While this article, published on Friday May 25th refers to the drowning occurring on "Thursday last," the Ontario Death Registration for Ferdinand confirms that he accidentally drowned the previous week, on May 17th.
It was a great shock to the whole community when the news spread on Thursday evening last that Ferdinand Liebenthal, eldest son of Frank Liebenthal, perished in the Madawaska river. The victim had been working on the Combermere road, and after supper he and Garnet Easton got into a canoe to sail down to Proudfoot's store to get some provisions. On the way back -- near the bridge at Mr. Fred Krieger's -- the canoe upset in the current. Mr. Liebenthal jumped and made an effort to swim to the shore but it would seem the current was too strong and he turned back to the canoe. He reached the mark but was too exhausted to get into it. He sank beneath the treacherous waters and drowned. Mr. Easton stayed with the canoe until rescued by John Krieger and Thomas Phanenhaur.
