From The Laurel Outlook, Laurel, Montana, Wednesday, April 4, 1934:

"Heart Attack Snuffs out the life of Perry Waugh As He Rows Across Yellowstone"

""I'm going!" shouted Perry Waugh.

He stood up convulsively in a row boat that bobbed and careened on the swiftly moving Yellowstone. Then he fell, and the frail craft was quickly swept into the darkness. Ernest Wilson, lantern in hand, stood on the bank and peered into the shadows. Only the never-ending murmur of the river answered the frantic calls from the shores, Through the night the searchers hunted along the south bank. At the dawn they found the little boat, grounded in a tiny cove a few miles down stream. In it lay Perry Waugh, dead.

The river that had been his companion and playfellow for so many years had become his deathbed.

Perry had been in Laurel Tuesday afternoon. He visited old haunts, talked with friends of 35 years standing, ate at a restaurant at about 7:30, and in the darkness took purchases of groceries to his craft waiting for him on the north bank of the Yellowstone at the site of the old red bridge, two and a half miles southwest of Laurel. Many times in 35 years of residence had he pulled across the Yellowstone, To some people the river was dangerous. Not to Perry. He knew its racing current, swirls and undercurrents.

He rowed on. He neared the south shore. A little way off was the deep hole where he had so often fished with an old crony. Maybe he thought of a visit soon, when the fish would be biting.

Suddenly his heart bothered him. His arms and egs seemed made of lead. The shore was only a little way off, and Perry could see the beacon lantern of Wilson who awaited him.

In a trice the stricken man realized the end was upon him. Galvanized by the knowledge, he leaped to his feet, shouted, tottered, fell.

Waiting on the bank, Wilson heard the brief message, saw the fall. The boat, uncontrolled, whirled and moved into the darkness. Wilson did not know whether Waugh remained in the boat or had fallen into the river. The latter seemed most likely. Then came the search and the ultimate discovery. When the boat was found, Waugh lay sprawled upon the groceries in the bottom of the boat. Authorities said death was due to heart failure..."