Cape Vincent, NY. It was a man by the name of Jacob Dreve. He died in Feb of 1944 and his obit states he was found dead in his hut on Main Duck Island. He was 69 and was the caretaker of the island. Dulles’ custodian John Hart found him while delivering supplies. He is said to have died by his own hand. I wonder where you sourced the 1956 suicide reference. I would love to know why he was buried in my family’s plot.
Good essay. I’ve heard you speak of Duck Island many times.
glad you enjoyed it. Several boaters I know think Main Duck should be an independent Republic!! It's a fascinating little world...
Sounds like a good size for a republic of free spirits.