THE FLAGLER TRIBUNE
Bunnell, Florida
Thursday, August 22, 1946

 

John Miles Stiles, 17-year-old youth of Jacksonville and nephew of Mrs. Walter Knight of Flagler Beach, was drowned while water skiing on the St. Johns River near his home about noon last Monday.

The young man had been riding an aqua board towed by a motorboat occupied by his sister, Margaret Stiles, and a friend, W. A. (Billy) Hawley, 22,. Stiles had tumbled into the river and was treading water, waiting for the motorboat to return, when he called to Hawley for help, investigating officers reported.

Hawley plunged in and attempted to rescue Stiles, who apparently nearly exhausted, became panicky and disappeared.

Young Stiles and his sister visited at the Knight home here on a number of occasions and have many friends who will regret to learn of the tragedy.